S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-920 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 9 / Section 63-11-920
SECTION 63-11-920. Board of directors; terms; filling vacancies; compensation; reports.
Status: in_force

There is created the Board of Directors for the Children's Trust Fund of South Carolina composed of seventeen members appointed by the Governor, ten at large from the State from nominees of the Board of Directors of the Children's Trust Fund, plus one from each of the state's congressional districts. Members shall serve for terms of four years and until successors are appointed and qualify. Vacancies for any reason must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired term. Members may be paid per diem, mileage, and subsistence as established by the board not to exceed the amounts provided by law for state boards, committees, and commissions. A complete report of the activities of the trust fund must be made annually to the General Assembly. Editor's Note 2008 Act No. 273, SECTION 15 provides as follows: "The members of the governing board of the Children's Trust Fund of South Carolina serving on the effective date of this act shall continue to serve until the expirations of their terms, after which their successors must be appointed pursuant to Section 63-11-920 of the 1976 Code, as amended by this act. In appointing the eight additional at-large directors provided pursuant to this act, four must be appointed for initial terms of two years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. The Governor shall note the terms on the appointment." 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." Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment substituted "ten at large" for "eleven at large".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-2540 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 7 / Section 63-7-2540
SECTION 63-7-2540. Content of petition.
Status: in_force

A petition for the termination of parental rights must set forth the: (1) basis of the court's jurisdiction; (2) name, sex, date, and place of birth of the child, if known; (3) name and address of the petitioner and the petitioner's relationship to the child; (4) names, dates of birth, and addresses of the parents, if known; (5) names and addresses of a: (a) legal guardian of the child; or (b) person or agency having legal custody of the child; and (6) grounds on which termination of parental rights are sought and the underlying factual circumstances.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-350 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 63-17-350
SECTION 63-17-350. Grandparent responsibility.
Status: in_force

When a child is born to parents, either or both of whom are unmarried and under eighteen years of age, the Child Support Enforcement Division of the State Department of Social Services may pursue support and maintenance of that child from one or both of the child's maternal and paternal grandparents as long as the parent of the child is under eighteen years of age.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-2345 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 5 / Section 63-7-2345
SECTION 63-7-2345. Payment of costs of Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint-based background checks.
Status: in_force

(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 63-7-2350, the department is authorized to pay from funds appropriated for foster care the costs of Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint-based background checks for foster care families recruited and selected as potential adoption and foster care providers for children in the custody of the department. (B) Costs for Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint-based background checks required for prospective employees or volunteers of a qualified residential treatment program or residential facility, or prospective legal guardians or persons in a prospective placement household aged eighteen years and older, must be paid by the individual or entity requesting the background checks. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment substituted "recruited and selected as potential adoption and foster care providers for children in the custody of" for "recruited, selected, and licensed by". 2024 Act No. 195, SECTION 6, inserted the (A) designator and substituted "fingerprint-based background checks" for "fingerprint reviews"; and added (B).
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-1720 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 7 / Section 63-9-1720
SECTION 63-9-1720. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this article: (1) "Child" means an individual up to twenty-one years of age. (2) "Supplemental benefits" means payments made by the State Department of Social Services to provide services, including medical subsidies for payment for treatment pursuant to Section 63-9-1780, for children who without these services may not have been adopted. (3) "Department" means the Department of Social Services.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-630 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 6 / Section 63-5-630
SECTION 63-5-630. Other transfer by fiduciary.
Status: in_force

(a) Subject to subsection (c), a personal representative or trustee may make an irrevocable transfer to another adult or trust company as custodian for the benefit of a minor pursuant to Section 63-5-645, in the absence of a will or under a will or trust that does not contain an authorization to do so. (b) Subject to subsection (c), a conservator may make an irrevocable transfer to another adult or trust company as custodian for the benefit of the minor pursuant to Section 63-5-645. (c) A transfer under subsection (a) or (b) may be made only if (i) the personal representative, trustee, or conservator considers the transfer to be in the best interest of the minor, (ii) the transfer is not prohibited by or inconsistent with provisions of the applicable will, trust agreement, or other governing instrument, (iii) the transfer is authorized by the court if it exceeds $15,000 in value, and (iv) the custodian nominated by the personal representative, trustee, or conservator, as the case may be, is approved by the court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-4010 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-4010
SECTION 63-17-4010. Extradition.
Status: in_force

(A) For purposes of this article, "governor" includes an individual performing the functions of governor or the executive authority of a state covered by this article. (B) The Governor of this State may: (1) demand that the governor of another state surrender an individual found in the other state who is charged criminally in this State with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee; or (2) on the demand of the governor of another state, surrender an individual found in this State who is charged criminally in the other state with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee. (C) A provision for extradition of individuals not inconsistent with this article applies to the demand even if the individual whose surrender is demanded was not in the demanding state when the crime was allegedly committed and has not fled therefrom. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, reenacted this section with no change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-910 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-910
SECTION 63-7-910. Duties of the department.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) The Department of Social Services may maintain a toll-free number available to persons throughout the State for the referral of family-related problems, including: (a) the reporting of known or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect; (b) other problems of a nature which may affect the stability of family life. (2) This telephone service shall operate continuously. Upon receipt of a call involving suspected abuse or neglect, the Department of Social Services shall transmit the full contents of the report to the appropriate county department office. Immediately upon transmitting the report the department shall destroy the contents of the suspected report. Upon receipt of a call involving other problems of a nature which may affect the stability of family life, the department shall refer the call to the appropriate county department office or other service agency where appropriate. (B) The department shall have within it a separate organizational unit administered within the department with qualified staff and resources sufficient to fulfill the purposes and functions assigned to it by this article. (C) The department's responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to: (1) assigning and monitoring initial child protection responsibility through periodic review of services offered throughout the State; (2) assisting in the diagnosis of child abuse and neglect; (3) coordinating referrals of known or suspected child abuse and neglect; (4) measuring the effectiveness of existing child protection programs and facilitating research, planning, and program development; and (5) establishing and monitoring a statewide Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect. (D) The department may contract for the delivery of protective services, family preservation services, foster care services, family reunification services, adoptions services, and other related services or programs. The department shall remain responsible for the quality of the services or programs and shall ensure that each contract contains provisions requiring the provider to deliver services in accordance with departmental policies and state and federal law. (E) The department may promulgate regulations and formulate policies and methods of administration to carry out effectively child protective services, activities, and responsibilities.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-2215 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 22 / Section 63-11-2215
SECTION 63-11-2215. Administrative support of department.
Status: in_force

The Department of Administration shall provide administrative support to the Department of Children's Advocacy for the performance of its duties, including, but not limited to, financial accounting support, human resources administrative support, information technology shared services support, procurement services, and logistical support. Editor's Note 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."
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-720 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 5 / Section 63-17-720
SECTION 63-17-720. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Arrearage" means amounts of past-due and unpaid monthly support obligations established by court or administrative order. (2) "Costs of collections" means costs as provided for in Section 63-3-370 in addition to the monthly support obligation. (3) "Court" or "judge" means any court or judge in this State having jurisdiction to determine the liability of persons for the support of another person. (4) "Custodian" means a parent, relative, legal guardian, or other person or agency having physical custody of a child. (5) "Dependent child" means a person who is legally entitled to or the subject of a support order for the provision of proper or necessary subsistence, education, medical care, or other care necessary for the person's health, guidance, or well-being who is not otherwise emancipated, self-supporting, married, or a member of the armed forces of the United States. (6) "Director" means the Director of the Child Support Enforcement Division of the State Department of Social Services or the director's designees. (7) "Division" means the Child Support Enforcement Division of the State Department of Social Services. (8) "Duty of support" means a duty of support imposed by law, by order, decree, or judgment of a court or by administrative order, whether interlocutory or final, or whether incidental to an action for divorce, separation, separate maintenance, or otherwise. "Duty of support" includes the duty to pay a monthly support obligation and any arrearage. (9) "Monthly support obligation" means the monthly amount of current child support that an obligor is ordered to pay by the court or by the division pursuant to this article. (10) "Obligee" means a person or agency to whom a duty of support is owed or a person or agency having commenced a proceeding for the establishment or enforcement of an alleged duty of support. (11) "Obligor" means a person owing a duty of support or against whom a proceeding for the establishment or enforcement of a duty to support is commenced. (12) "Order" means an administrative order that involves the establishment of paternity and/or the establishment and enforcement of an order for child support and/or medical support issued by the Child Support Enforcement Division of the State Department of Social Services or the administrative agency of another state or comparable jurisdiction with similar authority. (13) "Payee" means a custodial parent on whose behalf child support payments are being collected or an agency or its designee in this or another state to which an assignment of rights to child support has been made. (14) "Receipt of notice" means either the date on which service of process of a notice of financial responsibility is actually accomplished or the date on the return receipt if service is by certified mail, both in accordance with one of the methods of service specified in Section 63-17-740.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-685 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 6 / Section 63-5-685
SECTION 63-5-685. Liability to third persons.
Status: in_force

(a) A claim based on (i) a contract entered into by a custodian acting in a custodial capacity, (ii) an obligation arising from the ownership or control of custodial property, or (iii) a tort committed during the custodianship, may be asserted against the custodial property by proceeding against the custodian in the custodial capacity, whether or not the custodian or the minor is personally liable therefor. (b) A custodian is not personally liable: (1) on a contract properly entered into in the custodial capacity unless the custodian fails to reveal that capacity and to identify the custodianship in the contract; or (2) for an obligation arising from control of custodial property or for a tort committed during the custodianship unless the custodian is personally at fault. (c) A minor is not personally liable for an obligation arising from ownership of custodial property or for a tort committed during the custodianship unless the minor is personally at fault.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-1210 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 11 / Section 63-13-1210
SECTION 63-13-1210. State advisory committee established.
Status: in_force

