The bill S. 823 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding new sections that require family courts to evaluate the necessity of no-contact or supervised-contact orders when terminating parental rights or finalizing adoptions. Specifically, the bill introduces definitions for "contact," "no-contact order," and "supervised-contact order," and mandates that courts consider the child's safety, welfare, and attachment to their adoptive family when making these determinations. If the court finds that such orders are not necessary, it must provide written findings to support that decision.

Additionally, the bill outlines the enforcement of these orders, stating that violations may lead to civil contempt or criminal investigations. It specifies that these orders remain in effect until the child turns eighteen unless modified or terminated by the court. The legislation also clarifies that while the orders restrain biological parents or relatives, they do not prevent the child from initiating contact. The bill emphasizes the importance of considering the child's best interests in any modifications to the orders.

Statutes affected:
01/15/2026: 63-7-2630
01/22/2026: 63-7-2630
Latest Version: 63-7-2630