The bill H. 5118 aims to amend several sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws related to juvenile justice proceedings. Key changes include the requirement for comprehensive assessments as part of juvenile evaluations, which will now include a detailed biopsychosocial assessment of the child's social, physical, and mental health functioning. Additionally, the bill stipulates that no child or juvenile aged eighteen or older will be detained in a juvenile detention facility; instead, they must be transported to a county detention center upon reaching that age.

Further amendments clarify the commitment process for juveniles, specifying that children under the age of twelve can only be committed to non-institutional environments, while those aged twelve to seventeen can be committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice. The bill also outlines the conditions under which juveniles can be evaluated and committed, including provisions for community evaluations and the criteria for release based on good behavior. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the juvenile justice system by ensuring more thorough evaluations and appropriate placements for juveniles.

Statutes affected:
02/05/2026: 63-19-360
Latest Version: 63-19-360