(A) A State Advisory Committee on the Regulation of Childcare Facilities is established. It consists of seventeen members appointed by the Governor, in accordance with the following: (1) Five of the members appointed must be parents of children who are receiving childcare services at the time of appointment, with no less than three representing the entrepreneurial facilities. (2) Eight of the members appointed must be representative of owners and operators of childcare facilities, one of which must be an operator of a childcare home. No less than five other appointees must be operators of facilities subject to regulation who are actively engaged in the operation for profit. (3) One member appointed shall represent the educational community of the State. Nominees for membership on the advisory committee pursuant to items (1), (2), and (3) must be made from lists furnished the Governor by South Carolina organizations representing the various types of childcare facilities defined in this chapter. (4) One member appointed shall represent the business community of the State. Nominees for membership pursuant to this item must be made from lists furnished the Governor by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. (5) Two members appointed shall represent church-operated childcare centers, one of whom must be an operator of a church childcare center and one of whom must be a parent of a child who is receiving childcare services in a church-operated childcare center at the time of appointment. (B) Members shall serve for terms of three years and until their successors are appointed and qualify, except that of those initially appointed five shall serve for one year, five for two years, and five for three years. Vacancies must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term only. Reappointment to serve a full term may ensue at the discretion of the Governor, however, no member may be permitted to succeed himself after serving a full term. (C) The chairman of the committee must be designated by the Governor from among the appointees selected pursuant to the provisions of items (1) and (2) of subsection (A) of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-20 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 63-15-20
SECTION 63-15-20. Religious faith.
Status: in_force

In placing the child in the custody of an individual or a private agency or institution, the court shall, whenever practicable, select a person or an agency or institution governed by persons of the same religious faith as that of the parents of such child, or, in case of a difference in the religious faith of the parents, then of the religious faith of the child, or, if the religious faith of the child is not ascertainable, then of the faith of either of the parents.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1610 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 15 / Section 63-19-1610
SECTION 63-19-1610. Exclusive care; payment by local governments for use of facilities.
Status: in_force

From the time of lawful reception of a child by the Department of Juvenile Justice and during the child's stay in custody in a correctional institution, facility, or program operated by the department, the child shall be under the exclusive care, custody, and control of the department. All expenses must be borne by the State except local governments utilizing the juvenile detention services provided by the Department of Juvenile Justice must pay the department a per diem of fifty dollars a day per child. The department may apply the remainder of the funds generated by this item, if any, to operational or capital expenses associated with juvenile services provided by the department. If adequate funding is not received, the department shall have flexibility to use funds from other programmatic areas to maintain an appropriate level of service.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3330 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3330
SECTION 63-17-3330. Fees and costs.
Status: in_force

(A) The petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or other costs. (B) If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal of this State may assess against an obligor filing fees, reasonable attorney's fees, other costs, and necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by the obligee and the obligee's witnesses. The tribunal may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against the obligee or the support enforcement agency of either the initiating or the responding state or foreign country, except as provided by other law. Attorney's fees may be taxed as costs, and may be ordered paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in the attorney's own name. Payment of support owed to the obligee has priority over fees, costs, and expenses. (C) The tribunal shall order the payment of costs and reasonable attorney's fees if it determines that a hearing was requested primarily for delay. In a proceeding under Part VI, a hearing is presumed to have been requested primarily for delay if a registered support order is confirmed or enforced without change. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (B), inserted "of this State" following "a responding tribunal", and inserted "or foreign country" following "responding state".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-430 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 3 / Section 63-13-430
SECTION 63-13-430. License renewal.
Status: in_force

(A) Regular licenses 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 in the manner it prescribes. (C) Before renewing a license 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 license must be renewed. The licensee shall cooperate with the investigation and related inspections by providing access to the physical plant, records, and staff. Failure to comply with the regulations promulgated by the department within the time period specified in this chapter, if adequate notification of deficiencies has been made, is a ground for revocation of the license. The investigation and inspections may involve consideration of any facts, conditions, or circumstances relevant to the operation of the childcare center or group childcare home. (D)(1) No license may be renewed for any operator who has been convicted of any of the offenses included in Section 63-13-40(A)(1). (2) 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 to be an operator. (E) Application forms for license renewals 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 a license renewal as operator 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) A licensee seeking license renewal under this section, its employees, and its caregivers, who have not done so previously, on the first 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. (G) No facility may employ or engage the services of an employee or caregiver who has been convicted of one of the crimes included in Section 63-13-40(A)(1). (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 4, in (D), inserted the (1) identifier, 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 (2) identifier; in (E), substituted "Section 63-13-40(A)(1)" for "subsection (D)"; rewrote (F); in (G), substituted "included in Section 63-13-40(A)(1)" for "listed in this section"; and added (H). 2024 Act No. 195, SECTION 10, in (F), in the first sentence, substituted "fingerprint-based background check" for "fingerprint review" in two places.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-340 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-340
SECTION 63-7-340. Previous reports.
Status: in_force

When a report is referred to the department for an investigation or other response, the department must determine whether previous reports have been made regarding the same child or the same subject of the report. In determining whether previous reports have been made, the department must determine whether there are any suspected, indicated, or unfounded reports maintained pursuant to Section 63-7-930 regarding the same child or the same subject of the report.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1540 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 11 / Section 63-17-1540
SECTION 63-17-1540. Forms.
Status: in_force

The Department of Social Services and the Office of Court Administration shall design suggested legal forms for proceeding under this article and shall make available to the courts for distribution to parties in support actions these forms and informational materials which describe the procedures and remedies set forth in this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3060 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3060
SECTION 63-17-3060. Tribunal to enforce or modify.
Status: in_force

(A) A tribunal of this State that has issued a child-support order consistent with the law of this State may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce: (1) the order if the order is the controlling order and has not been modified by a tribunal of another state that assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act; or (2) a money judgment for arrears of support and interest on the order accrued before a determination that an order of a tribunal of another state is the controlling order. (B) A tribunal of this State having continuing jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce the order. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (A)(2), inserted "a tribunal of".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-30 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 63-13-30
SECTION 63-13-30. Caregiver requirements.
Status: in_force

(A) A caregiver who begins employment in a licensed or approved childcare center in South Carolina after June 30, 1994, must have at least a high school diploma, a high school equivalency credential recognized by the State Board of Education, Certificate of Completion, or a South Carolina High School Employability Credential. Within thirty days of being employed, a caregiver must complete fifteen hours of health and safety service provider training. The caregiver shall be directly supervised for a period of at least thirty days by a staff person with at least one year of experience as a caregiver in a licensed or approved childcare facility and until such time as the caregiver has completed the required health and safety service provider training, provided the caregiver is also in compliance with Section 63-13-40 relating to required background checks. (B) A caregiver who has a high school diploma, a high school equivalency credential recognized by the State Board of Education, Certificate of Completion, or a South Carolina High School Employability Credential and at least six months' experience as a caregiver in a licensed or approved facility and is employed as of July 1, 1994, in a licensed or approved childcare center in South Carolina is exempt from the requirements of subsection (A). Effect of Amendment 2024 Act No. 216, SECTION 1, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-2270 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 11 / Section 63-9-2270
SECTION 63-9-2270. Placement of delinquent children.
Status: in_force

Any court having jurisdiction to place delinquent children may place such a child in an institution in another state pursuant to Subsection 6 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and shall retain jurisdiction as provided in Subsection 5 thereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3910 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3910
SECTION 63-17-3910. Definitions.
Status: in_force

(1) "Application" means a request under the convention by an obligee or obligor, or on behalf of a child, made through a central authority for assistance from another central authority. (2) "Central authority" means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in Section 63-17-2910(5)(d) to perform the functions specified in the convention. (3) "Convention support order" means a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country described in Section 63-17-2910(5)(d). (4) "Direct request" means a petition filed by an individual in a tribunal of this State in a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor, or child residing outside the United States. (5) "Foreign central authority" means the entity designated by a foreign country described in Section 63-17-2910(5)(d) to perform the functions specified in the convention. (6) "Foreign support agreement": (a) means an agreement for support in a record that: (i) is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin; (ii) has been: (A) formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal; or (B) authenticated by, or concluded, registered, or filed with a foreign tribunal; and (iii) may be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal; and (b) includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the convention. (7) "United States central authority" means the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION 63-17-3910, titled State court as responding tribunal, had the following history: 2008 Act No. 361, SECTION 2, and was omitted by 2015 Act No. 33, eff June 1, 2015.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-40 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 63-3-40
SECTION 63-3-40. Initial election.
Status: in_force

(A) The General Assembly shall elect a number of family court judges from each judicial circuit as follows: (B) In the following judicial circuits at least one family court judge must be a resident of each county in the circuit: fifth, seventh, tenth, twelfth, thirteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth. In those judicial circuits made up of three or more counties, at least one family court judge must be a resident of one of the counties which does not have the largest population in the circuit. In the ninth circuit, both counties in the circuit must have at least two resident family court judges. (C) No county in the sixth circuit shall have more than one resident family court judge. (D) In addition to the judges authorized by this section, there must be eight additional family court judges elected by the General Assembly from the State at large for terms of office of six years. These additional judges must be elected without regard to county or circuit of residence. Each office of the at-large judges is a separate office and is assigned numerical designations of Seat No. 1 through Seat No. 8, respectively. Editor's Note 2012 Act No. 241, SECTION 3, provides as follows: "The Judicial Merit Selection Commission shall begin the process of nominating candidates for the judicial offices authorized by the provisions of SECTIONS 1 and 2, and the General Assembly then shall elect these judges from the nominees of the commission; except that, the nominating process may not begin until funding for the additional judges is provided in the general appropriations act." 2022 Act No. 232, SECTION 3, provides as follows: "SECTION 3. The Judicial Merit Selection Commission shall begin the process of nominating candidates for the judicial offices authorized by the provisions of SECTIONS 1 and 2. The General Assembly then shall elect these judges from the nominees of the commission; except that, the nominating process may not begin until funding for the additional judges is provided in the general appropriations act." 2025 Act No. 7, SECTION 2, provides as follows: "SECTION 2. The Judicial Merit Selection Commission shall begin the process of nominating candidates for the judicial offices authorized by the provisions of SECTION 1. The General Assembly then shall elect these judges from the nominees of the commission; except that, the nominating process may not begin until funding for the additional judges is provided in the general appropriations act." Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment added subsection (D). 2016 Act No. 253, SECTION 1, amended (D), adding two additional family court judges. 2022 Act No. 232, SECTION 2, in (A), in the "First Circuit" row, substituted "Four Judges" for "Three Judges", in the "Seventh Circuit" row, substituted "Four Judges" for "Three Judges", and in the "Sixteenth Circuit" row, substituted "Three Judges" for "Two Judges". 2025 Act No. 7, SECTION 1, in (A), in the "Ninth Circuit" row, substituted "Seven Judges" for "Six Judges" and in the "Eleventh Circuit" and "Fourteenth Circuit" rows, substituted "Four Judges" for "Three Judges".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-306 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-306
SECTION 63-15-306. Indian children proceedings exempt.
Status: in_force

