S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-920 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-920
SECTION 63-7-920. Investigations and case determination.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) Within twenty-four hours of the receipt of a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, the department must begin an appropriate and thorough investigation to decide whether the report should be "indicated" or "unfounded" when the department concludes the report alleges that: (a) a child is at imminent and substantial risk of physical or mental injury due to abuse, neglect, or harm; (b) the family may flee or the child may be unavailable for purposes of conducting a child protective services investigation; or (c) the department has assumed legal custody of a child pursuant to Section 63-7-660 or 63-7-670 or the department has been notified that a child has been taken into emergency protective custody. (2) The department must begin an appropriate and thorough investigation of all reports of suspected child abuse or neglect that do not meet criteria established in subsection (A)(1) within two business days of receiving the report to determine whether the report should be "indicated" or "unfounded". (3) The finding must be made no later than forty-five days from the receipt of the report. A single extension of no more than fifteen days may be granted by the director of the department, or the director's designee, for good cause shown, pursuant to guidelines adopted by the department. (4) If the investigation cannot be completed because the department is unable to locate the child or family or for other compelling reasons, the report may be classified as unfounded Category III and the investigation may be reopened at a later date if the child or family is located or the compelling reason for failure to complete the investigation is removed. The department must make a finding within forty-five days after the investigation is reopened. (B) The department may file with the family court an affidavit and a petition to support issuance of a warrant at any time after receipt of a report. The family court must issue the warrant if the affidavit and petition establish probable cause to believe the child is an abused or neglected child and that the investigation cannot be completed without issuance of the warrant. The warrant may authorize the department to interview the child, to inspect the condition of the child, to inspect the premises where the child may be located or may reside, and to obtain copies of medical, school, or other records concerning the child. (C) The department or law enforcement, or both, may interview the child alleged to have been abused or neglected and any other child in the household during the investigation. The interviews may be conducted on school premises, at childcare facilities, at the child's home or at other suitable locations and in the discretion of the department or law enforcement, or both, may be conducted outside the presence of the parents. To the extent reasonably possible, the needs and interests of the child must be accommodated in making arrangements for interviews, including time, place, method of obtaining the child's presence, and conduct of the interview. The department or law enforcement, or both, shall provide notification of the interview to the parents as soon as reasonably possible during the investigation if notice will not jeopardize the safety of the child or the course of the investigation. All state, law enforcement, and community agencies providing child welfare intervention into a child's life should coordinate their services to minimize the number of interviews of the child to reduce potential emotional trauma to the child. (D) The department must furnish to parents or guardians on a standardized form the following information as soon as reasonably possible after commencing the investigation: (1) the names of the investigators; (2) the allegations being investigated; (3) whether the person's name has been recorded by the department as a suspected perpetrator of abuse or neglect; (4) the right to inspect department records concerning the investigation; (5) statutory and family court remedies available to complete the investigation and to protect the child if the parent or guardian or subject of the report indicates a refusal to cooperate; (6) how information provided by the parent or guardian may be used; (7) the possible outcomes of the investigation; and (8) the telephone number and name of a department employee available to answer questions. (E) This subarticle does not require the department to investigate reports of child abuse or neglect which resulted in the death of the child unless there are other children residing in the home, or a resident of the home is pregnant, or the subject of the report is the parent, guardian, or person responsible for the welfare of another child regardless of whether that child resides in the home. (F) The department or law enforcement, or both, may collect information concerning the military affiliation of the person having custody or control of the child subject to an investigation and may share this information with the appropriate military authorities pursuant to Section 63-11-80. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 62, SECTION 2, added (F). 2023 Act No. 33, SECTION 2, rewrote (A).
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-570 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 63-3-570
SECTION 63-3-570. Service of summons.
Status: in_force

Service of summons and any process of the court shall be made as provided by law for service in the court of common pleas. Provided, that if the judge is satisfied that it is impracticable to serve personally the summons or the process, he may order service by registered or certified mail, addressed to the last known address, or by publication thereof, or both. It shall be sufficient to confer jurisdiction if service is effected at least forty-eight hours before the time fixed in the summons or process for the return thereof. Service of summons, process or notice required by this title may be made by any suitable person under the direction of the court, and upon request of the court shall be made by any peace officer.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1860 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 13 / Section 63-17-1860
SECTION 63-17-1860. Hearing.
Status: in_force

(A) At any hearing contesting proposed income withholding based on a support order entered under Section 63-17-1840, the entered order, accompanying sworn or certified statement, and a certified copy of an order for withholding, if any, still in effect constitutes prima facie proof, without further proof or foundation, that the support order is valid, that the amount of current support payments and arrearages is as stated, and that the obligee is entitled to income withholding under the law of the jurisdiction which issued the support order. (B) Once a prima facie case is established, the grounds that may be raised by an obligor to contest the withholding are limited to dispute concerning the identity of the obligor or the existence or amount of the arrearage. The burden is on the obligor to establish these defenses. The burden is on the obligor to establish these defenses. (C) If the obligor presents evidence which constitutes a full or partial defense, the court shall, on the request of the obligee, continue the case to permit further evidence relative to the defense to be adduced by either party but if the obligor acknowledges liability sufficient to entitle the obligee to income withholding, the court shall require income withholding for the payment of current support payments under the support order and of so much of any arrearage as is not in dispute, while continuing the case with respect to those matters still in dispute. The court shall determine those matters still in dispute as soon as possible, and if appropriate shall modify the withholding order to conform to that resolution but may not modify the underlying support order. (D) In addition to other procedural devices available to a party, any party to the proceeding or a guardian ad litem or other representative of the child may adduce testimony of witnesses in another state, including the parties and any of the children, by deposition, by written discovery, by photographic discovery such as videotaped depositions, or by personal appearance before the court by telephone or photographic means. The court on its own motion may direct that the testimony of a person be taken in another state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms upon which the testimony must be taken. (E) A court of this State may request the appropriate court or agency of another state to hold a hearing to adduce evidence, to permit a deposition to be taken before the court or agency, to order a party to produce or give evidence under other procedures of that state, and to forward to the court of this State certified copies of the evidence adduced in compliance with the request. (F) Upon request of a court or agency of another state the family courts of this State may order a person in this State to appear at a hearing or deposition before the court to adduce evidence or to produce or give evidence under other procedures available in this State. A certified copy of the evidence adduced, such as a transcript or videotape, must be forwarded by the clerk of the court to the requesting court or agency. (G) A person within this State may voluntarily testify by statement or affidavit in this State for use in a proceeding to obtain income withholding outside this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-550 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-550
SECTION 63-15-550. Termination by operation of law of temporary grant of custodial responsibility established by court order.
Status: in_force

(A) A temporary order for custodial responsibility issued pursuant to Subarticle 3 shall terminate, if no agreement between the parties to terminate a temporary order for custodial responsibility has been filed, sixty days from the date of the deploying parent's giving notice of having returned from deployment to the other parent and any nonparent granted custodial responsibility. (B) Any proceedings seeking to prevent termination of a temporary order for custodial responsibility are governed by the law of this State other than this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-2610 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 7 / Section 63-7-2610
SECTION 63-7-2610. Effect on adoption laws.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article do not, except as specifically provided, modify or supersede the general adoption laws of this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-680 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 6 / Section 63-5-680
SECTION 63-5-680. Exemption of third person from liability.
Status: in_force

A third person in good faith and without court order may act on the instructions of or otherwise deal with any person purporting to make a transfer or purporting to act in the capacity of a custodian and, in the absence of knowledge, is not responsible for determining: (1) the validity of the purported custodian's designation; (2) the propriety of, or the authority under this article for, any act of the purported custodian; (3) the validity or propriety under this article of any instrument or instructions executed or given either by the person purporting to make a transfer or by the purported custodian; or (4) the propriety of the application of any property of the minor delivered to the purported custodian.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-1780 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 7 / Section 63-9-1780
SECTION 63-9-1780. Eligibility for supplemental benefits.
Status: in_force

Only certain children who have been certified as eligible for supplemental benefits may receive payments for medical, rehabilitative, or other treatment services under their supplemental benefits certification. To receive these payments, a child shall fall into one of the following categories: (1) receiving payments for medical, rehabilitative, or other treatment services immediately before adoption for a physical, mental, or emotional condition; (2) identified before adoption as being at a high risk for developing a physical, mental, or emotional condition in the future; or (3) with a physical, mental, or emotional condition diagnosed after adoption if the condition existed before adoption but was not recognized or if substantial risk factors for the condition existed before adoption but were not recognized.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-150 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 63-13-150
SECTION 63-13-150. Violation citations.
Status: in_force

At any time the department cites a childcare center, group childcare home, or family childcare home for a violation of this chapter or regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter, the department shall provide the owner and operator of the center with a brochure stating, in language easily understood, the rights and procedures available to the owner or operator for a hearing in accordance with the department's fair hearing regulations and the rights and procedures available to appeal a decision rendered under the department's fair hearing process.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1420 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 11 / Section 63-17-1420
SECTION 63-17-1420. Orders for support subject to withholding notice.
Status: in_force

(A) For all Title IV-D cases in which support orders are issued or modified after October 31, 1990, and for all nontitle IV-D cases in which support orders are issued or modified after January 3, 1994, the income of an obligor is subject to immediate withholding as of the effective date of the order without the requirement that an arrearage accumulate. However, income is not subject to withholding if: (1) one of the parties demonstrates and the court finds that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding; or (2) a written agreement is reached between both parties which provides for an alternative arrangement. (B) All orders for support entered or modified in the State before October 1, 1996, if not otherwise subject to wage withholding, are subject to withholding if a delinquency occurs without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. These orders must be construed to contain this withholding provision even if the provision has been omitted from the written order; however, the court may order withholding to begin immediately for good cause shown. The court is required to make specified written findings to support immediate withholding. (C) Income withholding must be initiated in all Title IV-D cases upon the request of the obligee without the necessity of a delinquency, if the State approves the request in accordance with the procedures and standards as it may establish. If the obligee requests income withholding pursuant to this section, notice of the request must be provided to the obligor by the clerk of court, and if the obligor objects to the income withholding within ten days after the postmarked date of the notice, a hearing must be held, and the family court shall subject the obligor's income to withholding unless the court finds that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding. Where there is no objection by the obligor after proper notice, the clerk of court shall implement immediate income withholding. (D) If an obligor, whose wages are not withheld and who is not required to pay through the family court, is found to be, or is found to have been, delinquent pursuant to an order for support in an amount equal to three or more month's support obligation, the clerk of court must order the obligor's wages enrolled for wage withholding to begin immediately for the payment of the obligor's support obligation, even if the arrearage has been fully or partially paid at the time of the hearing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3940 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3940
SECTION 63-17-3940. Contest of registered convention support order.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this part, Sections 63-17-3710 through 63-17-3740 apply to a contest of a registered convention support order. (B) A party contesting a registered convention support order shall file a contest not later than thirty days after notice of the registration, but if the contesting party does not reside in the United States, the contest must be filed not later than sixty days after notice of the registration. (C) If the nonregistering party fails to contest the registered convention support order by the time specified in subsection (B), the order is enforceable. (D) A contest of a registered convention support order may be based only on grounds set forth in Section 63-17-3945. The contesting party bears the burden of proof. (E) In a contest of a registered convention support order, a tribunal of this State: (1) is bound by the findings of fact on which the foreign tribunal based its jurisdiction; and (2) may not review the merits of the order. (F) A tribunal of this State deciding a contest of a registered convention support order shall promptly notify the parties of its decision. (G) A challenge or appeal, if any, does not stay the enforcement of a convention support order unless there are exceptional circumstances.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3510 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3510
SECTION 63-17-3510. Mailing order to employer.
Status: in_force

An income-withholding order issued in another state may be sent by or on behalf of the obligee, or by the support enforcement agency, to the person defined as the obligor's employer under Articles 11, 13, and 15 without first filing a petition or comparable pleading or registering the order with a tribunal of this State. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, reenacted this section with no change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-50 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 63-3-50
SECTION 63-3-50. Compensation of judges.
Status: in_force

Family court judges shall receive such compensation as shall be provided by the General Assembly. The compensation of a family court judge shall not be reduced during his term of office. All family court judges shall also receive such subsistence and mileage as may be authorized by law for circuit court judges while holding court without the county in which the judge resides.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-430 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 63-19-430
SECTION 63-19-430. Bumper sticker sales.
Status: in_force

The department may print or purchase for resale bumper stickers and other informational material prepared to publicize and educate the public concerning activities of the department. All these materials must have "South Carolina" inscribed on the material. After the costs of the materials have been recovered, all proceeds from the sale of the materials must be deposited in the student welfare fund of the department and used for the purposes prescribed for that fund.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-820 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 7 / Section 63-19-820
SECTION 63-19-820. Out-of-home placement.
Status: repealed

(A) When the officer who took the child into custody determines that placement of a juvenile outside the home is necessary, the authorized representative of the Department of Juvenile Justice shall make a diligent effort to place the child in an approved home, program, or facility, other than a secure juvenile detention facility, when these alternatives are appropriate and available. (B) A child is eligible for detention in a secure juvenile detention facility only if the child: (1) is charged with a violent crime as defined in Section 16-1-60; (2) is charged with a crime which, if committed by an adult, would be a felony or a misdemeanor other than a violent crime, and the child: (a) is already detained or on probation or conditional release or is awaiting adjudication in connection with another delinquency proceeding; (b) has a demonstrable recent record of wilful failures to appear at court proceedings; (c) has a demonstrable recent record of violent conduct resulting in physical injury to others; or (d) has a demonstrable recent record of adjudications for other felonies or misdemeanors; and (i) there is reason to believe the child is a flight risk or poses a threat of serious harm to others; or (ii) the instant offense involved the use of a firearm; (3) is a fugitive from another jurisdiction; (4) requests protection in writing under circumstances that present an immediate threat of serious physical injury; (5) had in his possession a deadly weapon; (6) has a demonstrable recent record of wilful failure to comply with prior placement orders including, but not limited to, a house arrest order; (7) has no suitable alternative placement and it is determined that detention is in the child's best interest or is necessary to protect the child or public, or both; or (8) is charged with an assault and battery or an assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature on school grounds or at a school-sponsored event against any person affiliated with the school in an official capacity. A child who meets the criteria provided in this subsection is eligible for detention. Detention is not mandatory for a child meeting the criteria if that child can be supervised adequately at home or in a less secure setting or program. If the officer does not consent to the release of the child, the parents or other responsible adult may apply to the family court within the circuit for an ex parte order of release of the child. The officer's written report must be furnished to the family court judge who may establish conditions for the release. (C) No child may be placed in secure confinement or ordered detained by the court in secure confinement in an adult jail or other place of detention for adults for more than six hours. However, the prohibition against the secure confinement of juveniles in adult jails does not apply to juveniles who have been waived to the court of general sessions for the purpose of standing trial as an adult. Juveniles placed in secure confinement in an adult jail during this six-hour period must be confined in an area of the jail which is separated by sight and sound from adults similarly confined. (D) Temporary holdover facilities may hold juveniles during the period between initial custody and the initial detention hearing before a family court judge for a period up to forty-eight hours, excluding weekends and state holidays. (E) A child who is taken into custody because of a violation of law which would not be a criminal offense under the laws of this State if committed by an adult must not be placed or ordered detained in an adult detention facility. A child who is taken into custody because of a violation of the law which would not be a criminal offense under the laws of this State if committed by an adult must not be placed or ordered detained more than twenty-four hours in a juvenile detention facility, unless an order previously has been issued by the court, of which the child has notice and which notifies the child that further violation of the court's order may result in the secure detention of that child in a juvenile detention facility. If a juvenile is ordered detained for violating a valid court order, the juvenile may be held in secure confinement in a juvenile detention facility for not more than seventy-two hours, excluding weekends and holidays. However, nothing in this section precludes a law enforcement officer from taking a status offender into custody. (F) Children ten years of age and younger must not be incarcerated in a jail or detention facility for any reason. Children eleven or twelve years of age who are taken into custody for a violation of law which would be a criminal offense under the laws of this State if committed by an adult or who violates conditions of probation for such an offense must be incarcerated in a jail or detention facility only by order of the family court. (G) For purposes of this section, "adult jail" or other place of detention for adults includes a state, county, or municipal police station, law enforcement lockup, or holding cell. "Secure confinement" means an area having bars or other restraints designed to hold one person or a group of persons at a law enforcement location for any period of time and for any reason. Secure confinement in an adult jail or other place of detention does not include a room or a multipurpose area within the law enforcement center which is not secured by locks or other security devices. Rooms or areas of this type include lobbies, offices, and interrogation rooms. Juveniles held in these areas are considered to be in nonsecure custody as long as the room or area is not designed for or intended for use as a residential area, the juvenile is not handcuffed to a stationary object while in the room or area, and the juvenile is under continuous visual supervision by facility staff while in this room or area which is located within the law enforcement center. Secure confinement also does not include a room or area used by law enforcement for processing "booking" purposes, irrespective of whether it is determined to be secure or nonsecure, as long as the juvenile's confinement in the area is limited to the time necessary to fingerprint, photograph, or otherwise "book" the juvenile in accordance with state law. Editor's Note 2010 Act No. 273, SECTION 7.C, provides: "Wherever in the 1976 Code of Laws reference is made to the common law offense of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, it means assault and battery with intent to kill, as contained in repealed Section 16-3-620, and, except for references in Section 16-1-60 and Section 17-25-45, wherever in the 1976 Code reference is made to assault and battery with intent to kill, it means attempted murder as defined in Section 16-3-29."
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-765 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-765
SECTION 63-7-765. Required disclosure of information to kinship care providers.
Status: in_force

