The bill H. 5120 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding the confidentiality of juvenile records and the handling of juvenile offenses. It specifically modifies Section 63-19-2020 to clarify the circumstances under which a school principal must be notified about a child's case disposition for certain serious offenses, including violent crimes and drug trafficking. Additionally, it outlines the procedures for maintaining and transmitting juvenile fingerprint records and photographs, emphasizing their confidentiality and the limited circumstances under which they can be shared with other agencies.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 63-19-2030 to specify when law enforcement must provide incident reports to school principals regarding children charged with serious offenses. It establishes that these records must be kept separate from adult records and mandates that incident reports be maintained in a confidential manner. The bill also includes provisions for the fingerprinting and photographing of juveniles taken into custody, ensuring that such records are handled with care and only shared for specific criminal justice purposes. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the protection of juvenile records while ensuring that necessary information is communicated to relevant parties for safety and legal compliance.

Statutes affected:
02/05/2026: 63-19-2020, 63-19-2030
Latest Version: 63-19-2020, 63-19-2030