(A) A child custody proceeding that pertains to an Indian child as defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC Section 1901 et seq., is not subject to this article to the extent that it is governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act. (B) A court of this State shall treat a tribe as if it were a state of the United States for the purpose of applying Subarticles 1 and 2. (C) A child custody determination made by a tribe under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of this article must be recognized and enforced under Subarticle 3.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-900 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-900
SECTION 63-7-900. Purpose of the subarticle.
Status: in_force

(A) It is the purpose of this subarticle to encourage the voluntary acceptance of any service offered by the department in connection with child abuse and neglect or another problem of a nature affecting the stability of family life. (B) The department must be staffed adequately with persons trained in the investigation of suspected child abuse and neglect and in the provision of services to abused and neglected children and their families. (C) The department actively must seek the cooperation and involvement of local public and private institutions, groups, and programs concerned with matters of child protection and welfare within the area it serves. (D) In all instances, the agency must act in accordance with the policies, procedures, and regulations promulgated and distributed by the State Department of Social Services pursuant to this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-4040 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-4040
SECTION 63-17-4040. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this article or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this article are severable. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-1030 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 9 / Section 63-13-1030
SECTION 63-13-1030. Statement of registration.
Status: in_force

A statement of registration must be issued when the church or religious childcare operator or group childcare home operator satisfactorily completes the procedures prescribed by this chapter. An application for a statement of registration must include the name and address of the director, the address of the facility, and the number of children who may be served. Failure of the department to approve or deny an application within ninety days results in the granting of a provisional registration. The current statement of registration must be displayed in a prominent place in the facility at all times, and the registration number must be stated in all advertisements of the church or religious childcare center or group childcare home.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-554 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-554
SECTION 63-15-554. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
Status: in_force

This article modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 7001, et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede Section 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Section 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in Section 103(b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Section 7003(b).
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-2340 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 5 / Section 63-7-2340
SECTION 63-7-2340. Fingerprint-based background check.
Status: in_force

(A) A person applying for licensure as a foster parent or for approval for adoption placement, for approval as a prospective legal guardian for a child in the custody of DSS, or seeking employment or a volunteer role with direct, unsupervised contact with children under the age of eighteen in a child-placing agency, qualified residential treatment program or residential facility, or a contracted service provider, and a person eighteen years of age or older, residing in a home in which a person has applied to be licensed as a foster parent or an approved adoption placement, must undergo a state fingerprint-based background check to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division to determine any state criminal history and a fingerprint-based background check to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine any other criminal history. (B) 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. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment inserted "or for approval for adoption placement" and "or an approved adoption placement" in subsection (A). 2024 Act No. 195, SECTION 6, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3300 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3300
SECTION 63-17-3300. Department of Social Services as state information agency.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Social Services is the state information agency under this article. (B) The state information agency shall: (1) compile and maintain a current list, including addresses, of the tribunals in this State which have jurisdiction under this article and any support enforcement agencies in this State and transmit a copy to the state information agency of every other state; (2) maintain a register of names and addresses of tribunals and support enforcement agencies received from other states; (3) forward to the appropriate tribunal in the county in this State in which the obligee who is an individual or the obligor resides, or in which the obligor's property is believed to be located, all documents concerning a proceeding under this article received from another state or a foreign country; and (4) obtain information concerning the location of the obligor and the obligor's property within this State not exempt from execution, by such means as postal verification and federal or state locator services, examination of telephone directories, requests for the obligor's address from employers, and examination of governmental records, including, to the extent not prohibited by other law, those relating to real property, vital statistics, law enforcement, taxation, motor vehicles, driver's licenses, and social security. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (B)(3), substituted "received from another state or a foreign country" for "received from an initiating tribunal or the state information agency of the initiating state".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-710 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 6 / Section 63-5-710
SECTION 63-5-710. Effect on existing custodianships.
Status: repealed

(a) Any transfer of custodial property as now defined in this article made before the effective date of this article is validated notwithstanding that there was no specific authority in the South Carolina Uniform Gifts to Minors Act for the coverage of custodial property of that kind or for a transfer from that source at the time the transfer was made. (b) This article applies to all transfers made before the effective date of this article in a manner and form prescribed in the South Carolina Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, except insofar as the application impairs constitutionally vested rights or extends the duration of custodianships in existence on the effective date of this article. Editor's Note 2022 Act No. 128, SECTION 7, provides as follows: "SECTION 7. Article 5 of this chapter, known as the 'South Carolina Uniform Gifts to Minors Act', is hereby repealed. To the extent that this article, by virtue of Section 63-5-710(b), does not apply to transfers made in a manner prescribed in the South Carolina Gifts to Minors Act or to the powers, duties, and immunities conferred by transfers in that manner upon custodians and persons dealing with custodians, the repeal of the South Carolina Gifts to Minors Act does not affect those transfers or those powers, duties, and immunities."
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-556 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-556
SECTION 63-15-556. Savings clause.
Status: in_force

This article does not affect the validity of a temporary court order concerning custodial responsibility during deployment that was entered before the effective date of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-1340 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 13 / Section 63-11-1340
SECTION 63-11-1340. Director and other staff; promulgation of regulations.
Status: in_force

The Department of Children's Advocacy may employ a Director of the Continuum of Care and staff necessary to carry out the provisions of this article. The funds for the division director, staff, and other purposes of the Continuum of Care Division must be provided in the annual general appropriations act. The department, upon the recommendation of the division director, may promulgate regulations in accordance with this article and the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act and formulate necessary policies and procedures of administration and operation to carry out effectively the objectives of this article. Editor's Note 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 2014 Act No. 121, SECTION 7.MM.3, substituted "appoint a Director of the Continuum of Care" for "employ a director" in the first sentence; inserted "division" before "director" in the third sentence; and substituted "department, upon the recommendation of the division director, may" for "division shall" in the last sentence. 2018 Act No. 160, SECTION 7, in the first sentence, substituted "State Child Advocate" for "Governor", and deleted "who is subject to removal pursuant to the provisions of Section 1-3-240" following "serve at his pleasure". 2025 Act No. 8, SECTION 4.A, at the beginning of the section, substituted "Department of Children's Advocacy may employ a Director of the Continuum of Care and" for "State Child Advocate may appoint a Director of the Continuum of Care to serve at his pleasure. The director shall employ".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-1-30 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 1 / Section 63-1-30
SECTION 63-1-30. Construction of title.
Status: in_force

This title shall be liberally construed to the end that families whose unity or well-being is threatened shall be assisted and protected, and restored if possible as secure units of law-abiding members; and that each child coming within the jurisdiction of the court shall receive, preferably in his own home, the care, guidance and control that will conduce to his welfare and the best interests of the State, and that when he is removed from the control of his parents the court shall secure for him care as nearly as possible equivalent to that which they should have given him.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-2740 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 21 / Section 63-17-2740
SECTION 63-17-2740. Levy upon property; refusal to surrender; discharge of obligation.
Status: in_force

(A) If an obligor against whom a lien has arisen and has been perfected under Section 63-17-2730 neglects or refuses to pay the sum due after the expiration of the thirty-day notice period specified in Section 63-17-2720, the division may collect the unpaid child support and levy upon all property as provided in this section. For the purposes of this section, "levy" includes the power of distraint and seizure by any means. A person in possession of property upon which a lien having priority under Section 63-17-2730 has been perfected, upon demand, shall surrender the property to the division as pursuant to this section. Financial institutions which hold assets of an obligor, after proper identification and notification by the division, shall encumber or surrender deposits, credits, or other personal property held by the institution on behalf of an obligor who is subject to a child support lien, pursuant to Section 63-17-2320. Financial institutions are allowed to either submit account information directly to the State where it is matched against the parent data base, or financial institutions may request a file and complete the comparison and submit it directly to the State. The social security number must be used for the matching process and not the full name of the person who maintains an account with that entity. A levy on property held by an organization with respect to a life insurance or endowment contract, without necessity for the surrender of the contract document, constitutes a demand by the division for payment of the amount of the lien and the exercise of the right of the obligor to the advance of the amount. The organization shall pay the amount ninety days after service of the notice of levy. The levy is considered satisfied if the organization pays over to the division the full amount which the obligor could have had advanced to him, if the amount does not exceed the amount of the lien. Whenever any property upon which levy has been made is not sufficient to satisfy the claim of the state for which levy is made, the division thereafter, as often as may be necessary, proceed to levy, without further notice, upon any other property of the obligor subject to levy upon first perfecting its lien as provided in Section 63-17-2730, until the amount due from the obligor and the expenses are fully paid. With respect to a seizure or levy of real property or tangible personal property, the sheriff shall proceed in the manner prescribed by Sections 15-39-610, et seq., insofar as these sections are not inconsistent with this article. The division has rights to property remaining after satisfying superior perfected liens, as provided in Section 63-17-2730. (B) Upon demand by the division, a person who fails or refuses to surrender property subject to levy pursuant to this section is liable in his own person and estate to the State in a sum equal to the value of the property not so surrendered but not exceeding the amount of the lien, and the costs at the rate established by Section 23-19-10. (C) A person in possession of, or obligated with respect to, property who, upon demand by the division, surrenders the property or discharges the obligations to the division or who pays a liability under this article, must be discharged from any obligation or liability to the obligor arising from the surrender or payment. A levy on an organization with respect to a life insurance or endowment contract which is satisfied pursuant to this article, discharges the organization from any obligation or liability to any beneficiary arising from the surrender or payment.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-810 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 7 / Section 63-19-810
SECTION 63-19-810. Taking a child into custody.
Status: in_force