Prior to and at the time the department places a child with a relative providing kinship care following the removal of the child from the home, the department shall disclose to the relative all information known by the person making the placement or reasonably accessible to the person making the placement that is necessary to provide adequate care and supervision for the child and to protect the health and safety of the child and the relative's family. The information that must be disclosed to the relative pursuant to this section includes, but is not limited to, medical and mental health conditions and history of the child, the nature of abuse or neglect to which the child has been subjected, behavioral strengths and challenges, and matters related to the child's educational needs. If the department does not have this information at the time of making the placement, a member of the child's casework team or the child's caseworker shall contact the relative and provide the information known to the casework team or reasonably accessible during the first working day following the placement. The child's caseworker shall research the child's record and shall supplement the information provided to the relative no later than the end of the first week of placement if additional information is found. When the child's caseworker acquires new information which is likely to affect either the ability of the relative to provide adequate care and supervision for the child or is likely to place the health and safety of the child or the relative's family at risk, the department shall disclose that information to the relative. The obligation to provide this information continues until the placement ends.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2410 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 23 / Section 63-19-2410
SECTION 63-19-2410. Misrepresentation of age for admission to theater.
Status: in_force

A minor who gains admission to any theater by falsely claiming to be eighteen years of age or older is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than fifty dollars.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1080 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 7 / Section 63-17-1080
SECTION 63-17-1080. Social Security numbers to be provided.
Status: in_force

An applicant for a license or for renewal of a license shall submit the applicant's social security number, or the alien identification number assigned to a resident alien who does not have a social security number, to the licensing entity which must be recorded on the application.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-1020 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 9 / Section 63-13-1020
SECTION 63-13-1020. Registration and inspections.
Status: in_force

The childcare operator shall submit a formal request for inspection of the childcare facility to the department. The department shall request the appropriate state health and fire safety agencies to conduct an inspection of the facility before renewal of the registration and more often if necessary to ensure compliance with health and fire safety regulations. The department shall register the childcare facility upon notification from health and fire safety agencies that the childcare facility is in compliance with these regulations and the requirements of Section 63-13-1010. The applicable regulations must be the same health and fire safety regulations applied to other facilities regulated under this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2420 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 23 / Section 63-19-2420
SECTION 63-19-2420. Loitering in a billiard room.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for a person under eighteen years of age to loiter in a billiard or pocket billiard room or to play billiards or pocket billiards in a billiard room unless accompanied by the person's parent or guardian or with the written consent of the person's parent or guardian. A person violating this section or Chapter 11 of Title 52 or any billiard room proprietor or manager who permits such a violation must be fined not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars or be imprisoned not less than two days nor more than thirty days. In the event the keeper of a billiard room is of the opinion that a person desiring admission is under the age of eighteen years the keeper shall require the person to certify the person's age in writing. It is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars, for a minor to make a false certificate of age or use a forged permit from the minor's parent or guardian.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-720 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 63-11-720
SECTION 63-11-720. Functions and powers of local boards.
Status: in_force

(A) The functions and powers of local foster care review boards are: (1) to review once every six months the cases of children who have resided in public foster care for a period of more than four consecutive months to determine what efforts have been made by the supervising agency or child caring facility to acquire a permanent home for the child. Once probable cause has been established to retain the child in foster care, the local review board shall have the discretion to review the case of any child who has been subjected to aggravated circumstances as set forth in Section 63-7-1640(C). Under no circumstances shall the local foster care review board review a child's case more than three times in a twelve month period; (2) following review of a case pursuant to this section, the local foster care review board shall submit a written report and recommendations to the court concerning the case, which shall be addressed on the record by the court at the next permanency planning hearing pursuant to Section 63-7-1700(C)(1). In order for the report and recommendations of the Foster Care Review Board to be easily identifiable and accessible by the judge, the report and recommendations must be visually distinct from other documents in the case file in their coloring or other prominent aspect. A child's return home for temporary placements, trial placements, visits, holidays, weekend visits, or changes from one foster care placement to another must not be construed to mean a break or lapse in determination of a consecutive four-month period for children in public foster care; (3) to encourage the return of children to their natural parents, or, upon determination during a case review of the local review board that this return is not in the best interest of the child, to recommend to the appropriate agency action be taken for a maximum effort to place the child for adoption; (4) to promote and encourage all agencies and facilities involved in placing children in foster care to place children with persons suitable and eligible as adoptive parents; (5) to advise foster parents of their right to petition the family court for termination of parental rights and for adoption and to encourage these foster parents to initiate these proceedings in an appropriate case when it has been determined by the local review board that return to the natural parent is not in the best interest of the child; (6) to recommend that a child caring facility or agency exert all possible efforts to make arrangements for permanent foster care or guardianship for children for whom return to natural parents or adoption is not feasible or possible as determined during a case review by the local review board; (7) to report to the state office of the Department of Social Services and other adoptive or foster care agencies any deficiencies in these agencies' efforts to secure permanent homes for children discovered in the local board's review of these cases as provided for in item (1). (B) Any case findings or recommendations of a local review board are advisory. Effect of Amendment 2016 Act No. 238, SECTION 5, rewrote the section, changing certain functions or powers, including the frequency with which boards must review foster care cases.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1010 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 7 / Section 63-17-1010
SECTION 63-17-1010. License revocation.
Status: in_force

In addition to other qualifications necessary for holding a license, an individual who is under an order for child support also is subject to the provisions of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-516 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-516
SECTION 63-15-516. Nature of authority created by agreement.
Status: in_force

(A) An agreement under this subarticle is temporary and terminates pursuant to Subarticle 4 following the return from deployment of the deployed parent, unless the agreement has been terminated before that time by court order or modification of the agreement pursuant to Section 63-15-518. The agreement derives from the parent's custodial responsibility and does not create an independent, continuing right to caretaking authority, decision-making authority, or limited contact in an individual to whom custodial responsibility is given. (B) A nonparent given caretaking authority, decision-making authority, or limited contact by an agreement under this subarticle has standing to enforce the agreement until it has been terminated pursuant to an agreement of the parents under Section 63-15-518, under Subarticle 4, or by court order.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-350 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-350
SECTION 63-15-350. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this subarticle: (1) "Petitioner" means a person who seeks enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination. (2) "Respondent" means a person against whom a proceeding has been commenced for enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-2160 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 15 / Section 63-17-2160
SECTION 63-17-2160. Priority of order.
Status: in_force

(A) A court order which requires income withholding pursuant to this article has priority over all other legal processes under state law against money, income, or periodic earnings of the noncustodial parent except an order of income withholding for child support. (B) A person under a court order to provide and maintain health care coverage as of July 1, 1994, is subject to the income withholding for health coverage provisions of this article. The only ground to contest an order of income withholding for health coverage is a mistake of fact. If the person contests the withholding because of a mistake of fact, the court shall provide the person an opportunity to present his or her case. The court shall determine whether to order withholding and shall notify the person of the determination and, if appropriate, the time period in which withholding will commence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3540 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3540
SECTION 63-17-3540. Immunity.
Status: in_force

An employer that complies with an income-withholding order issued in another state in accordance with this part is not subject to civil liability to an individual or agency with regard to the employer's withholding of child support from the obligor's income. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, substituted "employer that complies" for "employer who complies".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-2200 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 11 / Section 63-9-2200
SECTION 63-9-2200. Compact enacted.
Status: in_force

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children is hereby enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein in form substantially as follows: INTERSTATE COMPACT ON THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN Subsection 1. Purpose and Policy: It is the purpose and policy of the party states to cooperate with each other in the interstate placement of children to the end that: (a) Each child requiring placement shall receive the maximum opportunity to be placed in a suitable environment and with persons or institutions having appropriate qualifications and facilities to provide a necessary and desirable degree and type of care. (b) The appropriate authorities in a state where a child is to be placed may have full opportunity to ascertain the circumstances of the proposed placement, thereby promoting full compliance with applicable requirements for the protection of the child. (c) The proper authorities of the state from which the placement is made may obtain the most complete information on the basis of which to evaluate a projected placement before it is made. (d) Appropriate jurisdictional arrangements for the care of children will be promoted. Subsection 2. Definitions: As used in this compact: (a) "Child" means a person who, by reason of minority, is legally subject to parental guardianship or similar control. (b) "Sending agency" means a party state, officer or employee thereof, a subdivision of a party state, or officer or employee thereof, a court of a party state, a person, corporation, association, charitable agency or other entity which sends, brings, or causes to be sent or brought any child to another party state. (c) "Receiving state" means the state to which a child is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought, whether by public authorities or private persons or agencies, and whether for placement with state or local public authorities or for placement with private agencies or persons. (d) "Placement" means the arrangement for the care of a child in a family free or boarding home or in a child-caring agency or institution but does not include any institution caring for the mentally ill, mentally defective or epileptic or any institution primarily educational in character, and any hospital or other medical facility. Subsection 3. Conditions for Placement: (a) No sending agency shall send, bring, or cause to be sent or brought into any other party state any child for placement in foster care or as a preliminary to a possible adoption unless the sending agency shall comply with each and every requirement set forth in this subsection and with the applicable laws of the receiving state governing the placement of children therein. (b) Prior to sending, bringing or causing any child to be sent or brought into a receiving state for placement in foster care or as a preliminary to a possible adoption, the sending agency shall furnish the appropriate public authorities in the receiving state written notice of the intention to send, bring, or place the child in the receiving state. The notice shall contain: (1) the name, date and place of birth of the child; (2) the identity and address or addresses of the parents or legal guardian; (3) the name and address of the person, agency or institution to or with which the sending agency proposes to send, bring or place the child; (4) a full statement of the reasons for such proposed action and evidence of the authority pursuant to which the placement is proposed to be made. (c) Any public officer or agency in a receiving state which is in receipt of a notice pursuant to item (b) of this subsection may request of the sending agency, or any other appropriate officer or agency of or in the sending agency's state, and shall be entitled to receive therefrom, such supporting or additional information as it may deem necessary under the circumstances to carry out the purpose and policy of this compact. (d) The child shall not be sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought into the receiving state until the appropriate public authorities in the receiving state shall notify the sending agency, in writing, to the effect that the proposed placement does not appear to be contrary to the interests of the child. Subsection 4. Penalty for Illegal Placement: The sending, bringing, or causing to be sent or brought into any receiving state of a child in violation of the terms of this compact shall constitute a violation of the laws respecting the placement of children of both the state in which the sending agency is located or from which it sends or brings the child and of the receiving state. Such violation may be punished or subjected to penalty in either jurisdiction in accordance with its laws. In addition to liability for any such punishment or penalty, any such violation shall constitute full and sufficient grounds for the suspension or revocation of any license, permit, or other legal authorization held by the sending agency which empowers or allows it to place or care for children. Subsection 5. Retention of Jurisdiction: (a) The sending agency shall retain jurisdiction over the child sufficient to determine all matters in relation to the custody, supervision, care, treatment and disposition of the child which it would have had if the child had remained in the sending agency's state, until the child is adopted, reaches majority, becomes self-supporting or is discharged with the concurrence of the appropriate authority in the receiving state. Such jurisdiction shall also include the power to effect or cause the return of the child or its transfer to another location and custody pursuant to law. The sending agency shall continue to have financial responsibility for support and maintenance of the child during the period of the placement. Nothing contained herein shall defeat a claim of jurisdiction by a receiving state sufficient to deal with an act of delinquency or crime committed therein. (b) When the sending agency is a public agency, it may enter into an agreement with an authorized public or private agency in the receiving state providing for the performance of one or more services in respect of such case by the latter as agent for the sending agency. (c) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prevent a private charitable agency authorized to place children in the receiving state from performing services or acting as agent in that state for a private charitable agency of the sending state, nor to prevent the agency in the receiving state from discharging financial responsibility for the support and maintenance of a child who has been placed on behalf of the sending agency without relieving the responsibility set forth in paragraph (a) hereof. Subsection 6. Institutional Care of Delinquent Children: A child adjudicated delinquent may be placed in an institution in another party jurisdiction pursuant to this compact but no such placement shall be made unless the child is given a court hearing on notice to the parent or guardian with opportunity to be heard prior to his being sent to such other party jurisdiction for institutional care and the court finds that: 1. equivalent facilities for the child are not available in the sending agency's jurisdiction; 2. institutional care in the other jurisdiction is in the best interest of the child and will not produce undue hardship. Subsection 7. Compact Administrator: The executive head of each jurisdiction party to this compact shall designate an officer who shall be general coordinator of activities under this compact in his jurisdiction and who, acting jointly with like officers of other party jurisdictions, shall have power to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out more effectively the terms and provisions of this compact. Subsection 8. Limitations: This compact shall not apply to: (a) the sending or bringing of a child into a receiving state by his parent, stepparent, grandparent, adult brother or sister, adult uncle or aunt, or his guardian and leaving the child with any such relative or nonagency guardian in the receiving state; (b) any placement, sending or bringing of a child into a receiving state pursuant to any other interstate compact to which both the state from which the child is sent or brought and the receiving state are party or to any other agreement between states which has the force of law. Subsection 9. Enactment and Withdrawal: This compact shall be open to joinder by any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and with the consent of Congress, the Government of Canada or any province thereof. It shall become effective with respect to any such jurisdiction when such jurisdiction has enacted the same into law. Withdrawal from this compact shall be by the enactment of a statute repealing the same, but shall not take effect until two years after the effective date of such statute and until written notice of the withdrawal has been given by the withdrawing state to the Governor of each other party jurisdiction. Withdrawal of a party state shall not affect the rights, duties and obligations under this compact of any sending agency therein with respect to a placement made prior to the effective date of withdrawal. Subsection 10. Construction and Severability: The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party, state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state party thereto, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-700 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 63-11-700
SECTION 63-11-700. Division for Review of the Foster Care of Children; board.
Status: in_force

