The bill H. 5181, titled "Egypt's Law," seeks to amend Section 16-3-5 of the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding the prosecution of homicide cases. Currently, individuals who cause bodily injury resulting in death are not criminally responsible if at least three years pass between the injury and the death. The proposed amendment extends this time frame to ten years, allowing for prosecution if the victim dies as a result of the injury within that period.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that defendants retain the right to assert defenses related to causation and other relevant issues during trial. This change aims to hold individuals accountable for their actions over a longer period, reflecting a shift in how the law addresses the consequences of violent acts. The bill is currently under consideration by the House Committee on Judiciary.

Statutes affected:
02/12/2026: 16-3-5
Latest Version: 16-3-5