(A) When a child found violating a criminal law or ordinance is taken into custody, the taking into custody is not an arrest. The jurisdiction of the court attaches from the time of the taking into custody. When a child is taken into custody, the officer taking the child into custody shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child as soon as possible. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the person taking the child into custody may release the child to a parent, a responsible adult, a responsible agent of a court-approved foster home, group home, nonsecure facility, or program upon the written promise, signed by the person, to bring the child to the court at a stated time or at a time the court may direct. The written promise, accompanied by a written report by the officer, must be submitted to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice as soon as possible, but not later than twenty-four hours after the child is taken into custody. If the person fails to produce the child as agreed, or upon notice from the court, a summons or a warrant may be issued for the apprehension of the person or of the child. (B) When a child is not released pursuant to subsection (A), the officer taking the child into custody shall immediately notify the authorized representative of the Department of Juvenile Justice, who shall respond within one hour by telephone or to the location where the child is being detained. Upon responding, the authorized representative of the department shall review the facts in the officer's report or petition and any other relevant facts and advise the officer if, in his opinion, there is a need for detention of the child. The officer's written report must be furnished to the authorized representatives of the department and must state: (1) the facts of the offense; (2) the reason why the child was not released to the parent. Unless the child is to be detained, the child must be released by the officer to the custody of his parents or other responsible adult upon their written promise to bring the child to the court at a stated time or at a time the court may direct. However, if the offense for which the child was taken into custody is a violent crime as defined in Section 16-1-60, the child may be released only by the officer who took the child into custody. If the officer does not consent to the release of the child, the parents or other responsible adult may apply to any judge of 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. The family court judge may establish conditions for such release. (C) When a child is charged by a law enforcement officer for an offense which would be a misdemeanor or felony if committed by an adult, not including a traffic or wildlife violation over which courts other than the family court have concurrent jurisdiction as provided in Section 63-3-520, the law enforcement officer also shall notify the principal of the school in which the child is enrolled, if any, of the nature of the offense. This information may be used by the principal for monitoring and supervisory purposes but otherwise must be kept confidential by the principal in the same manner required by Section 63-19-2220(E). (D) Juveniles may be held in nonsecure custody within the law enforcement center for only the time necessary for purposes of identification, investigation, detention, intake screening, awaiting release to parents or other responsible adult, or awaiting transfer to a juvenile detention facility or to the court for a detention hearing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1470 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 13 / Section 63-19-1470
SECTION 63-19-1470. Adult commitment.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an adult sentenced for more than ninety days under this chapter may serve the time in a minimum security state facility.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-450 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 63-17-450
SECTION 63-17-450. Information required in paternity and support actions.
Status: in_force

(A) An obligor and an obligee in a child support or paternity action, whether judicial or administrative, shall provide the following information to the tribunal: (1) residence address; (2) mailing address; (3) telephone number; (4) social security number or the alien identification number assigned to a resident alien who does not have a social security number; (5) driver's license number; and (6) name, address, and telephone number of employer. The parties shall notify the tribunal of any changes to the above-referenced information within ten days of the effective date of the change. In subsequent support actions between the obligor and the obligee or their assignees, upon sufficient showing that diligent effort has been made to ascertain the location of the party, delivery by first-class mail of written notice to the obligor and the obligee at the residential or employer address most recently filed with the tribunal constitutes service of process. (B) "Tribunal" is defined for purposes of this section as the family court or the Department of Social Services, Child Support Enforcement Division or its designee.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3970 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3970
SECTION 63-17-3970. Records in original language; English translation.
Status: in_force

A record filed with a tribunal of this State under this part must be in the original language and, if not in English, must be accompanied by an English translation. Part VIII Interstate Rendition DERIVATION TABLE Showing the sections in former Chapter 7, Title 20 from which the sections in this part were derived.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-340 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 63-17-340
SECTION 63-17-340. Persons who may petition for support.
Status: in_force

Any interested persons may file a petition to the court requesting the court to order persons legally chargeable to provide support as required by law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-2250 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 22 / Section 63-11-2250
SECTION 63-11-2250. Confidentiality.
Status: in_force

Any and all information and records acquired by the Department of Children's Advocacy in the exercise of the office's purpose and duties under this chapter shall be confidential and exempt from public disclosure under Chapter 4, Title 30. Editor's Note 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."
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-1730 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-1730
SECTION 63-7-1730. Qualified residential treatment program placement; assessment; case planning; documentation requirements.
Status: in_force

(A) A child in the department's custody who is placed in a qualified residential treatment program is subject to assessment, case planning, and documentation requirements as outlined in this section. (B) Within thirty days of the start of each placement in a qualified residential treatment program, a qualified individual shall: (1) assess the strengths and needs of the child using an age-appropriate, evidence-based, validated, functional assessment tool approved by the department; (2) determine whether the needs of the child can be met with family members or through placement in a foster family home or, if not, which placement setting would provide the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment and would be consistent with the short- and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan for the child; and (3) develop a list of child-specific short- and long-term mental and behavioral health goals. (C) The department shall assemble a child and family team for the child. The qualified individual conducting the assessment required pursuant to this section shall work in conjunction with the child and family team while conducting and making the assessment. (D) The child and family team shall consist of all appropriate biological family members, relatives, and fictive kin of the child, as well as, appropriate professionals who are a resource to the family of the child, such as teachers, medical or mental health providers who have treated the child, or clergy. In the case of a child who has attained age fourteen, the child and family team shall include the members of the permanency team selected by the child. (E) The department shall document in the child's case plan: (1) the reasonable and good faith efforts of the department to identify and include all the individuals described in subsection (D) on the child and family team; (2) all contact information for members of the child and family team, as well as contact information for other family members and fictive kin who are not part of the child and family team; (3) evidence that meetings of the child and family team, including meetings relating to the assessment required pursuant to subsection (B), are held at a time and place convenient for family; (4) if reunification is the goal, evidence demonstrating that the parent from whom the child was removed provided input on the members of the child and family team; (5) evidence that the assessment required pursuant to subsection (B) is determined in conjunction with the child and family team; (6) the placement preferences of the child and family team relative to the assessment that recognizes children should be placed with their siblings unless there is a finding by the court that such placement is contrary to their best interest; and (7) if the placement preferences of the child and family team and child are not the placement setting recommended by the qualified individual conducting the assessment pursuant to subsection (B), the reasons why the preferences of the team and of the child were not recommended. (F) In the case of a child who the qualified individual conducting the assessment pursuant to subsection (B) determines should not be placed in a foster family home, the qualified individual shall specify in writing the reasons why the needs of the child cannot be met by the family of the child or in a foster family home. A shortage or lack of foster family homes is not an acceptable reason for determining that the needs of the child cannot be met in a foster family home. The qualified individual also shall specify in writing why the recommended placement in a qualified residential treatment program is the setting that will provide the child with the most effective and appropriate level of care in the least restrictive environment and how that placement is consistent with the short- and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan for the child.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1050 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 7 / Section 63-17-1050
SECTION 63-17-1050. Licensing entities to provide information.
Status: in_force

In the manner and form prescribed by the division, all licensing entities monthly shall provide the division information on licensees for use in the establishment, enforcement, and collection of child support obligations including, but not limited to: (1) name; (2) address of record; (3) social security number; (4) employer's name and address; (5) type of license; (6) effective date of license or renewal; (7) expiration date of license; (8) active or inactive license status.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-705 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 6 / Section 63-5-705
SECTION 63-5-705. Applicability.
Status: in_force

This article applies to a transfer within the scope of Section 63-5-610 made after its effective date if: (1) the transfer purports to have been made under the South Carolina Uniform Gifts to Minors Act; or (2) the instrument by which the transfer purports to have been made uses in substance the designation "as custodian under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act" or "as custodian under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act" of any other state, and the application of this article is necessary to validate the transfer.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-2130 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 15 / Section 63-17-2130
SECTION 63-17-2130. Notice of order to employer.
Status: in_force

(A) If a parent is required by a court order to provide health coverage for a child and the parent is eligible for family health coverage through an employer in this State, notice and a copy of the order must be sent to the employer. The notice and copy of the order may be sent by first class mail. The notice must explain all of the employer's legal obligations under this article. In cases enforced by the Child Support Enforcement Division of the Department of Social Services, the division shall use the National Medical Support Notice promulgated by the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. Upon receipt of notice and the order, the employer shall: (1) permit the parent to enroll, under the family coverage, a child who is otherwise eligible for the coverage without regard to any enrollment season restrictions; (2) if the parent is enrolled but fails to make application to obtain coverage for the child, enroll the child under family coverage upon application of: (a) the child's other parent; (b) the state agency administering the Medicaid program; or (c) the state agency administering 42 U.S.C. Sections 651 to 669, the child support enforcement program; and (3) continue coverage of the child unless the employer: (a) is provided satisfactory written evidence that the court order is no longer in effect or that the child is or will be enrolled in comparable health coverage through another insurer which will take effect not later than the effective date of disenrollment; or (b) has eliminated family health coverage for all of its employees. (B) An employer who has received a copy of a court order pursuant to this section is bound by the order until further notice by the court. The employer shall notify the court within twenty days after the parent named in the order is no longer employed and shall provide the parent's last known address and the name and address of the parent's new employer, if known.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-715 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 6 / Section 63-5-715
SECTION 63-5-715. Uniformity of application and construction.
Status: in_force

This article shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this article among states enacting it.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1850 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 13 / Section 63-17-1850
SECTION 63-17-1850. Notice of delinquency.
Status: in_force

(A) On the date a support order is entered pursuant to Section 63-17-1840, the clerk of court shall serve upon the obligor, in accordance with Section 63-17-1440, a verified notice of delinquency. The notice shall also advise the obligor that the income withholding was requested on the basis of a support order of another jurisdiction. (B) If the obligor seeks a hearing to contest the proposed income withholding the clerk of court shall immediately notify the requesting agency and the Department of Social Services when the request for withholding was from an agency, the obligee, obligor, or an attorney for either of the date, time, and place of the hearing and of the obligee's right to attend the hearing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-250 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 2 / Section 63-15-250
SECTION 63-15-250. Telephonic and electronic communication between minor child and parents.
Status: in_force