(A) There is created, within the Department of Children's Advocacy, the Division for Review of the Foster Care of Children. The division must be supported by a board consisting of seven members, all of whom must be past or present members of local review boards. There must be one member from each congressional district, all appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. (B) Terms of office for the members of the board are for four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Appointments must be made by the Governor for terms of four years to expire on June thirtieth of the appropriate year. (C) The board shall elect from its members a chairman who shall serve for two years. Five members of the board constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Members of the board shall receive per diem, mileage, and subsistence as provided by law for members of boards, commissions, and committees while engaged in the work of the board. (D) The board shall meet at least quarterly and more frequently upon the call of the division director to review and coordinate the activities of the local review boards and make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly with regard to foster care policies, procedures, and deficiencies of public and private agencies which arrange for foster care of children as determined by the review of cases provided for in Section 63-11-720(A)(1) and (2). These recommendations must be submitted to the Governor and included in an annual report, filed with the General Assembly, of the activities of the state office and local review boards. (E) The Department of Children's Advocacy, upon recommendation of the division director, shall promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of this article. These regulations shall provide for and must be limited to procedures for: reviewing reports and other necessary information at state, county, and private agencies and facilities; scheduling of reviews and notification of interested parties; conducting local review board and board of directors' meetings; disseminating local review board recommendations, including reporting to the appropriate family court judges the status of judicially approved treatment plans; participating and intervening in family court proceedings; and developing policies for summary review of children privately placed in privately owned facilities or group homes. (F) The Department of Children's Advocacy may employ a division director and staff as is necessary to carry out this article, and the funds for the division director, staff, and other purposes of this division must be provided for in the annual general appropriations act. (G) This article may not be construed to provide for subpoena authority. Editor's Note 2012 Act No. 279, SECTION 33, provides as follows: "Due to the congressional redistricting, any person elected or appointed to serve, or serving, as a member of any board, commission, or committee to represent a congressional district, whose residency is transferred to another district by a change in the composition of the district, may serve, or continue to serve, the term of office for which he was elected or appointed; however, the appointing or electing authority shall appoint or elect an additional member on that board, commission, or committee from the district which loses a resident member as a result of the transfer to serve until the term of the transferred member expires. When a vacancy occurs in the district to which a member has been transferred, the vacancy must not be filled until the full term of the transferred member expires. Further, the inability to hold an election or to make an appointment due to judicial review of the congressional districts does not constitute a vacancy." 2018 Act No. 160, SECTIONS 18.A and 18.B, provide as follows: "SECTION 18. A. Where the provisions of this act transfer duties, programs, or services of the Department of Administration to the Department of Children's Advocacy, the employees, authorized appropriations, and assets and liabilities of these divisions, services, and programs also are transferred to and become part of the Department of Children's Advocacy. All classified or unclassified personnel employed by the divisions, programs, services, or initiatives transferred from the Department of Administration, either by contract or by employment at will, become on July 1, 2019, employees of the Department of Children's Advocacy, with the same compensation, classification, and grade level, as applicable. Before the transfer of the applicable divisions, programs, services, or initiatives of the Department of Administration pursuant to this act, these agencies and organizations shall cause all necessary actions to be taken to accomplish this transfer in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations." "B. Applicable regulations promulgated by the Department of Administration are continued and are considered to be promulgated by the Department of Children's Advocacy. Applicable contracts entered into by the Department of Administration are continued and are considered to be devolved upon the Department of Children's Advocacy at the time of the transfer." Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment removed "and one member from the State at large" in subsection (A). 2014 Act No. 121, SECTION 7.KK.1, in subsection (A), substituted "within the Department of Administration" for "as part of the Office of the Governor", and substituted "board consisting of eight members" for "board consisting of seven members"; in subsection (C), substituted "Five members of the board" for "Four members of the board"; and in subsection (F), inserted "division" before "director". 2018 Act No. 160, SECTION 4, in (A), in the first sentence, substituted "Department of Children's Advocacy" for "Department of Administration", and, in the second sentence, substituted "seven members" for "eight members". 2025 Act No. 8, SECTION 3, in (E), in the first sentence, substituted "Department of Children's Advocacy" for "board"; and rewrote (F), eliminating the discretion of the Governor to determine the compensation for the staff of the Department of Children's Advocacy.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-650 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 5 / Section 63-13-650
SECTION 63-13-650. Review meeting.
Status: in_force

(A) An applicant or operator who has been denied approval or renewal of approval by the department must be given prompt written notice of the denial, which shall include a statement of the reasons for the denial. The notice must also inform the applicant or operator that it may, within thirty days after the receipt of the notice of denial, appeal the denial by making a written request to the director or his designee for an opportunity to show cause why its application should not be denied. (B) Upon receiving a written petition, the director or his designee shall give the applicant or operator reasonable notice and an opportunity for a prompt, informal meeting with the director or his designee with respect to the action by the department, and an opportunity to submit written material. On the basis of the available evidence, including information obtained at the informal meeting and from the written material, the director or his designee shall decide whether the application must be granted for approval, provisional approval, or denied. The decision of the director or his designee must be in writing, must contain findings of fact and must be mailed to the parties to the proceedings by certified or registered mail. Notification of the decision must be sent to the Governor and appropriate officials of the state or local government.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-840 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 7 / Section 63-19-840
SECTION 63-19-840. Detention homes; temporary care and custody.
Status: in_force

Provisions must be made for a detention home or homes for the temporary detention of children to be conducted by the court or, subject to the approval and supervision of the court, by an appropriate public agency; or the court may arrange for the use of private homes for detention, subject to the supervision of the court or other agency, or may arrange with an institution or agency to receive for temporary care and custody children within the jurisdiction of the court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-630 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 63-3-630
SECTION 63-3-630. Appeals.
Status: in_force

(A) Any appeal from an order, judgment, or decree of the family court shall be taken in the manner provided by the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules. The right to appeal must be governed by the same rules, practices, and procedures that govern appeals from the circuit court. (B) The pendency of an appeal or application may not suspend the order of the family court regarding a child, nor shall it discharge the child from the custody of that court or of the person, institution, or agency to whose care the child shall have been committed; nor shall it suspend payments for support and maintenance of the wife and child.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-1330 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 13 / Section 63-11-1330
SECTION 63-11-1330. Duties.
Status: in_force

The Continuum of Care shall perform the following duties and functions: (1) identify needs and develop plans to address the needs of severely emotionally disturbed children and youth; (2) coordinate planning, training, and service delivery among public and private organizations which provide services to severely emotionally disturbed children and youth; (3)(a) augment existing resources by providing or procuring services to complete the range of services needed to serve this population in the least restrictive, most appropriate setting. The scope of services includes, but is not limited to: (i) in-home treatment programs; (ii) residential treatment programs; (iii) education services; (iv) counseling services; (v) outreach services; (vi) volunteer and community services; (b) provide needed services until they can be procured; (4) provide case management services directly; (5) supervise and administer the development and operation of its activities and services on a statewide regional basis.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3310 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3310
SECTION 63-17-3310. Petition contents.
Status: in_force

(A) In a proceeding under this article, a petitioner seeking to establish a support order, to determine parentage of a child, or to register and modify a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country must file a petition. Unless otherwise ordered under Section 63-17-3320, the petition or accompanying documents must provide, so far as known, the name, residential address, and social security numbers of the obligor and the obligee or the parent and alleged parent, and the name, sex, residential address, social security number, and date of birth of each child for whose benefit support is sought or whose parentage is to be determined. Unless filed at the time of registration, the petition must be accompanied by a copy of any support order known to have been issued by another tribunal. The petition may include any other information that may assist in locating or identifying the respondent. (B) The petition must specify the relief sought. The petition and accompanying documents must conform substantially with the requirements imposed by the forms mandated by federal law for use in cases filed by a support enforcement agency. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (A), inserted "of a child" following "to determine parentage", and substituted "a tribunal of another state or a foreign country" for "another state".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-512 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-512
SECTION 63-15-512. General consideration in custody proceeding of parent's military service.
Status: in_force

In a proceeding for custodial responsibility of a child of a service member, a court may not consider a parent's past deployment or possible future deployment in itself in determining the best interest of the child but may consider any significant impact on the best interest of the child of the parent's past or possible future deployment.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-560 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 63-3-560
SECTION 63-3-560. Venue.
Status: in_force

Venue of actions in the family courts shall be in such county as may be provided by law. Trial of such actions shall be in such county unless a change of venue is granted as provided by law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-45 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 63-13-45
SECTION 63-13-45. Notice to parents of childcare center provisional staff employment; statements from parents indicating receipt of notice.
Status: in_force

(A) An owner or operator of a childcare center, group childcare home, or family childcare home, as defined by Section 63-13-20, must notify and obtain signed statements from the custodial parent or parents or guardian or guardians of each child currently enrolled in the childcare center, group childcare home, or family childcare home indicating that the parent or parents or guardian or guardians have received notice that the childcare center, group childcare home, or family childcare home may provisionally employ a person in order to comply with Section 63-7-1980 and Section 63-13-40(D) when an unexpected staff vacancy occurs. Provisional employment may only occur pursuant to the provisions of Section 63-13-40(D). (B) Within sixty days of this act's effective date, an owner or operator of a childcare center, group childcare home, or family childcare home, as defined by Section 63-13-20 of the 1976 Code, must notify and obtain signed statements pursuant to the provisions of this section from the custodial parent or parents or guardian or guardians of each child enrolled on this act's effective date in the childcare center, group childcare home, or family childcare home.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3830 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3830
SECTION 63-17-3830. Conditions for modification.
Status: in_force

(A) If Section 63-17-3850 does not apply, upon petition, a tribunal of this State may modify a child-support order issued in another state which is registered in this State if, after notice and hearing, the tribunal finds that: (1) the following requirements are met: (a) neither the child, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the obligor resides in the issuing state; (b) a petitioner who is a nonresident of this State seeks modification; and (c) the respondent is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this State; or (2) this State is the residence of the child, or a party who is an individual is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this State, and all of the parties who are individuals have filed consents in a record in the issuing tribunal for a tribunal of this State to modify the support order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction. (B) Modification of a registered child-support order is subject to the same requirements, procedures, and defenses that apply to the modification of an order issued by a tribunal of this State and the order may be enforced and satisfied in the same manner. (C) A tribunal of this State may not modify any aspect of a child-support order that may not be modified under the law of the issuing state, including the duration of the obligation of support. If two or more tribunals have issued child-support orders for the same obligor and same child, the order that controls and must be so recognized under Section 63-17-3070 establishes the aspects of the support order which are nonmodifiable. (D) In a proceeding to modify a child-support order, the law of the state that is determined to have issued the initial controlling order governs the duration of the obligation of support. The obligor's fulfillment of the duty of support established by that order precludes imposition of a further obligation of support by a tribunal of this State. (E) On the issuance of an order by a tribunal of this State modifying a child-support order issued in another state, the tribunal of this State becomes the tribunal having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction. (F) Notwithstanding subsections (A) through (E) and Section 63-17-3010(B), a tribunal of this State retains jurisdiction to modify an order issued by a tribunal of this State if: (1) one party resides in another state; and (2) the other party resides outside the United States. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (A), deleted "except as otherwise provided in Section 63-17-3870," before "does not apply,", in (A)(2), inserted "state of" before "residence"; in (C), deleted "Except as otherwise provided in Section 63-17-3870," from the beginning; and added (F).
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-970 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-970
SECTION 63-7-970. Children of incarcerated women.
Status: in_force

The local office of the department responsible for the county of the mother's legal residence must provide, direct, or coordinate the appropriate and timely delivery of services to children born of incarcerated mothers where no provision has been made for placement of the child outside the prison setting. Referral of these cases to the appropriate local office is the responsibility of the agency or institution having custody of the mother.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3290 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3290
SECTION 63-17-3290. Private counsel.
Status: in_force

An individual may employ private counsel to represent the individual in proceedings authorized by this article. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, reenacted this section with no change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-60 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 63-17-60
SECTION 63-17-60. Admissibility of evidence.
Status: in_force

(A) The following evidence is admissible at a hearing to determine paternity: (1) Results of genetic tests as described in Section 63-17-30 from physicians, agencies, hospitals, laboratories, or other qualified testing facilities, properly verified to show the chain of custody of blood samples. This evidence, must be introduced and admitted without the foundation testimony or other proof of authenticity or accuracy unless a challenge has been asserted by motion at least twenty days before the date of trial. Any party to the action, absent stipulations to the contrary, may demand the right to have additional testing conducted at the expense of the party who demands the additional testing. (2) The refusal of a party to submit to a genetic or other ordered test as to the credibility of a party. (3) Test results which show a statistical probability of paternity. A statistical probability of paternity of ninety-five percent or higher creates a rebuttable presumption of the putative father's paternity. (4) A verified voluntary acknowledgment of paternity. This acknowledgment creates a rebuttable presumption of the putative father's paternity except that a verified voluntary acknowledgment of paternity executed after January 1, 1998, creates a conclusive presumption of the putative father's paternity subject to the provisions of Section 63-17-50. The person acknowledging paternity must be given the opportunity to seek legal advice prior to signing a verified voluntary acknowledgment. A verified voluntary acknowledgment must be made by a sworn document, signed by the person acknowledging paternity and witnessed by (1) that person's attorney, parent, or guardian or (2) a person eighteen years of age or older who is not related to the child and not employed or acting under the authority of the Department of Social Services. The witness must attach to the acknowledgment a written certification which specifies that prior to signing the acknowledgment, the provisions of the acknowledgment were discussed with the person acknowledging paternity and that, based upon this discussion, it is the witness' opinion that the acknowledgment is being given voluntarily and that it is not being obtained under duress or through coercion. (5) A foreign paternity determination whether established through administrative or judicial process. This determination creates a conclusive presumption of paternity. (6) A birth certificate containing the signature of the mother and the putative father. This evidence creates a rebuttable presumption of paternity. (7) An expert's opinion concerning the time of conception. This evidence is admissible in the same manner as other expert testimony. The court may take judicial notice of the normal period of gestation. (8) The testimony of a husband and wife as to any relevant matter, including marriage and parentage. (9) Any other relevant and competent evidence deemed admissible in the discretion of the court. (B) Upon the motion of any party to the action or upon its own motion, the court may view a child for the purpose of examining the presence or the absence of physical characteristics and similarities between the child and the putative father. (C) If a male witness offers testimony indicating that his act of intercourse with the natural mother may have resulted in the conception of the child, the court may require the witness to submit to genetic or other tests to determine whether he is the child's father. If the results of the tests exclude or tend to exclude the witness as the father of the child, the witness's testimony must be stricken from the record and disregarded.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-1690 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-1690
SECTION 63-7-1690. Placement plans; substance abuse issues.
Status: in_force

(A) When the conditions justifying removal pursuant to Section 63-7-1660 include the addiction of the parent or abuse by the parent of controlled substances, the court may require as part of the placement plan ordered pursuant to Section 63-7-1680: (1) the parent to successfully complete a treatment program operated by the Office of Substance Use Services or another treatment program approved by the department before return of the child to the home; (2) any other adult person living in the home who has been determined by the court to be addicted to or abusing controlled substances or alcohol and whose conduct has contributed to the parent's addiction or abuse of controlled substances or alcohol to successfully complete a treatment program approved by the department before return of the child to the home; and (3) the parent or other adult, or both, identified in item (2) to submit to random testing for substance abuse and to be alcohol or drug free for a period of time to be determined by the court before return of the child. The parent or other adult identified in item (2) must continue random testing for substance abuse and must be alcohol or drug free for a period of time to be determined by the court after return of the child before the case will be authorized to be closed. (B) Results of tests ordered pursuant to this section must be submitted to the department and are admissible only in family court proceedings brought by the department. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 281, SECTION 5, in subsections (A)(1), (A)(2), substituted "to successfully complete" for "successfully must complete"; and in subsection (A)(3), substituted "to submit" for "must submit", substituted "to be alcohol or drug free" for "must be alcohol or drug free", and substituted "authorized to be closed" for "authorized closed".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-930 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 63-5-930
SECTION 63-5-930. Temporary modification of support order for duration of military parent's military service.
Status: in_force

(A) If a military parent is called to military service, either parent may file a notice of activation of military service and petition to modify a support order. In the petition, the parent must cite the basis for modifying the support order and the military parent's change in financial circumstances supporting the petition. (B) The court shall temporarily modify the amount of child support for the duration of the military parent's military service based on changes in income and earning capacity of the military parent during military service. An increase or decrease in income or earning capacity of a military parent due to military service only may be used to calculate support during the period of military service and must not be considered a permanent increase in wages or earning capacity. The effective date for a temporary modification must be the date the military parent begins military service. (C) Upon return from military service, the military parent's child support obligation prior to a temporary modification is automatically reinstated, effective on the date the military parent is released from service. Within ninety days of the military parent's release from service, either parent may make a subsequent request for modification to correspond to a change in the military parent's nonservice-related income or earning capacity. A modification must be based upon the income or earning capacity of the military parent following the period of military service. (D) Except for modifying a child support obligation during military service pursuant to this section, a military parent's income during military service must not be used to determine the military parent's income or earning capacity.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-420 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 63-19-420
SECTION 63-19-420. Natural resource sales.
Status: in_force

The director is authorized to sell mature trees, other timber, and farm products and commodities from lands owned by the department. Before the sale of timber, the director shall consult with the State Forester to determine the economic feasibility of and obtain approval for the sales. Funds derived from the sales must be credited to the account of the department to be used for capital improvements subject to the approval of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority or Department of Administration, as appropriate. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, references in this section to the offices of the former State Budget and Control Board, Office of the Governor, or other agencies, were changed to reflect the transfer of them to the Department of Administration or other entities, pursuant to the directive of the South Carolina Restructuring Act, 2014 Act No. 121, SECTION 5(D)(1), effective July 1, 2015.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-546 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-546
SECTION 63-15-546. Consent procedure for terminating temporary grant of custodial responsibility established by court order.
Status: in_force

