The bill H. 5121 aims to establish a Community Juvenile Crime Prevention Program in South Carolina by adding Article 25 to Chapter 19, Title 63 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. This program will allow public or private nonprofit entities to be certified by the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide services and activities designed to prevent juvenile crime and delinquency. The bill outlines the certification process, which includes adherence to nationally recognized quality standards, and mandates the department to maintain a registry of certified programs on its website. Additionally, it establishes a civil penalty for any unlicensed program that falsely claims certification.

The legislation emphasizes the importance of connecting at-risk youth with community-based prevention and intervention services, aiming to foster long-term success and lawful lives. It includes specific requirements for certification, such as documentation of good standing, compliance with IRS regulations, and comprehensive child protection policies. The bill also clarifies that non-certified programs may still operate but prohibits them from misrepresenting their status, with penalties for violations ranging from $100 to $500 per occurrence. The act will take effect 180 days after receiving the Governor's approval.