In addition to all rights and duties given to parents pursuant to Section 63-5-30: (A) when a court orders sole custody to one parent, the custodial parent, except in cases of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, should facilitate opportunities for reasonable telephonic and electronic communication between the minor child and the noncustodial parent, as appropriate, as provided for by court order if the court determines that this type of communication is in the best interest of the child; and (B) when a court orders joint custody to both parents, each parent should facilitate opportunities for reasonable telephonic and electronic communication between the minor child and the other parent, as appropriate, as provided for by court order if the court determines that this type of communication is in the best interest of the child.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-330 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 63-3-330
SECTION 63-3-330. Assignment of cases.
Status: in_force

If two or more family court judges are presiding in the same county at the same time, the chief family court judge shall make assignments of the cases in such county to those judges.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-2730 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 8 / Section 63-7-2730
SECTION 63-7-2730. Voluntary extension of foster care; jurisdiction; transition plan.
Status: in_force

(A) Before a child's eighteenth birthday, the child may provide written authorization to remain under the placement and care responsibility of the department after the child attains age eighteen and the court may conclude that it is in the child's best interests to remain under the placement and care responsibility of the department after the child's eighteenth birthday. In such cases, the court's jurisdiction shall continue until the court issues an order terminating its jurisdiction. In no case may the court's jurisdiction pursuant to this article continue beyond the child's twenty-first birthday. (B) Subject to eligibility criteria established by the department, after attaining age eighteen, a child may enter into a voluntary placement agreement with the department to remain under or return to the placement and care responsibility of the department. The department must develop a transition plan for a child who remains in or returns to the placement and care responsibility of the department. (C) A voluntary placement agreement terminates within one hundred eighty days after it is executed, unless the court determines that it is in the child's best interests to remain under the placement and care responsibility of the department. 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. § 63-17-3930 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3930
SECTION 63-17-3930. Direct request.
Status: in_force

(A) A petitioner may file a direct request seeking establishment or modification of a support order or determination of parentage of a child. In the proceeding, the law of this State applies. (B) A petitioner may file a direct request seeking recognition and enforcement of a support order or support agreement. In the proceeding, Sections 63-17-3935 through 63-17-3970 apply. (C) In a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a convention support order or foreign support agreement: (1) a security, bond, or deposit is not required to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses; and (2) an obligee or obligor that in the issuing country has benefited from free legal assistance is entitled to benefit, at least to the same extent, from any free legal assistance provided for by the law of this State under the same circumstances. (D) A petitioner filing a direct request is not entitled to assistance from the Department of Social Services. (E) This part does not prevent the application of laws of this State that provide simplified, more expeditious rules regarding a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order or foreign support agreement.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-640 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 5 / Section 63-19-640
SECTION 63-19-640. Compensation.
Status: in_force

The members of the parole board must be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in attending parole board meetings and shall receive as compensation the same per diem as provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-548 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-548
SECTION 63-15-548. Visitation before termination of temporary grant of custodial responsibility.
Status: in_force

Following return from deployment of a deploying parent until a temporary agreement or order for custodial responsibility established pursuant to Subarticle 2 or 3 is terminated, the court shall enter a temporary order granting the deploying parent reasonable contact with the child unless it is contrary to the best interest of the child, even if the time exceeds the time the deploying parent spent with the child before deployment.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-310 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 63-11-310
SECTION 63-11-310. Children's advocacy centers.
Status: in_force

(A) "Children's Advocacy Centers" mean centers which must coordinate a multi-agency response to child maltreatment and assist in the investigation and assessment of child abuse. These centers must provide: (1) a neutral, child-friendly facility for forensic interviews; (2) the coordination of services for children reported to have been abused; (3) services including, but not limited to, forensic interviews, forensic medical examinations, and case reviews by multidisciplinary teams to best determine whether maltreatment has occurred; and (4) therapeutic counseling services, support services for the child and nonoffending family members, court advocacy, consultation, and training for professionals who work in the area of child abuse and neglect, to reduce negative impact to the child and break the cycle of abuse. (B)(1) Children's Advocacy Centers must establish memoranda of agreement with governmental entities charged with the investigation and prosecution of child abuse. Children's Advocacy Centers must be fully accredited by the National Children's Alliance or must be an associate/developing or affiliate member of the South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers and be actively pursuing full accreditation with the National Children's Alliance within the next two years. (2) Children's Advocacy Centers must establish written policies and procedures for standards of care including, but not limited to, the timely intervention of services between initial contact with the child and the event which led to the child's being referred to the center. Children's Advocacy Centers must make available these written policies and procedures to all professionals who provide services relating to the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse and neglect within the geographical vicinity of the center. (3) Children's Advocacy Center records must be released to the Department of Social Services for purposes of investigation, assessment of allegations of child abuse or neglect, and provision of treatment services to the children or their families. The records must be released to law enforcement agencies and circuit solicitors or their agents who are: (a) investigating or prosecuting known or suspected abuse or neglect of a child; (b) investigating or prosecuting the death of a child; (c) investigating or prosecuting any crime against a child; or (d) attempting to locate a missing child. This provision does not preclude or override the release of information based upon a subpoena or court order, unless otherwise prohibited by law. (C) The South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers must coordinate and facilitate the exchange of information among statewide centers and provide technical assistance to communities in the establishment, growth, and certification of local centers. The network must also educate the public and legislature regarding the needs of abused children and provide or coordinate multidisciplinary training opportunities which support the comprehensive response to suspected child maltreatment. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 28, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act must be known and may be cited as the 'South Carolina Child Abuse Response Protocol Act'." Effect of Amendment 2021 Act No. 28, SECTION 3, rewrote (B)(1); in (C), in the first sentence, deleted "and the South Carolina Chapter of the National Children's Alliance" following "The South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers"; and deleted (D), which provided that nothing in this section required the exclusive use of a Children's Advocacy Center.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-430 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 4 / Section 63-11-430
SECTION 63-11-430. Program requirements.
Status: in_force

(A) The program coordinates and administers child abuse medical service resources for the State, assisting and collaborating with children's advocacy centers and state agencies charged with the investigation, assessment, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse or neglect for children in the State. (B) The program shall develop, support, and maintain a consistent quality standard of care and practice for the following services intrinsic to the assessment of children with suspected abuse or neglect: (1) forensic medical examinations, assessments, and diagnoses; (2) medical consultations; (3) participation in multidisciplinary team case conferences and reviews; and (4) medical expert witness services. (C) The program also shall develop, support, and maintain: (1) guidelines for the educational, clinical training, and professional development requirements of health care providers participating in the forensic medical assessment of children who are suspected victims of child abuse or neglect; (2) a standardized clinical assessment tool to report the findings of the forensic medical assessment; and (3) guidelines for the South Carolina Department of Social Services and law enforcement agencies on when to obtain a forensic medical assessment. (D) The program shall collect and manage data from child abuse health care providers participating in the program, children's advocacy centers, and children's hospitals for the purposes of establishing quality assurance programs, research, and public policy guidance.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-540 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-540
SECTION 63-15-540. Order for child support.
Status: in_force

If a court has issued an order providing for grant of caretaking authority pursuant to this subarticle or an agreement granting caretaking authority has been executed pursuant to Subarticle 2, the court may enter a temporary order for child support consistent with the law of this State, other than this article, if the court has jurisdiction under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-2860 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 9 / Section 63-7-2860
SECTION 63-7-2860. Review of adverse decisions.
Status: in_force

A decision regarding supplemental legal guardianship benefits by the department that is adverse to the relative, fictive kin, or legal guardian is reviewable according to the department's fair hearing regulations, unless there is an action pending in family court that can dispose of the issue.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-330 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 63-5-330
SECTION 63-5-330. Married minors consent to health procedures.
Status: in_force

The consent of a married minor or, if a married minor be unable to give consent by reason of physical disability, then the consent of the spouse of the married minor to the performance by any licensed medical, surgical or dental practitioners, or any hospital, or their agents or employees, of any lawful diagnostic, therapeutic surgical or postmortem procedure upon or in respect to such minor or any minor child of such minor, shall, notwithstanding the minority of such minor, be valid and legally effective for all purposes and shall be binding upon such minor, his parents, spouse, heirs, executors and administrators as effectively as if such minor or the spouse of such minor were eighteen years of age.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-514 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 63-15-514
SECTION 63-15-514. Form of agreement.
Status: in_force

(A) The parents of a child may enter into a temporary agreement granting custodial responsibility during deployment. (B) An agreement under subsection (A) must be: (1) in writing; and (2) signed by both parents and any nonparent to whom custodial responsibility is granted. (C) An agreement under subsection (A), if feasible, must: (1) identify to the extent feasible the destination, duration, and conditions of the deployment that is the basis for the agreement; (2) specify the allocation of caretaking authority among the deploying parent, the other parent, and any nonparent, if applicable; (3) specify a decision-making authority that accompanies a grant of caretaking authority; (4) specify any grant of limited contact to a nonparent; (5) if the agreement shares custodial responsibility between the other parent and a nonparent or between two nonparents, provide a process to resolve any dispute that may arise; (6) specify the frequency, duration, and means, including electronic means, by which the deploying parent will have contact with the child; any role to be played by the other parent in facilitating the contact; and allocation of any costs of communications; (7) specify the contact between the deploying parent and child during the time the deploying parent is on leave or is otherwise available; (8) acknowledge that any party's existing child-support obligation cannot be modified by the agreement and that changing the terms of the obligation during deployment requires modification in the appropriate court; (9) provide that the agreement terminates following the deploying parent's return from deployment according to the procedures in Subarticle 4; and (10) if the agreement must be filed pursuant to Section 63-15-522, specify which parent shall file the agreement. (D) The omission of an item in subsection (C) does not invalidate an agreement entered into pursuant to this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2220 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 21 / Section 63-19-2220
SECTION 63-19-2220. Interstate Compact for Juveniles.
Status: in_force

The State of South Carolina hereby contracts to enter into the "Interstate Compact for Juveniles" according to the terms and in the form substantially as follows:
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-2120 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 15 / Section 63-17-2120
SECTION 63-17-2120. Duties of employer or health insurer.
Status: in_force