At any time following return from deployment, the deploying parent and the other parent may file with the court an agreement to terminate a temporary order for custodial responsibility issued pursuant to Subarticle 3. After an agreement has been filed, the court shall issue an order terminating the temporary order on the date specified in the agreement. If no date is specified, the court shall issue the order immediately.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-2310 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 5 / Section 63-7-2310
SECTION 63-7-2310. Protecting and nurturing children in foster care.
Status: in_force

(A) To protect and nurture children in foster care, the Department of Social Services and its employees shall: (1) use its best efforts to normalize the lives of children in foster care by allowing a caregiver, without the department's prior approval, to make decisions similar to those a parent would be entitled to make regarding a child's participation in age or developmentally appropriate activities. In determining whether to allow a child in foster care to participate in an activity, a caregiver must exercise the reasonable and prudent parent standard pursuant to Section 63-7-20 and Section 63-7-25; (2) adhere strictly to the prescribed number of personal contacts, pursuant to Section 63-7-1680(B)(3). These contacts must be personal, face-to-face visits between the caseworker or member of the casework team and the foster child. These visits may be conducted in the foster home and in the presence of other persons who reside in the foster home; however, if the caseworker suspects that the child has been abused or neglected during the placement with the foster parent, the caseworker must observe and interview the child outside the presence of other persons who reside in the foster home; (3) ensure that a caseworker interviews the foster parent, either in person or by telephone, at least once each month. No less frequently than once every two months, ensure that a caseworker or member of the casework team interviews the foster parent face-to-face during a visit in the foster home; (4) ensure that a caseworker interviews other adults residing in the foster home, as defined in Section 63-1-40, face-to-face at least once each quarter. A foster parent must notify the department if another adult moves into the home, and the caseworker must interview the adult face-to-face within one month after receiving notice. Interviews of foster parents pursuant to item (3) and of other adults residing in the home pursuant to this item may be conducted together or separately at the discretion of the department; (5) ensure that its staff visit in the foster home and interview the foster parent or other adults in the home more frequently when conditions in the home, circumstances of the foster children, or other reasons defined in policy and procedure suggest that increased oversight or casework support is appropriate. When more than one caseworker is responsible for a child in the foster home, the department may assign one caseworker to conduct the required face-to-face interview with the other adults residing in the foster home; (6) provide to the foster child, if age appropriate, a printed card containing a telephone number the child may use to contact a designated unit or individual within the Department of Social Services and further provide an explanation to the child that the number is to be used if problems occur which the child believes his or her caseworker cannot or will not resolve; (7) provide to the foster child, if age appropriate, a document describing the rights of the child regarding education, health, visitation, court participation, and the right to stay safe and avoid exploitation and obtain a signed acknowledgement from the child upon receipt of the document; (8) strongly encourage by letter of invitation, provided at least three weeks in advance, the attendance of foster parents to all Foster Care Review Board proceedings held for children in their care. If the foster parents are unable to attend the proceedings, they must submit a progress report to the Foster Care Review Board, at least three days prior to the proceeding. Failure of a foster parent to attend the Foster Care Review Board proceeding or failure to submit a progress report to the Foster Care Review Board does not require the board to delay the proceeding. The letter of invitation and the progress report form must be supplied by the agency; (9) be placed under the full authority of sanctions and enforcement by the family court pursuant to Section 63-3-530(A)(30) and Section 63-3-530(A)(36) for failure to adhere to the requirements of this subsection. (B) If the department places a child in foster care in a county which does not have jurisdiction of the case, the department may designate a caseworker in the county of placement to make the visits required by subsection (A). (C) In fulfilling the requirements of subsection (A), the Department of Social Services shall reasonably perform its tasks in a manner which is least intrusive and disruptive to the lives of the foster children and their foster families. (D) The Department of Social Services, in executing its duties under subsection (A)(5), must provide a toll free telephone number which must operate twenty-four hours a day. (E) Any public employee in this State who has actual knowledge that a person has violated any of the provisions of subsection (A) must report those violations to the state office of the Department of Social Services; however, the Foster Care Review Board must report violations of subsection (A)(5) in their regular submissions of advisory decisions and recommendations which are submitted to the family court and the department. Any employee who knowingly fails to report a violation of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. (F) Foster parents have a duty to make themselves reasonably available for the interviews required by subsection (A)(3) and to take reasonable steps to facilitate caseworkers' interviews with other adults who reside in the home as required by subsection (A)(4). Failure to comply with either the duties in this subsection or those in subsection (A)(4) constitutes grounds for revocation of a foster parent's license or other form of approval to provide care to children in the custody of the department. Revocation would depend on the number of instances of noncompliance, the foster parents' wilfulness in noncompliance, or other circumstances indicating that noncompliance by the foster parents significantly and unreasonably interferes with the department's ability to carry out its protective functions under this section. (G) The department shall adopt and implement any policies consistent with this section that are necessary to promote a caregiver's ability to make decisions described by subsection (A)(1). The department shall make efforts to identify and review any department policy or procedure that may impede a caregiver's ability to make such decisions. (H) The department shall incorporate into its training for caregivers, as defined in Section 63-7-20(4), and agency personnel the importance of a child's participation in age or developmentally appropriate activities, the benefits of such activities to a child's well-being, and decision-making under the reasonable and prudent parent standard pursuant to Section 63-7-20 and Section 63-7-25. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, Sections 63-3-530(30) and Section 63-3-530(36) were designated as 63-3-530(A)(30) and Section 63-3-530(A)(36) as a result of the designation of subsection (A) in Act 132 of 2005. Effect of Amendment 2016 Act No. 238, SECTION 4, rewrote the section, requiring the department to make efforts to normalize the lives of children in foster care by enabling participation in age or developmentally appropriate activities.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-10 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 63-3-10
SECTION 63-3-10. Family courts created.
Status: in_force

There hereby are created courts of limited jurisdiction to be known and designated in this title as "family courts." The number and boundaries of such family courts shall be the same as the judicial circuits. Each court shall bear the name of "The Family Court of __________ Judicial Circuit."
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-374 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-374
SECTION 63-15-374. Full faith and credit.
Status: in_force

A court of this State shall accord full faith and credit to an order issued by another state and consistent with this article which enforces a child custody determination by a court of another state unless the order has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Subarticle 2.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-640 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-640
SECTION 63-7-640. Preliminary investigation.
Status: in_force

The department shall conduct within twenty-four hours after the child is taken into emergency protective custody by law enforcement or pursuant to ex parte order a preliminary investigation to determine whether grounds for assuming legal custody of the child exist and whether reasonable means exist for avoiding removal of the child from the home of the parent or guardian or for placement of the child with a relative and means for minimizing the emotional impact on the child of separation from the child's home and family. During this time the department, if possible, shall convene, a meeting with the child's parents or guardian, extended family, and other relevant persons to discuss the family's problems that led to intervention and possible corrective actions, including placement of the child.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-80 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 63-11-80
SECTION 63-11-80. Prohibition against certain disclosures of information; exception.
Status: in_force

An officer, agent or employee of the department or a child welfare agency shall not disclose, directly or indirectly, information learned about a child, the child's parents or relatives, or other persons having custody or control of the child, except in cases involving a child in the custody or control of persons who have military affiliation. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 62, SECTION 4, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-506 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-506
SECTION 63-15-506. Jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(A) A court may issue an order regarding custodial responsibility pursuant to this article only if the court has jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. If the court has issued a temporary order regarding custodial responsibility pursuant to Subarticle 3, the residence of the deploying parent is not changed by reason of the deployment for the purposes of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act during the deployment. (B) If a court has issued a permanent order regarding custodial responsibility before notice of deployment and the parents modify that order temporarily by agreement pursuant to Subarticle 2, the residence of the deploying parent is not changed by reason of the deployment for the purposes of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. (C) If a court in another state has issued a temporary order regarding custodial responsibility as a result of impending or current deployment, the residence of the deploying parent is not changed by reason of the deployment for the purposes of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. (D) This section does not prohibit the exercise of temporary emergency jurisdiction by a court pursuant to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-1750 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 7 / Section 63-9-1750
SECTION 63-9-1750. Eligibility criteria.
Status: in_force

In order for a child to be eligible for supplemental benefits the department shall determine that the child legally is free for adoption, the child has been placed for adoption by the department, and one of the following provisions applies to the child: (1) is a special needs child pursuant to Section 63-9-30; (2) is at high risk of developing a physical, mental, or emotional disability; (3) is one for whom other factors, as determined by the department, interfere with the child's ability to be placed for adoption; (4) has established significant emotional ties with prospective adoptive parents while in their care as a foster child, and it is considered by the agency to be in the best interest of the child to be adopted by the foster parents.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-1740 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-1740
SECTION 63-7-1740. Review of qualified residential treatment program placement.
Status: in_force

(A) The court shall review the status of a child placed in a qualified residential treatment program as prescribed in this section. (B) Within sixty days of the start of each placement in a qualified residential treatment program, the court independently, shall: (1) consider the assessment, determination, and documentation of the qualified individual conducting the assessment pursuant to Section 63-7-1730; (2) determine whether the needs of the child can be met through placement in a foster family home or, if not, whether placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment and whether that placement is consistent with the short- and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan for the child; and (3) approve or disapprove the placement in a written court order. (C) The written documentation required pursuant to Section 63-7-1730(E) and the court's approval or disapproval of the placement in a qualified residential treatment program must be included in the case plan for the child and must be incorporated in the court order. (D) As long as a child remains in a qualified residential treatment program, the department shall submit evidence at any subsequent hearing: (1) demonstrating that ongoing assessment of the strengths and needs of the child continues to support the determination that the needs of the child cannot be met through placement in a foster family home; (2) that the placement in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment; (3) that the placement is consistent with the short- and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan for the child; (4) documenting the specific treatment or service needs that will be met for the child in the placement and the length of time the child is expected to need the treatment or services; and (5) documenting the efforts made by the department to prepare the child to return home or to be placed with a fit and willing relative, a legal guardian, an adoptive parent, or in a foster family home. (E) The evidence required pursuant to subsection (D) must be included in the case plan for the child. The order of the court must address the evidence and must state whether the court approves or disapproves the placement in a qualified residential treatment program.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-60 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 63-9-60
SECTION 63-9-60. Persons who may adopt.
Status: in_force

(A) Any South Carolina resident may petition the court to adopt a child. (B)(1) Any nonresident of South Carolina may petition the court to adopt a child in the following circumstances only: (a) the child is a special needs child, as defined by Section 63-9-30; (b) the child is to be placed for adoption with a relative related biologically or by marriage; (c) at least one of the adoptive parents is in the military service stationed in South Carolina; (d) there are unusual or exceptional circumstances such that the best interests of the child would be served by placement with or adoption by nonresidents of this State; (e) the child has been in foster care for at least six months after having been legally freed for adoption and no South Carolina resident has been identified as a prospective adoptive home; (f) all persons required to give consent to the adoption pursuant to Section 63-9-310 have specifically consented to the adoption by the nonresident; or (g) the department or any agency under contract with the department has placed the child with the nonresident for purposes of adoption. (2) A person who files a petition pursuant to subsections (A) and (B) shall not use public notoriety concerning a child or child's family to support or to evidence his petition to adopt a child. (3) Before a child is placed within or outside the boundaries of this State for adoption with nonresidents of this State, compliance with Article 11 (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children) is required, and a judicial determination must be made in this State that one of the circumstances in subsection (B)(1)(a)-(g) applies, whether or not the adoption proceedings are instituted in this State. Additionally, in order to determine if any of the circumstances in subsection (B)(1)(a)-(g) apply so as to permit placement with a nonresident for the purpose of adoption or adoption by a nonresident, a petition may be brought for the determination before the birth of the child or before placement of the child with the prospective adoptive parents. In ruling on this question the court must include in its order specific findings of fact as to the circumstances allowing the placement of a child with a nonresident or the adoption of a child by a nonresident. The court also must analyze the facts against the objective criteria established in Sections 16-3-1060 and 63-9-310(F) and make specific findings in accordance with the pertinent law and evidence presented. The order resulting from this action does not prohibit or waive the right to refuse to consent to a release of rights or relinquish rights at a later time or to withdraw a consent or relinquish at a later time as provided in this article. The order must be merged with and made a part of any subsequent adoption proceeding, which must be initiated and finalized in this State. (4) Neither the department nor its contractors may delay or deny the placement of a child for adoption by a nonresident if that nonresident has been approved for adoption of the child by another state authorized to approve such placements pursuant to the Interstate Compact on Placement of Children. The department shall provide an opportunity for a hearing, in accordance with the department's fair hearing procedures, to a nonresident who believes that the department, in violation of this section, has delayed or denied placement of a child for adoption. (C) A petition for adoption of a child may be filed pursuant to this section regardless of which individual or entity has custody of the child. When the department has custody of a child, the rights granted herein to South Carolina residents and nonresidents shall not be diminished, invalidated or negatively affected in any way. Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment changed the last sentence of subparagraph (A)(2) to read, in part, "subsequent adoption proceeding, which must be initiated and finalized in this State"; and made other nonsubstantive changes throughout subparagraph (A)(2). 2018 Act No. 144, SECTION 1, rewrote the section, adding circumstances under which a nonresident may adopt and providing for the right to file a petition for adoption without regard to whom has custody of the child.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-370 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 63-5-370
SECTION 63-5-370. Consent not subject to disaffirmance.
Status: in_force

Any consent given pursuant to this article shall not be subject to disaffirmance because of minority when such minor reaches majority.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-850 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 7 / Section 63-13-850
SECTION 63-13-850. Appeals.
Status: in_force

(A) A registrant whose statement of registration has been withdrawn by the department or whose application for a statement or renewal of registration has been denied by the department must be given written notice of the withdrawal or denial by certified or registered mail. The notice must contain the reasons for the proposed action and must inform the registrant of the right to appeal the decision to the director or his designee in writing within thirty calendar days after the receipt of the notice. Upon receiving a written appeal, the director or his designee shall give the registrant reasonable notice and an opportunity for a prompt hearing before the director or his designee. On the basis of the evidence adduced at the hearing, the director or his designee shall make the final decision of the department as to whether the department shall withdraw the statement of registration or deny the application for a statement or renewal of registration, as applicable. If no written appeal is made, the department shall withdraw a statement of registration or deny the application for a statement or renewal of registration as of the termination of the thirty-day period. (B) At the hearing provided for in this section, the registrant may be represented by counsel, and has the right to call, examine, and cross-examine witnesses, and to otherwise introduce evidence. Parents appearing at the hearing may also be represented by counsel. The director is empowered to require the presence of witnesses and evidence by subpoena on behalf of the appellant or department. The final decision of the department must be in writing, must contain the department's findings of fact and rulings of law and must be mailed to the parties to the proceedings by certified or registered mail. A full and complete record must be kept of all proceedings, and all testimony must be reported and need not be transcribed unless the decision is appealed, or a transcript is requested by an interested party. Upon an appeal, the department shall furnish to any appellate, free of charge, a certified copy of the transcript of all evidentiary proceedings before it. Other parties shall pay the cost of transcripts. (C) The decision of the department is final unless appealed by a party pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act. Effect of Amendment 2016 Act No. 263, SECTION 4, amended (A), including appeals of decisions to deny an application for a statement or renewal of registration.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-50 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 63-15-50
SECTION 63-15-50. Domestic violence and visitation; payment for treatment.
Status: in_force