If a court order requiring a parent to provide health coverage to a child is received by an employer or a health insurer, including a group health plan as defined in Section 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or health maintenance organization as defined in Section 38-33-20: (1) the employer or health insurer promptly shall notify the parent and each child of the receipt of the order and the employer's or insurer's procedures for determining whether the order is covered by this article; (2) within a reasonable period after receipt of the order, the employer or insurer shall determine whether the order is covered by this article and notify the parent and each child of the determination; (3) shall establish reasonable procedures to determine whether the order is covered by this article and to administer the provision of benefits under qualified orders. The procedures must: (a) be in writing; (b) provide for the notification of each person specified in the order as eligible to receive benefits, at the address included in the order, of these procedures promptly upon receipt by the employer or insurer of the order; and (c) permit the court or the child's legal guardian to designate a representative for receipt of copies of notices that are sent with respect to a medical child support order.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-720 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-720
SECTION 63-7-720. Reasonable efforts to prevent removal.
Status: in_force

(A) An order issued as a result of the probable cause hearing held pursuant to Section 63-7-710 concerning a child of whom the department has assumed legal custody shall contain a finding by the court of whether reasonable efforts were made by the department to prevent removal of the child and a finding of whether continuation of the child in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child. The order shall state: (1) the services made available to the family before the department assumed legal custody of the child and how they related to the needs of the family; (2) the efforts of the department to provide services to the family before assuming legal custody of the child; (3) why the efforts to provide services did not eliminate the need for the department to assume legal custody; (4) whether a meeting was convened as provided in Section 63-7-640, the persons present, and the outcome of the meeting or, if no meeting was held, the reason for not holding a meeting; (5) what efforts were made to place the child with a relative known to the child or in another familiar environment; (6) whether the efforts to eliminate the need for the department to assume legal custody were reasonable including, but not limited to, whether services were reasonably available and timely, reasonably adequate to address the needs of the family, reasonably adequate to protect the child and realistic under the circumstances, and whether efforts to place the child in a familiar environment were reasonable. (B) Reasonable efforts required pursuant to subsection (A) to prevent removal of the child from a parent or legal guardian who 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. (C) If the court finds that reasonable services would not have allowed the child to remain safely in the home, the court shall find that removal of the child without services or without further services was reasonable. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 36, SECTION 3, inserted (B), relating to reasonable efforts requirements for probable cause hearings and requiring certain efforts if a parent or legal guardian has a disability, and redesignated accordingly.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-60 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 63-5-60
SECTION 63-5-60. Parental civil liability for damage to State property.
Status: in_force

(A) The State of South Carolina, a political subdivision of the State including, but not limited to, a school district, or any other person including, but not limited to, an individual, a religious organization, a corporation, a partnership, or other entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated, is entitled to recover damages in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars in a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction from the parents or legal guardian of the person of a minor under the age of eighteen years and residing with the parents or the legal guardian of the person who maliciously or wilfully causes personal injury to the individual or destroys, damages, or steals property, real, personal, or mixed, belonging to the State of South Carolina, the political subdivision of the State including, but not limited to, a school district, or other person including, but not limited to, an individual, religious organization, corporation, partnership, or other entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated. (B) Recovery under this section is limited to actual damages. (C) Nothing in this section limits the application of the family purpose doctrine. (D) The liability of parents or legal guardians under subsection (A) is joint and several with the minor for the injury or the destruction, damage, or theft, as the case may be, as long as the minor would have been liable for the injury or the destruction, damage, or theft if the minor had been an adult. Nothing in this section may be construed to relieve the minor from personal liability for the injury or the destruction, damage, or theft. The liability in this section is in addition to and not in lieu of other liability which may exist by law. (E) This section does not apply to persons having custody or charge of a minor under the authority of a state agency or a county social services department or to state agencies or county departments of social services which have legal custody or charge of a minor.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-344 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-344
SECTION 63-15-344. Unjustifiable jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as otherwise provided in Section 63-15-336 or by other law of this State, if a court of this State has jurisdiction under this article because a person seeking to invoke its jurisdiction has engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to exercise its jurisdiction unless: (1) the parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced in the exercise of jurisdiction; (2) a court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334 determines that this State is a more appropriate forum under Section 63-15-342; or (3) no court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334. (B) If a court of this State declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (A), it may fashion an appropriate remedy to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child custody proceeding is commenced in a court having jurisdiction under Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334. (C) If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because it declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (A), it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction necessary and reasonable expenses including costs, communication expenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and childcare during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees are sought establishes that the assessment would be clearly inappropriate. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against this State unless authorized by law other than this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1480 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 11 / Section 63-17-1480
SECTION 63-17-1480. Change of address notification.
Status: in_force

An obligee who is receiving income withholding payments under this article shall notify the clerk of court of any change of address within seven days of the change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3630 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3630
SECTION 63-17-3630. Filing order.
Status: in_force

(A) A support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order is registered when the order is filed in the registering tribunal of this State. (B) A registered support order issued in another state or a foreign country is enforceable in the same manner and is subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal of this State. (C) Except as otherwise provided in this part, a tribunal of this State shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, a registered order if the issuing tribunal had jurisdiction. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (A), inserted "or a foreign support order"; and in (B), inserted "support" before "order", and inserted "or a foreign country".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-440 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 63-19-440
SECTION 63-19-440. Goldsmith Center.
Status: in_force

The department's reception and evaluation center located in Columbia is designated "The William J. Goldsmith Reception and Evaluation Center".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-610 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 4 / Section 63-17-610
SECTION 63-17-610. Federal mandate for and implementation of State Disbursement Unit.
Status: in_force

(A) The federal government mandates that every state must have a centralized statewide disbursement unit which collects and disburses child support payments. The federal requirement will result in substantial changes in how spousal and child support payments are collected and disbursed in this State. The required technical solution cannot practically be deployed in every county at the same time and, as a result, the amendments to Sections 63-17-1430, 63-17-1460, 63-17-1580, 63-17-1890, and 63-17-1910 will take effect on a county-by-county basis. The General Assembly finds that the amendments are necessary to comply with the federal requirements. (B) To implement procedures that will accompany deployment of the statewide disbursement unit, the Department of Social Services and the clerks of court shall provide notice to payors as required in subsection (C) below. The Department of Social Services and the clerks of court shall provide general notice to the public showing the date each county will implement the State Disbursement Unit by posting the notice required in subsection (C) on their web sites. This posting constitutes notice of the effective date of the amendments to Sections 63-17-1430, 63-17-1460, 63-17-1580- 63-17-1890, and 63-17-1910. (C) Upon full deployment of the federally mandated single statewide system for child support, the Department of Social Services is authorized to transition to a State Disbursement Unit that will include all child and spousal support, as provided in this act. The department and the clerks of court shall cooperate fully in developing and implementing a transition plan that meets federal requirements and avoids federal financial penalties. The department shall provide notice to each affected support payor directing the payor to make all future payments, beginning thirty days after the department's notices to the payor, to the State Disbursement Unit. (D) The amendments to Sections 63-17-1430, 63-17-1460, 63-17-1580, 63-17-1890, and 63-17-1910 concerning direct payments to the State Disbursement Unit are effective as to all payors receiving the notice specified in this section thirty days after the date of the notice, and effective as to all new cases filed in the county after that date. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, this section was redesignated from SECTION 63-17-530 and placed under Article 4, State Disbursement Unit.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-350 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 63-5-350
SECTION 63-5-350. Health services to minors without parental consent.
Status: in_force

Health services of any kind may be rendered to minors of any age without the consent of a parent or legal guardian when, in the judgment of a person authorized by law to render a particular health service, such services are deemed necessary unless such involves an operation which shall be performed only if such is essential to the health or life of such child in the opinion of the performing physician and a consultant physician if one is available.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1670 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 15 / Section 63-19-1670
SECTION 63-19-1670. Contraband.
Status: in_force

(A) While on the institutional grounds of the department, it is unlawful to furnish, attempt to furnish, or to possess with the intent to furnish, contraband to a juvenile committed to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. "Juvenile", for purposes of this section, is defined as a person committed to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. It is unlawful for a juvenile committed to the custody of the department to possess contraband. (B) For purposes of this section, "contraband" is defined as: (1) a device which may be used as a weapon including, but not limited to, firearms, knives, blades, clubs, or billies; (2) drugs of any type or description including, but not limited to, marijuana, cocaine, and any other controlled substance as listed in Chapter 53 of Title 44, for which a juvenile does not possess a current lawful prescription; (3) poisons or other dangerous chemicals which can cause injury or death; (4) flammable liquids of any type including, but not limited to, gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid; (5) any type of alcohol and any liquid containing any concentration of intoxicating alcohol; (6) keys, locks, or tools of any description not officially issued to the juvenile by the department; or (7) any additional items determined to be contraband by the Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice. (C) If the director determines any additional items to be contraband, a list of these items must be published and posted in conspicuous places so as to be seen readily by a person entering the institutional grounds or on the institutional grounds of the Department of Juvenile Justice. (D) An adult found violating this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than ten years, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-120 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 63-13-120
SECTION 63-13-120. Training on domestic violence.
Status: in_force

The Department of Social Services in conjunction with existing training regulations shall make available to childcare owners and operators staff training on domestic violence including, but not limited to: (1) the nature, extent, and causes of domestic and family violence; (2) issues of domestic and family violence concerning children; (3) prevention of the use of violence by children; (4) sensitivity to gender bias and cultural, racial, and sexual issues; (5) the lethality of domestic and family violence; (6) legal issues relating to domestic violence and child custody.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-510 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 63-17-510
SECTION 63-17-510. Authority to revoke probation.
Status: in_force

The court may at any time where circumstances warrant it, after a hearing, revoke the probation of a respondent.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-332 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-332
SECTION 63-15-332. Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as otherwise provided in Section 63-15-336, a court of this State which has made a child custody determination consistent with Section 63-15-330 or 63-15-334 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until: (1) a court of this State determines that neither the child, the child's parents, and any person acting as a parent do not have a significant connection with this State and that substantial evidence is no longer available in this State concerning the child's care, protection, training, and personal relationships; or (2) a court of this State or a court of another state determines that the child, the child's parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in this State. (B) A court of this State which has made a child custody determination and does not have exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under this section may modify that determination only if it has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under Section 63-15-330.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-650 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-650
SECTION 63-7-650. Risk assessment before placement; opportunity to be licensed as kinship foster parent.
Status: in_force

(A) Before agreeing to or acquiescing in a corrective action that involves placement of the child with a relative or other person or making an interim placement with a relative while retaining custody of the child or as soon as possible after agreeing to or acquiescing in a corrective action, the department shall secure from the relative or other person and other adults in the home an affidavit attesting to information necessary to determine whether a criminal history or history of child abuse or neglect exists and whether this history indicates there is a significant risk that the child would be threatened with abuse or neglect in the home of the relative or other person. As soon as possible, the department shall confirm the information supplied in the affidavit by checking the Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect, other relevant department records, county sex offender registries, and records for the preceding five years of law enforcement agencies in the jurisdiction in which the relative or other person resides and, to the extent reasonably possible, jurisdictions in which the relative or other person has resided during that period. The department must not agree to or acquiesce in a placement if the affidavit or these records reveal information indicating there is a significant risk that the child would be threatened with abuse or neglect in the home of the relative or other person. The relative or other person must consent to a check of the above records by the department. (B) Before making an interim placement of a child with a relative pursuant to this section, the department shall inform the relative about the opportunity to become licensed as a foster parent if the department later determines it is not safe for the child to be returned to the home and the department initiates a removal action pursuant to Section 63-7-1660. The department shall provide the relative general information about the kinship foster parent licensing process and the benefits of licensure, including eligibility for financial assistance and supportive services, and the risk that the relative may be ineligible for that assistance and services if the relative is not licensed as a foster parent. Effect of Amendment 2018 Act No. 146, SECTION 2, inserted the (A) designator, and added (B), requiring the department to explain to a relative about the opportunity to become licensed as a kinship foster parent before making an interim placement of a child.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-1530 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 15 / Section 63-11-1530
SECTION 63-11-1530. Services Fund.
Status: in_force

There is established the Services Fund for Emotionally Disturbed Children. The Interagency System for Caring for Emotionally Disturbed Children, as provided for in Section 63-11-1510, must be paid for solely by the fund and money in the fund must be used only to support the system. The fund must be administered by the Department of Social Services. The Department of Education shall continue to be billed a share of costs for covered children in the system as provided for under the Children's Case Resolution System. The Department of Social Services, in conjunction with other agencies participating in the system, shall develop billing and management protocols that maximize the use of the funds available.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-30 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 63-11-30
SECTION 63-11-30. Department of Social Services to administer article.
Status: in_force

The department shall administer the provisions of this article and shall make and promulgate such rules and regulations relating to licensing standards and other matters as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3010 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3010
SECTION 63-17-3010. Personal jurisdiction of nonresident.
Status: in_force

(A) In a proceeding to establish or enforce a support order or to determine parentage of a child, a tribunal of this State may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual or the individual's guardian or conservator if: (1) the individual is personally served with notice and a summons within this State; (2) the individual submits to the jurisdiction of this State by consent, by entering a general appearance, or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest to personal jurisdiction; (3) the individual resided with the child in this State; (4) the individual resided in this State and provided prenatal expenses or support for the child; (5) the child resides in this State as a result of the acts or directives of the individual; (6) the individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this State and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse; (7) the individual asserted parentage of a child in the putative father registry maintained in this State by the Department of Social Services; or (8) there is any other basis consistent with the constitutions of this State and the United States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction. (B) The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in subsection (A) or in any other law of this State may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of this State to modify a child-support order of another state unless the requirements of Section 63-17-3830 or 63-17-3870 are met, or in the case of a foreign support order, unless the requirements of Section 63-17-3870 are met. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (A) and (A)(7), inserted "of a child"; in (A)(7), inserted "by the Department of Social Services"; in (B), substituted "tribunal of this State" for "tribunal of the State", substituted "child-support order" for "child support order", and added "or in the case of a foreign support order, unless the requirements of Section 63-17-3870 are met".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1430 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 11 / Section 63-17-1430
SECTION 63-17-1430. Petitioning the court.
Status: in_force

(A) An obligor may petition the court at any time prior to the occurrence of a delinquency seeking an order for income withholding procedures to begin immediately. (B) Where the obligor makes payments directly to the obligee pursuant to an order for support and where income withholding procedures take effect, the provisions to pay directly are superseded by the withholding process and the obligor and the payor on behalf of the obligor during the period of withholding must pay this support through the State Disbursement Unit. 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. § 63-17-3925 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3925
SECTION 63-17-3925. Support proceeding.
Status: in_force

(A) In a support proceeding under this part, the Department of Social Services of this State shall: (1) transmit and receive applications; and (2) initiate or facilitate the institution of a proceeding regarding an application in a tribunal of this State. (B) The following support proceedings are available to an obligee under the convention: (1) recognition or recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order; (2) enforcement of a support order issued or recognized in this State; (3) establishment of a support order if there is no existing order, including, if necessary, determination of parentage of a child; (4) establishment of a support order if recognition of a foreign support order is refused under Section 63-17-3945(B)(2), (4), or (9); (5) modification of a support order of a tribunal of this State; and (6) modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country. (C) The following support proceedings are available under the convention to an obligor against which there is an existing support order: (1) recognition of an order suspending or limiting enforcement of an existing support order of a tribunal of this State; (2) modification of a support order of a tribunal of this State; and (3) modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country. (D) A tribunal of this State may not require security, bond, or deposit, however described, to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses in proceedings under the convention.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-1900 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 19 / Section 63-11-1900
SECTION 63-11-1900. Policy.
Status: in_force

It is the policy of this State that: (1) every child is entitled to live in safety and in health and to survive into adulthood; (2) responding to child deaths is a state and a community responsibility; (3) when a child dies, the response by the State and the community to the death must include an accurate and complete determination of the cause of death, the provision of services to surviving family members, and the development and implementation of measures to prevent future deaths from similar causes and may include court action, including prosecution of persons who may be responsible for the death and family court proceedings to protect other children in the care of the responsible person; (4) professionals from disparate disciplines and agencies who have responsibilities for children and expertise that can promote child safety and well-being should share their expertise and knowledge toward the goals of determining the causes of children's deaths, planning and providing services to surviving children and nonoffending family members, and preventing future child deaths; (5) a greater understanding of the incidence and causes of child deaths is necessary if the State is to prevent future child deaths; (6) multi-disciplinary and multi-agency reviews of child deaths can assist the State in the investigation of child deaths, in the development of a greater understanding of the incidence and causes of child deaths and the methods for preventing such deaths, and in identifying gaps in services to children and families; (7) access to information regarding deceased children and their families by the Department of Child Fatalities is necessary to achieve the department's purposes and duties; and (8) competent investigative services must be sensitive to the needs of South Carolina's children and their families and not unnecessarily intrusive and should be achieved through training, awareness, and technical assistance.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-1220 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-1220
SECTION 63-7-1220. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigation of Department of Juvenile Justice and Department of Social Services institutional abuse cases.
Status: in_force

The State Law Enforcement Division is authorized to receive and investigate reports of institutional abuse and neglect alleged to have occurred in any institution or foster home operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice and any institution or childcare facility operated by the Department of Social Services. The State Law Enforcement Division may promulgate regulations consistent with this authority to investigate these reports and take remedial action, if necessary.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-1360 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 3 / Section 63-9-1360
SECTION 63-9-1360. Birth parent informational brochure; waiting period.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Social Services, before it may accept as a client a parent or parents, or prospective parent or parents who wish to relinquish their child for adoption, must first provide them with an informational brochure which outlines the services available from and the procedure used to select adoptive parents by the department and by the licensed private adoption agencies in this State. It must also contain a listing of the licensed private adoption agencies in this State. The information contained in the brochure relating to the private adoption agencies must be jointly authored by the private adoption agencies and furnished to the department. (B) The department may not accept in subsection (A) persons as clients until a period of forty-eight hours has elapsed from the time they are furnished this brochure, and the department upon accepting these persons as clients must have them sign an affirmative statement that they have received this brochure and this statement must be kept in the adoption file maintained by the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-180 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 63-13-180
SECTION 63-13-180. Regulations and suggested standards.
Status: in_force

(A) The department shall with the advice and consent of the Advisory Committee develop and promulgate regulations depending upon the nature of services to be provided for the operation and maintenance of childcare centers and group childcare homes. The department with the advice of the Advisory Committee shall develop suggested standards which shall serve as guidelines for the operators of family childcare homes and the parents of children who use the service. In developing these regulations and suggested standards, the department shall consult with: (1) Other state agencies, including the State Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Office of the Attorney General. (2) Parents, guardians, or custodians of children using the service. (3) Child advocacy groups. (4) The State Advisory Committee on the Regulation of Childcare Facilities established by this chapter. (5) Operators of childcare facilities from all sectors. (6) Professionals in fields relevant to childcare and development. (7) Employers of parents, guardians, or custodians of children using the service. Draft formulations must be widely circulated for criticism and comment. (B) The regulations for operating and maintaining childcare centers and group childcare homes and the suggested standards for family childcare homes must be designed to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the children who are to be served by assuring safe and adequate physical surroundings and healthful food; by assuring supervision and care of the children by capable, qualified personnel of sufficient number. The regulations with respect to licensing and approval, and the suggested standards with respect to registration of family childcare homes must be designed to promote the proper and efficient processing of matters within the cognizance of the department and to assure applicants, licensees, approved operators, and registrants fair and expeditious treatment under the law. (C) The department shall conduct a comprehensive review of its licensing and approval regulations and family childcare home suggested standards at least once each three years. (D) No regulations for childcare facilities may exceed policies or minimum standards set for public childcare facilities regulated under this chapter. (E) The department shall submit final drafts of its regulations to the Legislative Council as proposed regulations, and the Administrative Procedures Act Sections 1-23-10 et seq., governs their promulgation. (F) The department shall establish a procedure for its representatives to follow in receiving and recording complaints. Standard forms may be produced and made available to parents and users of facilities upon request to the department. A copy of any complaint must be made available to the involved operator immediately upon his request.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-1720 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-1720
SECTION 63-7-1720. Clerk of court and court administration progress reports.
Status: in_force