(A) A court may award visitation to a person who has been found by a general sessions, magistrates, municipal, or family court to have committed domestic violence, as defined in Section 16-25-20 or Section 16-25-65, or in cases in which complaints were made against both parties, to the person found by a general sessions, magistrates, municipal, or family court to be the primary aggressor under Section 16-25-70, only if the court finds that adequate provision for the safety of the child and the victim of domestic violence can be made. (B) In a visitation order, a court may: (1) order an exchange of a child to occur in a protected setting; (2) order visitation supervised by another person or agency; (3) order a person who has been found by a general sessions, magistrates, municipal, or family court to have committed domestic violence, or in cases in which complaints were made against both parties, the person found by the court to have been the primary aggressor, to attend and complete, to the satisfaction of the court, a program of intervention for offenders or other designated counseling as a condition of the visitation; (4) order a person who has been found by a general sessions, magistrates, municipal, or family court to have committed domestic violence, or in cases in which complaints were made against both parties, the person found by the court to have been the primary aggressor, to abstain from possession or consumption of alcohol or controlled substances during the visitation and for twenty-four hours preceding the visitation; (5) order a person who has been found by a general sessions, magistrates, municipal, or family court to have committed domestic violence, or in cases in which complaints were made against both parties, the person found by a general sessions, magistrates, municipal, or family court to be the primary aggressor, to pay a fee to defray the costs of supervised visitation; (6) prohibit overnight visitation; (7) require a bond from a person who has been found by a general sessions, magistrates, municipal, or family court to have committed domestic violence, or in cases in which complaints were made against both parties, from the person found by a general sessions, magistrates, municipal, or family court to be the primary aggressor, for the return and safety of the child if that person has made a threat to retain the child unlawfully; (8) impose any other condition that is considered necessary to provide for the safety of the child, the victim of domestic violence, and any other household member. (C) If a court allows a household member to supervise visitation, the court must establish conditions to be followed during the visitation. (D) A judge may, upon his own motion or upon the motion of any party, prohibit or limit the visitation when necessary to ensure the safety of the child or the parent who is a victim of domestic violence. (E) If visitation is not allowed or is allowed in a restricted manner to provide for the safety of a child or parent who is a victim of domestic violence, the court may order the address of the child and the victim to be kept confidential. (F) The court must order a person who has been found by a general sessions, magistrates, municipal, or family court to have committed domestic violence, or in cases in which complaints were made against both parties, the person found by a general sessions, magistrates, municipal, or family court to be the primary aggressor, to pay the actual cost of any medical or psychological treatment for a child who is physically or psychologically injured as a result of one or more acts of domestic violence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-750 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 63-11-750
SECTION 63-11-750. Participation in child abuse and neglect proceedings.
Status: in_force

(A) The Foster Care Review Board may participate, through counsel, in child abuse and neglect proceedings pursuant to Sections 63-7-1660, 63-7-1700, 63-7-2520 and in any hearing held pursuant to a motion filed by a named party or party in interest. Participation includes the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses and to present its recommendation to the court. (B) This section does not require notice of any hearing to be served upon the Foster Care Review Board unless it is a party to the case. (C) If the Foster Care Review Board intends to participate in any hearing pursuant to this section, it shall inform the Department of Social Services, the court, and the guardian ad litem coordinator or counsel for the guardian ad litem of its intention to appear and participate in the hearing at least twenty-four hours in advance of the hearing. (D) If the Foster Care Review Board intends to become a party to the action, it shall file a motion to intervene. There is a rebuttable presumption that the motion to intervene shall be granted absent a showing that intervention would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case. Effect of Amendment 2016 Act No. 238, SECTION 6, rewrote the section, allowing the board to introduce, examine, and cross-examine witnesses.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-1-50 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 1 / Section 63-1-50
SECTION 63-1-50. Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children.
Status: repealed

(A) There is established the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children to be composed of three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, three members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three members to be appointed by the Governor. The Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Director of the Department of Social Services, the Office Director of the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Superintendent of the Department of Education, the Office Director of the Office of Mental Health, the Office Director of the Office of Substance Use Services, the Director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Office of South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness, and the State Child Advocate serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the committee. Members appointed by the Governor must not be employees of the State. Members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The committee shall study issues relating to children as the committee may undertake or as may be requested or directed by the General Assembly. The committee may contract for all necessary legal research and support services, subject to funding as provided in subsection (E). (B) The committee shall submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House no later than the first of February. The report must detail the work of the committee, account for the committee's expenditures, and provide findings and recommendations the committee develops relating to children's issues it has studied. (C) The staffing for the committee must be provided by the Children's Law Center of the University of South Carolina School of Law, subject to funding as provided in subsection (E). (D) The committee members may not receive compensation but are entitled to mileage, subsistence, and per diem as allowed by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions. (E) The committee shall receive funding as may be provided in the annual general appropriations act or from any other source. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 245, SECTION 1, in subsection (A), inserted "of the Senate"; in subsection (B), deleted the prior first sentence, relating to when the committee becomes operative, deleted "written" before "report" in the first sentence, deleted "commencing in 2009" at the end of the first sentence, and deleted "any" before "findings" in the last sentence; in subsection (D), substituted "may not receive compensation but are entitled to mileage, subsistence, and per diem as allowed" for "are eligible for per diem and mileage as provided"; in subsection (F), substituted "2023" for "2015"; and made other nonsubstantive changes. 2019 Act No. 1, SECTION 76, in (A), in the first sentence, substituted "President of the Senate" for "President Pro Tempore of the Senate"; and in (B), in the first sentence, substituted "President of the Senate" for "President Pro Tempore of the Senate". 2022 Act No. 123, SECTION 1, in (A), in the second sentence, substituted "the Director of the Department of Mental Health, the Director of the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, the Director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Director of the Office of South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness serve as ex officio" for "and the Director of the Department of Mental Health serve as ex officio". 2022 Act No. 123, SECTION 2, repealed (F), which related to the termination of the committee effective December 31, 2023. 2023 Act No. 9, SECTION 1, in (A), in the second sentence, substituted "the Director of the Office of South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness, and the State Child Advocate" for "and the Director of the Office of South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-2030 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 63-9-2030
SECTION 63-9-2030. Medical assistance identification.
Status: in_force

(A) A child with special needs who is a resident in the State who is the subject of an adoption assistance agreement with another state may receive medical assistance identification from this State upon the filing with the Department of Social Services of a certified copy of the agreement obtained from the adoption assistance state. In accordance with regulations of the department, the adoptive parents at least annually shall show that the agreement is still in force or has been renewed. (B) The Department of Health and Human Services shall consider the holder of medical assistance identification pursuant to this section as any other holder of medical assistance identification under the laws of this State and shall process and make payment on claims on account of the holder in the same manner and pursuant to the same conditions and procedures as for other recipients of medical assistance. (C) The Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Social Services shall provide coverage and benefits for a child who is in another state and who is covered by an adoption assistance agreement made by the department for the coverage or benefits, if any, not provided by the residence state. To this end, the adoptive parents acting for the child may submit evidence of payment for services or benefit amounts not payable in the residence state and must be reimbursed for them. However, there is no reimbursement for services or benefit amounts covered under insurance or other third party medical contract or arrangement held by the child or the adoptive parents. The department shall promulgate regulations implementing this subsection. The additional coverages and benefit amounts provided pursuant to this subsection are for the costs of services for which there is no federal contribution, or which, if federally aided, are not provided by the residence state. The regulations must include, but are not limited to, procedures to be followed in obtaining prior approval for services in those instances where required for the assistance. (D) The provisions of this section apply only to medical assistance for children under adoption assistance agreements from states that have entered into a compact with this State under which the other state provides medical assistance to children with special needs under adoption assistance agreements made by this State. All other children entitled to medical assistance pursuant to adoption assistance agreements entered into by this State are eligible to receive assistance in accordance with the laws and procedures applicable to the agreements.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-2720 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 8 / Section 63-7-2720
SECTION 63-7-2720. Creation and implementation of extended foster care program.
Status: in_force

There is created within the Department of Social Services an extended foster care program for eligible children, as the term "child" is defined in Section 63-7-2710. An eligible child is under the placement and care responsibility of the department while participating in the program. The department must provide placement in a licensed foster family home, childcare institution, or in an approved or licensed supervised independent living setting. The department shall adopt rules and promulgate regulations as necessary to implement the extended foster care program. Editor's Note 2022 Act No. 143, SECTION 3, provides as follows: "SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and is contingent upon funding in the general appropriations bill."
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3870 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3870
SECTION 63-17-3870. Modification with no consent filed.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as otherwise provided in Section 63-17-3960, if a foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its child-support order pursuant to its laws, a tribunal of this State may assume jurisdiction to modify the child-support order and bind all individuals subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal whether or not the consent to modification of a child-support order otherwise required of the individual pursuant to Section 63-17-3830 has been given or whether the individual seeking modification is a resident of this State or of the foreign country. (B) An order issued by a tribunal of this State modifying a foreign child-support order pursuant to this section is the controlling order. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (A), substituted "Except as otherwise provided in Section 63-17-3960, if a foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its child-support order" for "If a foreign country or political subdivision that is a state will not or may not modify its order", and deleted "or political subdivision" from the end; and in (B), inserted "by a tribunal of this State modifying a foreign child-support order".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-25 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 1 / Section 63-7-25
SECTION 63-7-25. Children in out-of-home care; age or developmentally appropriate activities.
Status: in_force

(A) Every child placed with a caregiver for out-of-home care pursuant to this chapter is entitled to participate in age or developmentally appropriate activities. (B) Each caregiver shall use the reasonable and prudent parent standard, as defined in Section 63-7-20, in determining whether to allow a child living in out-of-home care to participate in age or developmentally appropriate activities. When using the reasonable and prudent parent standard the caregiver must consider the following: (1) the best interest of the child based upon information known by the caregiver; (2) the overall health and safety of the child; (3) the child's age, maturity, behavioral history, and ability to participate in the proposed activity; (4) the potential risks and the appropriateness of the proposed activity; (5) the importance of encouraging the child's emotional and developmental growth; and (6) any permissions or prohibitions outlined in an existing court order. (C) Each caregiver shall use reasonable and prudent efforts to immediately notify the department when the caregiver approves any overnight travel out-of-state, whether with the caregiver or away from the caregiver, so that the department is informed as to where the child will be. Notice to the department may be in the form of a phone call, text message, email, letter, or in-person conversation with the caseworker assigned to the child. (D) Department approval is required prior to any overseas travel with the child.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-2510 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 19 / Section 63-17-2510
SECTION 63-17-2510. Reporting to credit reporting agencies.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Social Services shall provide consumer credit reporting agencies an automated monthly report of obligors in Title IV-D cases who have an arrearage in an amount of one thousand dollars or greater. (B) The department shall establish procedures for notice and an opportunity for a review for obligors who contest the submission to the consumer credit reporting agency. The procedures shall limit the review to a dispute concerning the identity of the obligor or the existence or amount of the arrearage.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-940 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 63-5-940
SECTION 63-5-940. Mutually agreeable arrangements between military and nonmilitary parents prior to mobilization.
Status: in_force

(A) Military necessity may preclude court adjudication before mobilization, and the parties are encouraged to negotiate mutually agreeable arrangements prior to mobilization. (B) The nonmilitary parent and the military parent shall cooperate with each other in an effort to reach a mutually agreeable resolution of custody, visitation, and child support. Each party shall provide information to each other in an effort to facilitate agreement on custody, visitation, and child support. (C) A provision of custody, visitation, or child support agreed to by the parties pursuant to this section must not be deemed a substantial change of circumstances in an action for custody, visitation, or child support, which occurs subsequent to termination of the military parent's military service. A negotiation of the parties concerning custody, visitation, and child support related to the military service conducted pursuant to this section are deemed settlement negotiations and are not admissible in custody, visitation, and child support actions between the parties after termination of the military parent's military service.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3570 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3570
SECTION 63-17-3570. Enforcement of orders.
Status: in_force

(A) A party or support enforcement agency seeking to enforce a support order or an income-withholding order, or both, issued in another state or a foreign support order may send the documents required for registering the order to a support enforcement agency of this State. (B) Upon receipt of the documents, the support enforcement agency, without initially seeking to register the order, shall consider and, if appropriate, use any administrative procedure authorized by the law of this State to enforce a support order or an income-withholding order, or both. If the obligor does not contest administrative enforcement, the order need not be registered. If the obligor contests the validity or administrative enforcement of the order, the support enforcement agency shall register the order pursuant to this article. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (A), substituted "in another state or a foreign support order" for "by a tribunal of another state". Part VI Registration, Enforcement, and Modification of Support Order Subpart 1 Registration for Enforcement of Support Order DERIVATION TABLE Showing the sections in former Chapter 7, Title 20 from which the sections in this subpart were derived.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-520 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 63-11-520
SECTION 63-11-520. Persons prohibited from appointment as guardians ad litem.
Status: in_force

No person may be appointed as a guardian ad litem for a child in an abuse or neglect proceeding who has been convicted of any crime listed in Chapter 3 of Title 16, Offenses Against the Person, in Chapter 15 of Title 16, Offenses Against Morality and Decency, in Article 3 of Chapter 53 of Title 44, Narcotics and Controlled Substances, or for the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, provided for in Section 16-17-490.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-630 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 5 / Section 63-13-630
SECTION 63-13-630. Approval renewal.
Status: in_force

(A) Regular approvals may be renewed upon application and approval. Notification of a childcare center or group childcare home regarding renewal is the responsibility of the department. (B) Application for renewal must be made on forms supplied by the department and in the manner it prescribes. (C) Before renewing an approval the department shall conduct an investigation of the childcare center or group childcare home. If the results of the investigation verify that the provisions of this chapter and the applicable regulations promulgated by the department are satisfied, the approval must be renewed. The operator shall cooperate with the investigation and related inspections by providing access to the physical plant, records, and staff. If the operator's statement of approval cannot be renewed, the appropriate public officials must be notified. (D)(1) A person applying for approval renewal under this section, a person who will operate the facility, and its employees and caregivers, who have not done so previously, on the first approval renewal after June 30, 1995, shall undergo a state fingerprint-based background check to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division to determine any state criminal history, a fingerprint-based background check to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine any other criminal history, a Central Registry check to be conducted by the department to determine any abuse or neglect perpetrated by the person upon a child, and a search of the National Crime Information Center National Sex Offender Registry and the state sex offender registry pursuant to Section 23-3-430. The person shall be subject to a state criminal register or repository check, a state sex offender check, and a state child abuse and neglect registry and database check in each state where the person has lived in the previous five years. (2) No approval may be renewed under this section if the person applying for renewal, the operator of the facility, or an employee or a caregiver has been convicted of any of the offenses included in Section 63-13-40(A)(1). (3) This section does not prohibit renewal when a conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere for one of the crimes enumerated in this subsection has been pardoned. However, notwithstanding the entry of a pardon, the department may consider all information available, including the person's pardoned convictions or pleas and the circumstances surrounding them, to determine whether the person is unfit or otherwise unsuited as an applicant or to be an operator, caregiver, or employee. (E) Application forms for renewal of a statement of standard conformity or approval issued under this section must include, at the top of the form in large bold type, a statement indicating that a person who has been convicted of a crime enumerated in Section 63-13-40(A)(1) who applies for approval renewal is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (F) No facility may employ or engage the services of an employee or a caregiver who has been convicted of one of the crimes listed in Section 63-13-40(A)(1). (G) Application forms for renewal of a statement of standard conformity or approval issued under this article by the department for individual public childcare centers or group childcare homes must include, at the top of the form in large bold type, a statement indicating that a person who has been convicted of one of the crimes listed in Section 63-13-40(A)(1) who applies for a license as operator, applies for employment with, is employed by, seeks to provide caregiver services with, or is a caregiver at a facility is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (H) The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are authorized to retain and store fingerprints for further use in the identification of persons, including, but not limited to, use in identifying unsolved latent prints. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are authorized to provide the department with current and future information regarding the fingerprints stored, including arrests, convictions, dispositions, warrants, and other information available to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, such as civil and criminal information. The prospective employee or childcare facility shall be responsible for any fees associated with any and all required background checks. Fees shall not exceed the actual cost of processing and administration. Effect of Amendment 2019 Act No. 52, SECTION 6.A, in (D), inserted the (1) identifier, rewrote the first sentence and added the second sentence, inserted the (2) identifier and inserted "any of the offenses included in Section 63-13-40(A)(1)", deleted (1) to (6), which related to specific crimes, and inserted the (3) identifier; in (E), substituted "Section 63-13-40(A)(1)" for "subsection (D)"; in (F), substituted "Section 63-13-40(A)(1)" for "this section"; and in (G), substituted "Section 63-13-40(A)(1)" for "this section". 2019 Act No. 52, SECTION 6.B, added (H). 2024 Act No. 195, SECTION 12, in (D)(1), substituted "fingerprint-based background check" for "fingerprint review" in two places.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1460 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 11 / Section 63-17-1460
SECTION 63-17-1460. Notice to withhold.
Status: in_force

(A) Fifteen days following the mailing of the notice of the delinquency to the obligor and if no petition to stay service has been filed, the clerk of court shall serve a notice to withhold on the payor or its agent by regular mail and may record the arrearage pursuant to Section 63-17-1600. (B) The notice to withhold shall: (1) direct any payor to withhold at the obligor's regularly scheduled pay periods an amount which over the period of one month would constitute one month's support obligation plus applicable fees pursuant to this article and costs as provided by Section 63-3-370; (2) direct any payor to withhold an additional amount toward any arrearage until the arrearage is paid in full; however, amounts to be withheld under this item and item (1) may not exceed the limits set forth by the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. Section 1673(b)); (3) direct any payor to notify the clerk if health insurance is available to the obligor for the benefit of children for whom child support is being withheld; (4) state the rights, responsibilities, and liabilities of the payor under this article. (C) The payor shall then deduct the designated amount pursuant to the notice to withhold beginning no later than the next regularly scheduled pay period following the pay period during which the payor was served. Payors need not change their regular payroll pattern and may combine all withheld amounts into one payment to the State Disbursement Unit with an itemized statement showing accounts attributable to each obligor for each obligee. For each instance of withholding of income, the payor is entitled to receive a fee of up to three dollars to be deducted from the income of the obligor in addition to the amounts withheld pursuant to the notice to withhold unless the fee is waived by the payor. (D) If there is more than one notice to withhold on a single obligor, the payor must comply with the notices by withholding the amounts designated in the notices to the extent possible pursuant to the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. Section 1673(b)). If the payor cannot fully comply with the notices because the amounts to be withheld would exceed the limits under the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the payor shall notify the court in writing as to its reasons for failing to fully comply. Priority must be given to current support obligations. In no case may the allocation result in a withholding for one of the support obligations not being implemented. (E) The employer shall promptly pay the amount withheld to the State Disbursement Unit within seven working days of the date income is withheld, in accordance with the notice to withhold and in accordance with any notification received from the clerk of court concerning withholding. The payor shall provide the date on which the income is withheld. (F) After the obligor's arrearage has been satisfied, the clerk of court shall serve the payor by regular mail a notice of reduction of withholding. The notice shall inform the payor of the satisfied amount and direct the payor to discontinue withholding the additional amount as prescribed in the notice. (G) Within twenty days after the obligor is no longer employed by the payor, the payor shall return a copy of the notice to withhold to the clerk of court and shall notify the clerk of court in writing of the date the obligor's employment terminated, the date of the obligor's final paycheck, the obligor's home address, and obligor's new employer and address, if known. (H) Withholding of income from an obligor under this article has priority over any other legal process under state law against the same wages. Payment pursuant to a notice to withhold is a complete defense by the payor against any claims of the obligor or the obligor's creditors as to the sum paid. (I) No payor may discharge, refuse to hire, or otherwise penalize any obligor because of the duty to withhold income. (J) The responsibility of a payor who employs an obligor to withhold support from the pay of the obligor ends when the obligor leaves the employ of the payor. If this termination of employment occurs during the middle of a pay period, the final amount required to be withheld must be proportionately reduced in the same percentage that the time worked has to the time of the full pay period. Editor's Note The State Disbursement Unit is to be implemented in accordance with Section 63-17-610. See 2008 Act No. 332, SECTION 8 referencing this section as enacted in Chapter 7 of Title 20.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-160 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 63-13-160
SECTION 63-13-160. Injunctions.
Status: in_force

The department is empowered to seek an injunction against the continuing operation of a childcare facility in the family court having jurisdiction over the county in which the facility is located: (1) when a facility is operating without a license or statement of registration; (2) when there is any violation of this chapter or of the regulations promulgated by the department which threatens serious harm to children in the childcare facility; (3) when an operator has repeatedly violated this chapter or the regulations of the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1835 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 17 / Section 63-19-1835
SECTION 63-19-1835. Compliance reductions for probationers and parolees.
Status: in_force

The department may grant up to a ten-day reduction of the probationary or parole term to probationers and parolees who are under the department's supervision for each month they are compliant with the terms and conditions of their probation or parole order.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-2180 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 15 / Section 63-17-2180
SECTION 63-17-2180. Employer prohibited actions against employee.
Status: in_force

An employer is prohibited from discharging, refusing to employ, or taking other disciplinary action against a person because of an income withholding order for health coverage. The person has the burden of proving that income withholding for health coverage was the sole reason for the employer's action.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-360 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 63-3-360
SECTION 63-3-360. Expenses of family courts.
Status: in_force

The General Assembly shall in the annual general appropriations act provide for the salaries, equipment and supplies of family court judges and the court reporters and secretaries authorized by the provisions of subsection (C) of Section 63-3-20. All other costs necessary for the operation of the family court system in a county including the salaries of necessary support personnel shall be provided for by the governing body of that county.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-700 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 6 / Section 63-5-700
SECTION 63-5-700. Termination of custodianship.
Status: in_force

The custodian shall transfer in an appropriate manner the custodial property to the minor or to the minor's estate upon the earlier of: (1) the minor's attainment of twenty-one years of age with respect to custodial property transferred under Section 63-5-620 or 63-5-625; (2) the minor's attainment of majority under the laws of this State other than this article with respect to custodial property transferred under Section 63-5-630 or 63-5-635; or (3) the minor's death.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-800 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 5 / Section 63-17-800
SECTION 63-17-800. Paternity testing.
Status: in_force

(A) If the testimony and other supplementary evidence presented at the negotiation conference demonstrate a reasonable probability that the alleged father had sexual intercourse with the child's mother during the probable time of the child's conception or if the evidence shows a probable existence of a presumption, the division may issue a subpoena ordering the alleged father to submit to paternity genetic testing. A reasonable probability of sexual intercourse during the possible time of conception may be established by affidavit of the child's mother. (B) If the division does not receive a timely written denial of paternity or if an alleged father fails to appear at the negotiation conference or for a scheduled paternity test, the division may enter an order declaring the alleged father the legal father of the child. The order takes effect fifteen days after entry of default unless the alleged father before the fifteenth day presents good cause for failure to make a timely denial or for failure to appear at the negotiation conference or to undergo genetic testing. The division may not enter an order under this section if there is more than one alleged father unless the default applies to only one alleged father and all other alleged fathers have been excluded by the results of genetic testing. If there is more than one alleged father who has not been excluded by the results of genetic testing, the division may petition the court for a hearing to establish paternity. (C) If the rights of others and the interests of justice require, the division may apply to any Family Court for an order compelling an alleged father to submit to genetic testing. The court shall hear the matter as expeditiously as possible. If the court finds reasonable cause to believe that the alleged father is the natural or presumed father of the child, the court shall enter an order compelling the alleged father to submit to a genetic test. As provided in subsection (A), reasonable cause may be established by affidavit of the child's mother.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-370 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 63-19-370
SECTION 63-19-370. Interdepartmental agreements; retention of grant revenues.
Status: in_force

The department may enter into agreements with the governing bodies of other state departments or institutions for the purpose of effecting a more efficient and economical management of any institution or program under its supervision. The department is authorized to make contracts and expend public funds as required to carry out the functions prescribed for it in this chapter within the limits of appropriated funds. All revenues generated from United States Department of Agriculture grants, the Education Finance Act, the Detention Center, and Medicaid federal funding may be retained, carried forward, and expended by the Department of Juvenile Justice, in accordance with applicable regulations, for the costs associated with related programs.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-1726 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 17 / Section 63-11-1726
SECTION 63-11-1726. Data-sharing initiatives.
Status: in_force

All publicly funded early childhood-serving agencies and entities shall participate in data-sharing initiatives supported by the advisory council in furtherance of the requirements listed in Section 63-11-1725.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-2110 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 21 / Section 63-11-2110
SECTION 63-11-2110. Military-Connected Children's Welfare Task Force.
Status: in_force

(A) There is created the "Military-Connected Children's Welfare Task Force" for the purpose of identifying issues related to military-connected children and opening communication between child welfare agencies of this State and local military installations. The task force shall study issues relating to military-connected children as the task force may undertake or as may be requested by the General Assembly. (B) The task force is to be comprised of the following members: (1) the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, or his designee; (2) the Governor, or his designee; (3) the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or his designee; (4) the President of the Senate, or his designee; and (5) a representative of the Children's Trust Fund. (C) The task force shall meet as soon as practicable after the effective date of this act for organizational purposes. (D) The task force shall submit an annual written report to the General Assembly including recommendations to facilitate and open communication between child welfare agencies of this State and local military installations. The findings and recommendations of the task force shall be posted on the Department of Health and Human Services' website. (E) The members of the task force shall serve without compensation and may not receive mileage or per diem. Effect of Amendment 2019 Act No. 1, SECTION 79, in (B)(4), substituted "President of the Senate" for "President Pro Tempore of the Senate".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-770 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 63-11-770
SECTION 63-11-770. Cooperation of public and private agencies.
Status: in_force

All public and private agencies and facilities which provide for or arrange foster care for children shall cooperate with the board of directors and local review boards by making available for review records as may be requested.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-336 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-336
SECTION 63-15-336. Temporary jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(A) A court of this State has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is present in this State and the child has been abandoned or it is necessary in an emergency to protect the child because the child, or a sibling or parent of the child, is subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse. (B) If there is no previous child custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this article and a child custody proceeding has not been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334, a child custody determination made under this section remains in effect until an order is obtained from a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334. If a child custody proceeding has not been or is not commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334, a child custody determination made under this section becomes a final determination, if it so provides and this State becomes the home state of the child. (C) If there is a previous child custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this article, or a child custody proceeding has been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334, any order issued by a court of this State under this section must specify in the order a period that the court considers adequate to allow the person seeking an order to obtain an order from the state having jurisdiction under Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334. The order issued in this State remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other state within the period specified or the period expires. (D) A court of this State which has been asked to make a child custody determination under this section, upon being informed that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child custody determination has been made by, a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334, shall immediately communicate with the other court. A court of this State, which is exercising jurisdiction pursuant to Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334, upon being informed that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child custody determination has been made by a court of another state under a statute similar to this section, shall immediately communicate with the court of that state to resolve the emergency, protect the safety of the parties and the child, and determine a period for the duration of the temporary order.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-370 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 63-9-370
SECTION 63-9-370. Adoption of a child in the custody of the Department of Social Services.
Status: in_force

(A) Consent or relinquishment for the purpose of adoption, pursuant to Section 63-9-310, for a minor child who is in the custody of the department by a removal action under Section 63-7-1660, is valid, binding, and enforceable. However, if a cause of action for the termination of parental rights affecting a minor child who is in the custody of the department by a removal action under Section 63-7-1660 was filed prior to the execution of a consent or relinquishment, then the consent or relinquishment and any further action on the petition for adoption, while valid, remains subject to the pendency of the termination of parental rights action and any order of the court pursuant thereto. (B) Notwithstanding subsection (A), the department may move the court to make specific written findings that the consent or relinquishment has been freely, knowingly, and voluntarily given or that the consent or relinquishment is invalid on any of the following grounds: (1) the adoptee lacks the mental capacity to give consent pursuant to Section 63-9-310(A)(1); (2) the person lacks the mental capacity to give consent pursuant to Section 63-9-320(A)(2) as a result of: (a) suffering from mental illness, impairment, or deficiency; (b) being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs or abusing prescription medication; or (c) being impaired by medical treatment; or (3) the consent or relinquishment was not given voluntarily or was obtained through undue influence, duress, or coercion. (C) The custody of a minor child who is in the custody of the department shall not be modified pursuant to a consent or relinquishment prior to a hearing being held in court, wherein the department is a party, for the purpose of determining whether the requirements of this section and Section 63-9-60 have been met with regard to the standing of the petitioner and validity of any consent or relinquishment for the purpose of adoption. (D) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, the court must consider the best interests of the child in making any findings pursuant to this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-2600 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 7 / Section 63-7-2600
SECTION 63-7-2600. Confidentiality.
Status: in_force

All papers and records pertaining to a termination of parental rights are confidential and all court records must be sealed and opened only upon order of the judge for good cause shown.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-320 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 63-9-320
SECTION 63-9-320. Persons not required to give consent or relinquishment.
Status: in_force

(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 63-9-310, consent or relinquishment for the purpose of adoption is not required of the following persons: (1) a parent whose rights with reference to the adoptee have been terminated pursuant to Article 7, Chapter 7; (2) a parent whom the family court finds to be mentally incapable of giving consent or relinquishment for the purpose of adoption and whom the court finds to be unlikely to provide minimally acceptable care of the adoptee and whose capacity is unlikely to be restored for a reasonable period of time, and, in the court's judgment, it would be detrimental to the adoptee to delay adoption. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for an incompetent parent for whom there has been no prior appointment and shall appoint independent counsel for an incompetent parent who is indigent. However, upon good cause shown, the court may waive the requirement for the appointment of independent counsel for an incompetent and indigent parent; (3) the biological parent of a child conceived as a result of that parent's criminal sexual conduct or incest as found by a court of competent jurisdiction unless, with respect to a conviction for criminal sexual conduct, the sentencing court makes specific findings on the record that the conviction resulted from consensual sexual conduct where neither the victim nor the actor were younger than fourteen years of age nor older than eighteen years of age at the time of the offense. (B) A parent who has executed a relinquishment pursuant to Section 63-9-330 to a person facilitating the adoption or to a child placing agency for the purpose of adoption of his child is not required to execute a separate consent document also. Editor's Note 2005 Act No. 168, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "This act may be cited as 'Autumn's Law' ".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-538 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-538
SECTION 63-15-538. Content of temporary custody order.
Status: in_force

(A) An order granting custodial responsibility pursuant to this article must: (1) designate the order as temporary; and (2) identify to the extent feasible the destination, duration, and conditions of the deployment. (B) If applicable, a temporary order for custodial responsibility must: (1) specify the allocation of caretaking authority, decision-making authority, or limited contact among the deploying parent, the other parent, and any nonparent; (2) if the order divides caretaking or decision-making authority between individuals or grants caretaking authority to one individual and limited contact to another, provide a process to resolve any significant dispute that may arise; (3) provide for liberal communication between the deploying parent and the child during deployment, including through electronic means, unless contrary to the best interest of the child, and allocate any costs of communications; (4) provide for liberal contact between the deploying parent and the child during the time the deploying parent is on leave or is otherwise available, unless contrary to the best interest of the child; (5) provide for reasonable contact between the deploying parent and the child following return from deployment until the temporary order is terminated, which may include more time than the deploying parent spent with the child before entry of the temporary order; and (6) provide that the order will terminate following return from deployment according to the procedures pursuant to Subarticle 4.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-630 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-630
SECTION 63-7-630. Notification of Department of Social Services.
Status: in_force

When an officer takes a child into emergency protective custody under this subarticle, the officer immediately shall notify the department. The department shall notify the parent, guardian, or other person exercising temporary or permanent control over the child as early as reasonably possible of the location of the child unless there are compelling reasons for believing that disclosure of this information would be contrary to the best interests of the child.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-40 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 1 / Section 63-7-40
SECTION 63-7-40. Safe haven for abandoned babies.
Status: in_force

(A) A safe haven in this State must, without a court order, take temporary physical custody of an infant who is voluntarily left with the safe haven by a person who does not express an intent to return for the infant and the circumstances give rise to a reasonable belief that the person does not intend to return for the infant. If the safe haven is a hospital or hospital outpatient facility, the hospital or hospital facility shall perform any act necessary to protect the physical health or safety of the infant; any other safe haven shall, as soon as possible, but no later than six hours after receiving an infant, transport the infant to a hospital or hospital outpatient facility. The person leaving the infant is not required to disclose his or her identity; however, the person must leave the infant in the physical custody of a staff member or employee of the safe haven. (B)(1) A facility, agency, or other location designated as a safe haven pursuant to subsection (J)(2) must post a notice prepared by the department on its premises that is prominently displayed for view by the public, stating that the facility, agency, or other location is a safe haven at which a person may leave an infant. (2) The safe haven must offer the person leaving the infant information concerning the legal effect of leaving the infant with the safe haven. (3) The safe haven must ask the person leaving the infant to identify any parent of the infant other than the person leaving the infant with the safe haven. The safe haven also must attempt to obtain from the person information concerning the infant's background and medical history as specified on a form provided by the department. This information must include, but is not limited to, information concerning the use of a controlled substance by the infant's mother, provided that information regarding the use of a controlled substance by the infant's mother is not admissible as evidence of the unlawful use of a controlled substance in any court proceeding. The safe haven must give the person a copy of the form and a prepaid envelope for mailing the form to the department if the person does not wish to provide the information to the safe haven. The department must provide these materials to safe havens. (4) Identifying information disclosed by the person leaving the infant must be kept confidential by the safe haven and disclosed to no one other than the department. However, if a court determines that the immunity provisions of subsection (H) do not apply, the safe haven may disclose the information as permitted by confidentiality protections applicable to records of the safe haven, if the safe haven has such confidentiality protections for records. The department must maintain confidentiality of this information in accordance with Section 63-7-1990. (C) Not later than the close of the first business day after the date on which a hospital or hospital outpatient facility takes possession of an infant pursuant to subsection (A), the hospital or hospital outpatient facility shall notify the department that it has taken temporary physical custody of the infant. The department has legal custody of the infant immediately upon receipt of the notice. The department shall assume physical control of the infant as soon as practicable upon receipt of the notice, but no later than twenty-four hours after receiving notice that the infant is ready for discharge from the hospital or hospital outpatient facility. Assumption of custody by the department pursuant to this subsection does not constitute emergency protective custody, and the provisions of Subarticle 3 of Article 3 do not apply. The department is not required to initiate a child protective services investigation solely because an infant comes into its custody under this subsection. (D) Immediately after receiving notice from a hospital or hospital outpatient facility pursuant to subsection (C), the department shall contact the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for assistance in assuring that the infant is not a missing infant. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division shall treat the request as ongoing for a period of thirty days and shall contact the department if a missing infant report is received that might relate to the infant. (E)(1) Within forty-eight hours after taking legal custody of the infant, the department shall publish notice, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the safe haven that initially took the infant is located, and send a news release to broadcast and print media in the area. The notice and the news release must state the circumstances under which the infant was left at the safe haven, a description of the infant, and the date, time, and place of the permanency planning and termination of parental rights hearing provided for in subsection (E)(2). The notice and the news release must also state that any person wishing to assert parental rights in regard to the infant must do so at the hearing. If the person leaving the infant identified anyone as being a parent of the infant, the notice must be sent by certified mail to the last known address of the person identified as a parent at least two weeks prior to the hearing. (2) Within forty-eight hours after obtaining legal custody of the infant, the department shall file a petition for permanency planning alleging that the infant has been abandoned, that the court should dispense with reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify the family, that continuation of keeping the infant in the home of the parent or parents would be contrary to the welfare of the infant, and that termination of parental rights is in the best interest of the infant. The department shall file concurrently with the petition for permanency planning a petition for termination of parental rights pursuant to Section 63-7-2570 based on abandonment and any other applicable grounds. A hearing on both petitions must be held no earlier than thirty and no later than sixty days after the department takes legal custody of the infant. Unless a person wishing to assert parental rights does so at the hearing, this hearing shall serve as the permanency planning hearing and the termination of parental rights hearing for the infant. If the court approves the permanent plan of termination of parental rights and issues an order terminating parental rights to the infant, the order must also provide that the department shall, within thirty days of the close of the hearing, submit a plan to the court and to the infant's guardian ad litem for permanent placement of the infant and otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 63-7-2580(A). If a person asserts parental rights to the infant at the hearing, and the court approves a permanent plan of termination of parental rights and adoption, the court shall schedule a hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights no later than thirty days after the close of the permanency planning hearing. (F) In any judicial proceeding in which the abuse or neglect of an infant is an issue, the act of voluntarily leaving an infant with a safe haven pursuant to this section is conclusive evidence that the infant has been abused or neglected for purposes of Department of Social Services' jurisdiction and for evidentiary purposes. The act of voluntarily leaving an infant with a safe haven pursuant to this section is also conclusive evidence that the requirements for termination of parental rights have been satisfied as to any parent who left the infant or acted in concert with the person leaving the infant. (G) A person who leaves an infant at a safe haven or directs another person to do so must not be prosecuted for any criminal offense on account of such action if: (1) the person is a parent of the infant or is acting at the direction of a parent; (2) the person leaves the infant in the physical custody of a staff member or an employee of the safe haven; and (3) the infant is not more than sixty days old or the infant is reasonably determined by the hospital or hospital outpatient facility to be not more than sixty days old. This subsection does not apply to prosecution for the infliction of any harm upon the infant other than the harm inherent in abandonment. (H) A safe haven and its agents, and any health care professionals practicing within a hospital or hospital outpatient facility, are immune from civil or criminal liability for any action authorized by this section, so long as the safe haven, or health care professional, complies with all provisions of this section. (I) The department, either alone or in collaboration with any other public entity, shall take appropriate measures to achieve public awareness of the provisions of this section. (J) For purposes of this section: (1) "infant" means a person not more than sixty days old; and (2) "safe haven" means a hospital or hospital outpatient facility, a law enforcement agency, a fire station, an emergency medical services station, or any staffed house of worship during hours when the facility is staffed. (K) Annually the department shall submit a report to the General Assembly containing data on infants who come into the custody of the department pursuant to this section. The data must include, but are not limited to, the date, time, and place where the infant was left, the hospital to which the infant was taken, the health of the infant at the time of being admitted to the hospital, disposition and placement of the infant, and, if available, circumstances surrounding the infant being left at the safe haven. No data in the report may contain identifying information. Effect of Amendment 2016 Act No. 228, SECTION 1, amended (B), (G)(3), and (J)(1), requiring safe havens to post a notice stating that the location is a safe haven, requiring the department of social services to prepare the notice for use by safe havens, allowing the placement of an infant not more than sixty days old at a safe haven, and changing the definition of "infant". 2023 Act No. 80, SECTION 6, rewrote (E). 2023 Act No. 80, SECTION 7, rewrote (F).
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-940 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 9 / Section 63-11-940
SECTION 63-11-940. Director.
Status: in_force

The board of directors may employ a director and other staff as necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned by the board.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-2760 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 21 / Section 63-17-2760
SECTION 63-17-2760. Judicial review.
Status: in_force

A person aggrieved by a determination of the division pursuant to Section 63-17-2720, upon exhaustion of the procedures for administrative review, may seek judicial review in the court where the order or judgment was issued or registered. Commencement of the review shall not stay enforcement of child support. The court may review the proceedings taken by the division pursuant to this section and may correct any mistakes of fact; however, the court may not reduce or retroactively modify child support arrears.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-354 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-354
SECTION 63-15-354. Enforcing other states' orders.
Status: in_force

(A) A court of this State shall recognize and enforce a child custody determination of a court of another state if the latter court exercised jurisdiction in substantial conformity with this article or the determination was made under factual circumstances meeting the jurisdictional standards of this article and the determination has not been modified in accordance with this article. (B) A court of this State may utilize any remedy available under other law of this State to enforce a child custody determination made by a court of another state. The remedies provided in this subarticle are cumulative and do not affect the availability of other remedies to enforce a child custody determination.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-320 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-320
SECTION 63-15-320. Testimony of out-of-state witnesses.
Status: in_force

(A) In addition to other procedures available to a party, a party to a child custody proceeding may offer testimony of witnesses who are located in another state, including testimony of the parties and the child, by deposition or other means allowable in this State for testimony taken in another state. The court on its own motion may order that the testimony of a person be taken in another state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms upon which the testimony is taken. (B) A court of this State may permit an individual residing in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means before a designated court or at another location in that state. A court of this State shall cooperate with courts of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony. (C) Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a court of this State by technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-1640 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-1640
SECTION 63-7-1640. Family preservation.
Status: repealed

(A)(1) When this chapter requires the department to make reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify a family and requires the family court to determine whether these reasonable efforts have been made, the child's health and safety must be the paramount concern. (2) Reasonable efforts required pursuant to item (1) to preserve or reunify a family in which the parent or legal guardian has a disability must include efforts that are individualized and based upon a parent's or legal guardian's specific disability, including referrals for access to adaptive parenting equipment, referrals for instruction on adaptive parenting techniques, and reasonable accommodations with regard to accessing services that are otherwise made available to a parent or legal guardian who does not have a disability. (B) The family court may rule on whether reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify a family should be required in hearings regarding removal of custody, review of amendments to a placement plan, review of the status of a child in foster care, or permanency planning or in a separate proceeding for this purpose. The court may consider this issue on the motion of a named party, the child's guardian ad litem, or the foster care review board, provided that the foster care review board has reviewed the case pursuant to Section 63-11-720 or the child has previous entry into foster care. (C) The family court may authorize the department to terminate or forego reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify a family when the records of a court of competent jurisdiction show or when the family court determines that one or more of the following conditions exist: (1) the parent has subjected the child or another child while residing in the parent's domicile to one or more of the following aggravated circumstances: (a) severe or repeated abuse; (b) severe or repeated neglect; (c) sexual abuse; (d) acts the judge finds constitute torture; or (e) abandonment; (2) the parent has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to murder of another child, or an equivalent offense, in this jurisdiction or another; (3) the parent has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to voluntary manslaughter of another child, or an equivalent offense, in this jurisdiction or another; (4) the parent has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to aiding, abetting, attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit murder or voluntary manslaughter of the child or another child while residing in the parent's domicile, or an equivalent offense, in this jurisdiction or another; (5) physical abuse of a child resulted in the death or admission to the hospital for in-patient care of that child and the abuse is the act for which the parent has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to committing, aiding, abetting, conspiring to commit, or soliciting: (a) an offense against the person, as provided for in Title 16, Chapter 3; (b) criminal domestic violence, as defined in Section 16-25-20; (c) criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, as defined in Section 16-25-65; or (d) the common law offense of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, or an equivalent offense in another jurisdiction; (6) the parental rights of the parent to another child of the parent have been terminated involuntarily; (7) the parent has a diagnosable condition unlikely to change within a reasonable time including, but not limited to, alcohol or drug addiction, mental deficiency, mental illness, or extreme physical incapacity, and the condition makes the parent unable or unlikely to provide minimally acceptable care of the child; (8) other circumstances exist that the court finds make continuation or implementation of reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify the family inconsistent with the permanent plan for the child. (D) The department may proceed with efforts to place a child for adoption or with a legal guardian concurrently with making efforts to prevent removal or to make it possible for the child to return safely to the home. (E) If the family court's decision that reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify a family are not required results from a hearing other than a permanency planning hearing, the court's order shall require that a permanency planning hearing be held within thirty days of the date of the order. (F) In determining whether to authorize the department to terminate or forego reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify a family, the court must consider whether initiation or continuation of reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify the family is in the best interests of the child. If the court authorizes the department to terminate or forego reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify a family, the court must make specific written findings in support of its conclusion that one or more of the conditions set forth in subsection (C)(1) through (8) are shown to exist, and why continuation of reasonable efforts is not in the best interest of the child. If the court does not authorize the department to terminate or forego reasonable efforts where one or more of the conditions set forth in subsection (C)(1) through (8) are shown to exist, the court must make specific written findings in support of its conclusion that continuation of reasonable efforts is in the best interest of the child. The court must not consider the availability or lack of an adoptive resource as a reason to deny the request to terminate or forego reasonable efforts. (G) In any case in which the court authorizes the department to terminate or forego reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify a family, the department shall file a petition for termination of parental rights within sixty days, unless there are compelling reasons why termination of parental rights would be contrary to the best interests of the child. Editor's Note 2010 Act No. 273, SECTION 7.C, provides: "Wherever in the 1976 Code of Laws reference is made to the common law offense of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, it means assault and battery with intent to kill, as contained in repealed Section 16-3-620, and, except for references in Section 16-1-60 and Section 17-25-45, wherever in the 1976 Code reference is made to assault and battery with intent to kill, it means attempted murder as defined in Section 16-3-29." Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment added the phrase starting with "or in a separate proceeding" to the end of the first sentence of subsection (B); added the second sentence to subsection (B); added the phrase starting "or another child" to subparagraph (C)(1); made nonsubstantive changes in subparagraph (C)(1)(d); deleted "of the parent" following "another child" in subparagraphs (C)(2), (C)(3), and (C)(5); substituted "of the child or another child while residing in the parent's domicile," for "pursuant to item (1), (2), or (3)," in subparagraph (C)(4); substituted "another child of the parent" for "a sibling of the child" in subparagraph (C)(6); added a new subparagraph (C)(7), relating to diagnosable conditions of a parent that would permit termination of reunification efforts; redesignated former subparagraph (C)(7) as subparagraph (C)(8); added the second through fourth sentences to subsection (F), relating to the requirement of written findings by the court in certain circumstances; and added subsection (G), relating to filing of a petition for termination of parental rights. 2017 Act No. 36, SECTION 4, inserted the (A)(1) identifier, and added (A)(2), relating to family court determinations whether to require reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify a family when the parent or legal guardian has a disability.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-760 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 63-9-760
SECTION 63-9-760. Effect of final decree.
Status: in_force

(A) After the final decree of adoption is entered, the relationship of parent and child and all the rights, duties, and other legal consequences of the natural relationship of parent and child exist between the adoptee, the adoptive parent, and the kindred of the adoptive parent. (B) After a final decree of adoption is entered, the biological parents of the adoptee are relieved of all parental responsibilities and have no rights over the adoptee. (C) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this section, the adoption of a child by an adoptive parent does not in any way change the legal relationship between the child and either biological parent of the child whose parental responsibilities and rights are not expressly affected by the final decree. (D) The validity of the final decree of adoption is not affected by an agreement entered into before the adoption between adoptive parents and biological parents concerning visitation, exchange of information, or other interaction between the child and any other person. Such an agreement does not preserve any parental rights with the biological parents and does not give to them any rights enforceable in the courts of this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1020 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 7 / Section 63-17-1020
SECTION 63-17-1020. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this article: (1) "Arrearage" means the total amount overdue under an order of support. (2) "Compliance with an order for support" means that pursuant to an order for support the person required to pay under the order is in arrears no more than five-hundred dollars and has paid the full child support obligation for the last two consecutive months. (3) "Director" means the Director of the Child Support Enforcement Division of the State Department of Social Services or his designee. (4) "Division" means the Child Support Enforcement Division of the State Department of Social Services. (5) "License" means: (a) a certificate, license, credential, permit, registration, or any other authorization issued by a licensing entity that allows an individual or is required of an individual to engage in a business, occupation, or profession and includes, but is not limited to, a medical license, teaching certificate, commission and certificate of training from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy for a sworn law enforcement officer, and a hunting, fishing, or trapping license for commercial use and the privilege to hunt, fish, or trap or hold a hunting, fishing, or trapping license for commercial use; (b) a driver's license and includes, but is not limited to, a beginner's or instruction permit, a restricted driver's license, a motorcycle driver's license, or a commercial driver's license; (c) a hunting, fishing, or trapping license for recreational purposes and the privilege to hunt, fish, or trap or hold a hunting, fishing, or trapping license for recreational purposes; (d) a watercraft registration. "License" does not include the authority to practice law; however, the Supreme Court may consider as an additional ground for the discipline of members of the bar the wilful violation of a court order including an order for child support. The department has grounds to file a grievance with the Supreme Court if a licensed attorney is in wilful violation of a court order for child support. (6) "Licensee" means an individual holding a license issued by a licensing entity. (7) "Licensing entity" or "entity" means, for the purposes of issuing or revoking a license, a state, county, or municipal agency, board, department, office, or commission that issues a license. (8) "Order for support" means an order being enforced by the division under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act and which provides for periodic payments of funds for the support of a child or maintenance of a spouse or former spouse and support of a child, whether temporary or final and includes, but is not limited to, an order for reimbursement for public assistance or an order for making periodic payments on a support arrearage.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2450 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 23 / Section 63-19-2450
SECTION 63-19-2450. Alcoholic beverages purchase, consumption, or possession.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person under the age of twenty-one to purchase, attempt to purchase, consume, or knowingly possess alcoholic liquors. Possession is prima facie evidence that it was knowingly possessed. It is also unlawful for a person to falsely represent his age for the purpose of procuring alcoholic liquors. Notwithstanding another provision of law, if the law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a person is under age twenty-one and has consumed alcohol, the law enforcement officer or the person may request that the person submit to any available alcohol screening test using a device approved by the State Law Enforcement Division. (B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or must be imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both. (C) A person who violates the provisions of this section also is required to successfully complete a DAODAS approved alcohol prevention education or intervention program. The program must be a minimum of eight hours and the cost to the person may not exceed one hundred fifty dollars. (D) The provisions of this section do not apply to a student who: (1) is eighteen years of age or older; (2) is enrolled in an accredited college or university and a student in a culinary course that has been approved through review by the State Commission on Higher Education; (3) is required to taste, but not consume or imbibe, any alcoholic liquor as part of the required curriculum; and (4) tastes the liquor pursuant to item (3) only for instructional purposes during classes that are part of the curriculum of the accredited college or university. The alcoholic liquor must remain at all times in the possession and control of an authorized instructor of the college or university who must be twenty-one years of age or older. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to allow a student under the age of twenty-one to receive alcoholic liquor unless it is delivered as part of the student's required curriculum, and it is used only for instructional purposes during classes conducted pursuant to the curriculum. (E) The provisions of this section do not apply to a person under the age of twenty-one who is recruited and authorized by a law enforcement agency to test an establishment's compliance with the laws relating to the unlawful transfer or sale of alcoholic liquors to a minor. The testing must be under the direct supervision of a law enforcement agency, and the agency must have the person's parental consent.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-350 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-350
SECTION 63-7-350. Reports for lack of investigation.
Status: in_force

If the department does not conduct an investigation as a result of information received pursuant to this subarticle, the department must make a record of the information and must classify the record as a Category IV unfounded report in accordance with Section 63-7-930. The department and law enforcement are authorized to use information recorded pursuant to this section for purposes of assessing risk and safety if additional contacts are made concerning the child, the family, or the subject of the report.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-825 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 7 / Section 63-13-825
SECTION 63-13-825. Training for daycare operators and workers.
Status: in_force

(A) An operator of a family childcare home and any person employed by or who contracts with an operator of a family childcare home to provide direct childcare, annually shall complete and provide documentation to the Department of Social Services of a minimum of ten hours of training approved by the department. (B) The department shall indicate on its website those family childcare homes that are, and those that are not, in compliance with this section and may include, but are not limited to, the amount of training the operator and other persons employed by or under contract with a family childcare home have reported to the department. Effect of Amendment 2016 Act No. 263, SECTION 2, in (A), inserted "to provide direct childcare", and substituted "ten hours" for "two hours".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1640 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 15 / Section 63-19-1640
SECTION 63-19-1640. Furloughs.
Status: in_force

The department may grant furloughs, not to exceed thirty days, under prescribed conditions to children domiciled in its custody unaccompanied by a custodial agent. Failure by the child to return from a furlough as directed must be deemed an escape.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-2240 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 11 / Section 63-9-2240
SECTION 63-9-2240. Agreements with other compact states.
Status: in_force

The officers and agencies of this State and its subdivisions having authority to place children are empowered to enter into agreements with appropriate officers or agencies of or in other party states pursuant to item (b) of Subsection 5 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. Any agreement which contains a financial commitment or imposes a financial obligation of this State or subdivision or agency of it is not binding unless it has the approval in writing of the State Treasurer in the case of the State and of the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services in the case of a subdivision of the State, as their respective functions and duties may appear and be appropriate pursuant to this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-400 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 4 / Section 63-15-400
SECTION 63-15-400. Decisions on guardianship, custody, or visitation not to be based solely on person's blindness.
Status: in_force

In making decisions on guardianship, custody, or visitation where a party to the action is blind, the court may not deny the party guardianship, custody, or visitation of a child solely because the party is blind. The blindness of a party only must be used to determine whether or not granting guardianship, custody, or visitation to the party would be in the best interest of the child. Editor's Note 2014 Act No. 193, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Blind Person's Right to Parent Act'."
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-60 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 63-15-60
SECTION 63-15-60. De facto custodian.
Status: in_force

(A) For purposes of this section, "de facto custodian" means, unless the context requires otherwise, a person who has been shown by clear and convincing evidence to have been the primary caregiver for and financial supporter of a child who: (1) has resided with the person for a period of six months or more if the child is under three years of age; or (2) has resided with the person for a period of one year or more if the child is three years of age or older. Any period of time after a legal proceeding has been commenced by a parent seeking to regain custody of the child must not be included in determining whether the child has resided with the person for the required minimum period. (B) A person is not a de facto custodian of a child until the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the person meets the definition of de facto custodian with respect to that child. If the court determines a person is a de facto custodian of a child, that person has standing to seek visitation or custody of that child. (C) The family court may grant visitation or custody of a child to the de facto custodian if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child's natural parents are unfit or that other compelling circumstances exist. (D) No proceeding to establish whether a person is a de facto custodian may be brought concerning a child in the custody of the Department of Social Services. (E) If the court has determined by clear and convincing evidence that a person is a de facto custodian, the court must join that person in the action as a party needed for just adjudication under the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3090 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3090
SECTION 63-17-3090. Credit for out-of-state collections.
Status: in_force

A tribunal of this State shall credit amounts collected for a particular period pursuant to any child-support order against the amounts owed for the same period under any other child-support order for support of the same child issued by a tribunal of this or another state or a foreign country. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, inserted "or a foreign country".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-1960 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-1960
SECTION 63-7-1960. Destruction of certain records.
Status: in_force

The names, addresses, birth dates, identifying characteristics, and other information unnecessary for auditing and statistical purposes of persons named in department records of indicated cases other than the Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect must be destroyed seven years from the date services are terminated. This section does not prohibit the department from maintaining an "indicated case" which contains identifying information on the child who is the subject of the indicated report and those responsible for the child's welfare without identifying a person as perpetrator, and it does not prohibit the department from providing child protective services to the child who is the subject of an indicated report and those responsible for the child's welfare.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1820 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 13 / Section 63-17-1820
SECTION 63-17-1820. Supplemental remedy.
Status: in_force

The remedy provided in this article is in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other remedy otherwise available to enforce a support order of another jurisdiction. Relief under this article may not be denied, delayed, or otherwise affected because of the availability of other remedies, nor may relief under any other statute be delayed or denied because of the availability of this remedy.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-640 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 6 / Section 63-5-640
SECTION 63-5-640. Receipt for custodial property.
Status: in_force

A written acknowledgment of delivery by a custodian constitutes a sufficient receipt and discharge for custodial property transferred to the custodian pursuant to this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-1740 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 7 / Section 63-9-1740
SECTION 63-9-1740. Notice to adoptive parents.
Status: in_force

At the time of placement for adoption, the department shall inform in writing the prospective adoptive parents of the: (1) availability of supplemental benefits; (2) conditions for which the supplemental benefits are available; (3) procedure for application for supplemental benefits.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1040 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 9 / Section 63-19-1040
SECTION 63-19-1040. Indigent defense.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding Title 17, Chapter 3, Defense of Indigents, in determining indigence for the purpose of appointing legal counsel for a child in a delinquency proceeding, the court shall determine the financial ability of the child's parents to retain counsel for the child. If the court determines that the parents are able to retain counsel for the child but the parents refuse to retain counsel and the court appoints counsel, the court may order the parents to reimburse the Indigent Defense Fund or pay the court-appointed attorney in an amount to be determined by the court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2460 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 23 / Section 63-19-2460
SECTION 63-19-2460. Alcoholic beverages in home; religious use exception.
Status: in_force

No provision of law prohibiting the use or possession of beer, wine, or alcoholic beverages by minors shall apply to any minor in the home of his parents or guardian or to any such beverage used for religious ceremonies or purposes so long as such beverage was legally purchased.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-740 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 63-11-740
SECTION 63-11-740. Meetings of local boards; staffing.
Status: in_force

Local boards shall conduct meetings in the judicial circuit which they represent. Each board must be provided sufficient staff to perform its functions as set forth in this article with funds provided in the annual state general appropriations act. Members of the local boards and former members substituting for an absent member may not receive compensation for their services but must be allowed mileage, per diem, and subsistence as provided by law for state boards, committees, and commissions for attendance at board meetings. If needed to ensure a quorum at a board meeting, a current or former member of a local board may serve as a substitute on a board other than his own board, whether or not the substitute member is a resident of the judicial circuit of that board.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-550 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 63-3-550
SECTION 63-3-550. Standing to institute a proceeding regarding neglected or delinquent child.
Status: in_force

The parent or custodian of any child, an official of a child welfare board, any public official charged by law with the care of the poor, the recognized agents of any duly authorized agency, association, society or institution, any person having knowledge or information of a nature which convinces such person that a child is neglected or delinquent or that a child, by reason of its condition, environment or its own acts, is, in accordance with the provisions of this article, subject to the jurisdiction of the court or any person who has suffered injury through the delinquency of any such child or is concerned in its guardianship or adoption or an officer having an arrested child in charge may institute a proceeding respecting such child.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-2230 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 11 / Section 63-9-2230
SECTION 63-9-2230. "Appropriate authority in receiving state" defined.
Status: in_force

As used in item (a) of Subsection 5 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, "appropriate authority in the receiving state" with reference to this State means the Department of Social Services as the compact administrator.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-185 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 63-13-185
SECTION 63-13-185. Childcare facility medication administration to children.
Status: in_force

(A) For purposes of this section, "medication" means a drug that may be obtained with or without a prescription, excluding a topical ointment obtained without a prescription. (B) It shall be unlawful for a director, owner, operator, caregiver, employee, or volunteer of a childcare facility to administer medication to a child under the care of the facility unless: (1) the parent or guardian of the child has submitted to the childcare facility prior to the administration of the medication a signed and dated parental consent form that authorizes the facility to administer the medication to the child, and the authorization is for not longer than one year; (2) the medication is administered as stated on the label directions, or as amended in writing by the child's health care provider; and (3) the medication is not expired. (C) Notwithstanding subsection (B), a director, owner, operator, caretaker, employee, or volunteer of a childcare facility may administer medication to a child without a signed authorization if the parent or guardian: (1) submits to the facility an authorization in an electronic format that is capable of being viewed and saved; or (2) authorizes the childcare facility by telephone to administer a single dose of a medication. (D) This section does not apply to a person who administers a medication as prescribed, directed, or intended, to a child, when that person has a good faith belief the child is suffering from a medical emergency and administering medication would prevent the death or serious injury of the child. (E) A childcare facility shall maintain in each child's record all written documentation and records of verbal communication that confirm parental or guardian permission to administer medication to the minor child as required pursuant to this section. (F) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be imprisoned for up to one year or fined not more than two thousand dollars, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-545 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 63-3-545
SECTION 63-3-545. Clerk of family court shall report the issuance, rescission, or termination of any permanent restraining orders and orders of protection.
Status: in_force

(A) The clerk of the family court shall report to the State Law Enforcement Division, within five days, weekends and holidays excluded, the issuance, rescission, or termination of any: (1) permanent restraining orders; (2) family court orders of protection from domestic abuse act orders; or (3) any other restraining orders, orders of protection, or other orders that prohibit a person from legally purchasing or possessing a firearm, including any and all orders referenced in Section 16-25-30, but only upon being directed to transmit such orders by the appropriate judge. For any form orders provided by Court Administration that may require transmission pursuant to this subsection, Court Administration shall include within the form order a checked box option that the judge may select when appropriate to order the clerk to transmit the appropriate information to SLED. (B) The reporting required by this section must be made in a format approved by the State Law Enforcement Division and Court Administration. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 66, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'Open Carry With Training Act'."
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-630 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 5 / Section 63-19-630
SECTION 63-19-630. Officers; rules and procedures.
Status: in_force

The parole board shall elect from among its members a chairman who shall serve a one-year term and who may not succeed himself as chairman. The parole board may elect a vice-chairman and secretary and shall fix the time and place of meetings. Rules and procedures for parole board meetings, as considered advisable, must be adopted by the parole board. Six members of the parole board constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-400 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 4 / Section 63-11-400
SECTION 63-11-400. Short title.
Status: in_force

This article may be cited as the "South Carolina Child Abuse and Neglect Network." Effect of Amendment 2025 Act No. 19, SECTION 1, substituted "Child Abuse and Neglect Network" for "Children's Advocacy Medical Response System Act".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1070 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 7 / Section 63-17-1070
SECTION 63-17-1070. Disclosure of information.
Status: in_force

(A) Information provided to a licensing entity pursuant to this section is subject to disclosure in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. (B) A person who releases information received by a licensing entity pursuant to this section, except as authorized by this section or another provision of law, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-710 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-710
SECTION 63-7-710. Probable cause hearing.
Status: in_force

(A) The family court shall schedule a probable cause hearing to be held within seventy-two hours of the time the child was taken into emergency protective custody. If the third day falls upon a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the probable cause hearing must be held no later than the next working day. If there is no term of court in the county when the probable cause hearing must be held, the hearing must be held in another county in the circuit. If there is no term of family court in another county in the circuit, the probable cause hearing may be heard in another court in an adjoining circuit. (B) The probable cause hearing may be conducted by video conference at the discretion of the judge. (C) At the probable cause hearing, the family court shall undertake to fulfill the requirements of Section 63-7-1620 and shall determine whether there was probable cause for taking emergency protective custody and for the department to assume legal custody of the child and shall determine whether probable cause to retain legal custody of the child remains at the time of the hearing. (D) At the probable cause hearing, the respondents may submit affidavits as to facts which are alleged to form the basis of the removal and to cross-examine the department's witnesses as to whether there existed probable cause to effect emergency removal. (E) The hearing on the merits to determine whether removal of custody is needed, pursuant to Section 63-7-1660, must be held within thirty-five days of the date of receipt of the removal petition. At the probable cause hearing, the court shall set the time and date for the hearing on the merits. A party may request a continuance that would result in the hearing being held more than thirty-five days after the petition was filed, and the court may grant the request for continuance only if exceptional circumstances exist. If a continuance is granted, the hearing on the merits must be completed within sixty-five days following receipt of the removal petition. The court may continue the hearing on the merits beyond sixty-five days without returning the child to the home only if the court issues a written order with findings of fact supporting a determination that the following conditions are satisfied, regardless of whether the parties have agreed to a continuance: (1) the court finds that the child should remain in the custody of the department because there is probable cause to believe that returning the child to the home would seriously endanger the child's physical safety or emotional well-being; (2) the court schedules the case for trial on a date and time certain which is not more than thirty days after the date the hearing was scheduled to be held; and (3) the court finds that exceptional circumstances support the continuance or the parties and the guardian ad litem agree to a continuance. (F) The court may continue the case past the date and time certain set forth in subsection (E) only if the court issues a new order as required in subsection (E). (G) The court may continue the case because a witness is unavailable only if the court enters a finding of fact that the court cannot decide the case without the testimony of the witness. The court shall consider and rule on whether the hearing can begin and then recess to have the witness' testimony taken at a later date or by deposition. The court shall rule on whether the party offering the witness has exercised due diligence to secure the presence of the witness or to preserve the witness' testimony. (H) This section does not prevent the court from conducting a pendente lite hearing on motion of any party and issuing an order granting other appropriate relief pending a hearing on the merits. (I) If the child is returned to the home pending the merits hearing, the court may impose such terms and conditions as it determines appropriate to protect the child from harm, including measures to protect the child as a witness. (J) When a continuance is granted pursuant to this section, the family court shall ensure that the hearing is rescheduled within the time limits provided in this section and give the hearing priority over other matters pending before the court except a probable cause hearing held pursuant to this section, a detention hearing held pursuant to Section 63-19-830, or a hearing held pursuant to Section 63-19-1030 or 63-19-1210 concerning a child who is in state custody pursuant to Chapter 19. An exception also may be made for child custody hearings if the court, in its discretion, makes a written finding stating compelling reasons, relating to the welfare of the child, for giving priority to the custody hearing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3390 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3390
SECTION 63-17-3390. Disbursement of payments.
Status: in_force

(A) A support enforcement agency or tribunal of this State shall disburse promptly any amounts received pursuant to a support order, as directed by the order. The agency or tribunal shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state or a foreign country a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amounts and dates of all payments received. (B) If neither the obligor, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the child resides in this State, upon request from the support enforcement agency of this State or another state, the Department of Social Services or a tribunal of this State shall: (1) direct that the support payment be made to the support enforcement agency in the state in which the obligee is receiving services; and (2) issue and send to the obligor's employer a conforming income-withholding order or an administrative notice of change of payee, reflecting the redirected payments. (C) The support enforcement agency of this State receiving redirected payments from another state pursuant to a law similar to subsection (B) shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of the other state a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amount and dates of all payments received. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (A), inserted "or a foreign country". Part IV Establishment of Support Order or Determination of Parentage DERIVATION TABLE Showing the section in former Chapter 7, Title 20 from which the section in this part was derived.