(A) Beginning on January 1, 2000, or on the date of compliance with subsection (D), whichever is later, and on the first day of each month thereafter, each county clerk of court must make a report to Court Administration concerning each child protection case pending in family court in which a permanency planning order has not been filed. The report must include the case caption, the filing date, and, if applicable, the date of the permanency planning hearing and the permanency planning order. The clerk is not required to make a report concerning a case after a permanency planning order has been filed in the case. (B) Court Administration must provide the administrative judge of the family court of each circuit with the information reported concerning cases pending in the circuit. (C) On August fifteenth of each year, the Director of Court Administration must file with the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, with copies to the Department of Social Services and the Governor, a written report summarizing the information reported by the clerks of court pursuant to this section. The report shall contain, at a minimum, the following information summarized by county, by circuit, and by state: (1) the number of new cases brought by the department during the preceding twelve months; and (2) the number of cases filed more than twelve months in which a permanency planning order has not been filed. The annual report must contain an analysis of the progress of these cases through the family court, identify impediments to complying with statutory mandates, and make recommendations for improving compliance. (D) No later than January 1, 2000, Court Administration must institute the use of a separate code to identify child protection cases in its data systems. However, if the Chief Justice, upon recommendation of Court Administration, determines that there is a compelling reason why it is not feasible to institute the use of a separate code by January 1, 2000, compliance with this subsection may be deferred for up to twelve months, as necessary, for making adjustments in the data systems. The date of compliance and the compelling reason for any delay beyond January 1, 2000, shall be included in the report required by subsection (E). (E) Court Administration shall conduct a study of the feasibility of collecting additional data necessary to monitor and ensure compliance with statutory time frames for conducting hearings in department cases, and no later than July 1, 2000, shall submit a report to the Chief Justice, with copies to the Department of Social Services and the Governor, containing recommendations for instituting the necessary data collection system.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-450 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 63-19-450
SECTION 63-19-450. Youth Industries Program.
Status: in_force

(A) The director of the Department of Juvenile Justice may establish a Youth Industries Program, consistent with all applicable state and federal child labor laws, employing juveniles committed to the department. This program may include: (1) providing services to private industries including, but not limited to: (a) packing, assembling, handling, reconditioning or restoring products, goods, wares, or merchandise; (b) contracting with private industry for the manufacturing and processing of goods, wares, or merchandise; (c) contracting with other profit or nonprofit businesses or commercial enterprises to provide the services enumerated in subitems (a) and (b) within the department's Sheltered Workshop Program; (2) manufacturing or processing industry or service which utilizes juveniles in the manufacture or production of goods, wares, merchandise, articles, or products or in providing services which may be needed for the construction, operation, maintenance, or use of any office, department, institution, or agency supported in whole or in part by this State or a political subdivision of this State; or (3) otherwise engaging juveniles in paid work opportunities within the department, consistent with the general welfare of the department's mission of rehabilitation and treatment. (B) To implement the Youth Industries Program the director may enter into contracts in the manner provided by law to implement its Youth Industries Program. A contract may include rental or lease agreements for state land or buildings or portions of state buildings on the grounds of an institution or a facility of the Department of Juvenile Justice and if the contract contains such rental or lease agreements, it must provide the business entity with reasonable access to and egress from these grounds, buildings, and facilities. (C) In conducting the Youth Industries Program, the department may purchase equipment, raw materials, and supplies in the manner provided by law and may engage necessary supervisory personnel. (D) The prices of articles or products manufactured or produced or services rendered under the Youth Industries Program must be uniform and nondiscriminating and must be as near to the usual market price for these articles, products, or services as is practicable. (E) All monies collected by the department from the sale or disposition of articles and products manufactured or produced or from services rendered by juveniles in the Youth Industries Program must be deposited into a special account designated "Youth Industries Account". The monies collected and deposited into this account must be used solely for the purchasing of manufacturing supplies, equipment, machinery, and buildings for the Youth Industries Program to pay the wages of the juveniles employed in the program and the salaries of the necessary personnel in the program, and to defray the necessary expenses of the program. The director must deduct from wages paid to a juvenile: (1) state, federal, and local taxes; (2) allocations for support of children pursuant to law, court order, or agreement by the committed juvenile; and (3) contributions to any fund established by law to compensate the victims of crime of not more than twenty percent and not less than five percent of gross wages. These deductions may not exceed eighty percent of gross wages.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-2420 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 24 / Section 63-11-2420
SECTION 63-11-2420. Maintenance of protocol.
Status: in_force

The Department of Children's Advocacy shall maintain the protocol and the committee's updates to the protocol.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-390 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-390
SECTION 63-15-390. Uniformity of application.
Status: in_force

In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-1730 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 17 / Section 63-11-1730
SECTION 63-11-1730. Board of trustees; promulgation of comprehensive long-term initiative; regulations; policies.
Status: repealed

To oversee and be accountable for the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Initiative, in accordance with the APA, the board shall: (1) develop and promulgate a comprehensive long-range initiative for improving early childhood development and increasing school readiness and literacy, which shall include the specific requirements of Chapter 152, Title 59; (2) in accordance with the APA, promulgate regulations and establish guidelines, policies, and procedures for the continued implementation of the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative; (3) provide oversight on the continued implementation and evaluation of the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative at the state and local levels; (4) establish and promulgate grant qualification requirements and a formula by which allocations for qualifying partnership grants shall be calculated; (5) ensure the provision of technical assistance, consultation services and support to First Steps Partnerships including: the creation and annual revision of county needs assessments; the prioritization, implementation, and evaluation of each First Steps Partnership's strategic plans based on needs assessments; and the identification of assets from other funding sources; (6) assess and develop recommendations for ensuring coordination and collaboration among service providers at both the state and county level, for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of state programs and funding and other programs and funding sources, as allowable, as necessary to carry out the First Steps to School Readiness initiative, including additional fiscal strategies, redeployment of state resources, and development of new programs; (7) establish and promulgate results-oriented measures and objectives and assess whether services provided by First Steps Partnerships to children and families are meeting the goals and achieving the results established for the First Steps initiative pursuant to Chapter 152, Title 59; (8) receive gifts, bequests, and devises for deposit for awarding grants to First Steps Partnerships; (9) report annually to the General Assembly by January first on activities and progress to include recommendations for changes and legislative initiatives and results of program evaluations; (10) establish and promulgate internal policies and procedures to allow the board to operate optimally, which shall include, but not be limited to, an established and consistent process for decision making; (11) develop, implement, and document an annual performance process for the Director of the Office of South Carolina First Steps; (12) establish and promulgate bylaws for adoption by local First Steps Partnerships; (13) establish core personnel policies and procedures for adoption by local First Steps Partnerships; (14) develop a standard process by July 1, 2024, for reviewing submissions made by local partnerships as it relates to the hiring, salaries, and annual performance evaluations of local partnership executive directors pursuant to Chapter 152, Title 59; (15) establish and promulgate internal evaluation policies and procedures for local partnerships for annual review pursuant to Chapter 152, Title 59; and (16) arrange for the conduction of an independent external program evaluation pursuant to Chapter 152, Title 59. Editor's Note 2013 Act No. 101, SECTION 117.114, provides as follows: "117.114. (GP: First Steps Reauthorization) Act 99 of 1999, the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Act, is reauthorized for the duration of Fiscal Year 2013-2014." 2014 Act No. 286, SECTION 117.108, provides as follows: "117.108. (GP: First Steps Reauthorization) Act 99 of 1999, the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Act, is reauthorized for the duration of Fiscal Year 2014-2015." 2018 Act No. 152, SECTION 8, provides as follows: "SECTION 8. Section 20B. of Act 287 of 2014 [reauthorizing the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Act until July 1, 2016] is repealed. Act 99 of 1999, South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Act, as amended by this act, is reauthorized until June 30, 2025." Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 287, SECTION 21, rewrote the section. 2023 Act No. 81, SECTION 8, inserted (13) and (14) and redesignated former (13) and (14) as (15) and (16).
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-385 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 63-17-385
SECTION 63-17-385. Failure to pay court-ordered child support other than periodic child support payments; affidavit; hearing; costs and attorney's fees.
Status: in_force

(A) Where a court order requires a parent to provide monetary support for a child in the form of payment of health, medical, educational, or other expenses, excluding periodic child support payments, and the parent fails to do so, the other parent or the child's custodial guardian may petition the court for relief using an authorized affidavit and supporting documents setting forth the existence of the expense and the failure of the parent to pay the required support. (1) Within sixty days of approval of this act by the Governor, Court Administration shall prepare the authorized affidavit form and make it available to petitioners seeking relief under the provisions of this section. The authorized affidavit form must contain the following information: (a) the names and addresses of the petitioner and the parent alleged to have failed to make the support payment; (b) the amount and nature of the support payment the parent allegedly failed to make; (c) the date and manner in which the petitioner notified the alleged nonpaying parent and requested payment; (d) the response, if any, of the alleged nonpaying parent upon receiving the petitioner's request for payment; and (e) if the matter relates to an expense covered by an insurance policy, whether an insurance claim has been filed, and, if so, the insurance carrier's response. (2) The authorized affidavit may be accompanied by the following documents: (a) a copy of the court order requiring the parent to provide monetary support for a child excluding periodic payments of funds for support; (b) a copy of any bill, invoice, or other written document, substantiating the expense the petitioner claims the parent is required to pay; (c) a copy of any written request for payment of the support by the petitioner to the alleged nonpaying parent; (d) a copy of any written reply from the alleged nonpaying parent to the parent responding to the petitioner's request for payment; (e) if the matter relates to an expense covered by an insurance policy, a copy of all correspondence to and from the insurance carrier pertaining to payment of the claim; (f) proof that the petitioner has satisfied that portion of the expense he is required to pay pursuant to the court order; and (g) the current mailing address of the alleged nonpaying parent. (3) Upon receipt of a petition accompanied by an authorized affidavit, the court shall issue a rule to show cause to the alleged nonpaying parent for nonpayment of the required support. The parent must be served in accordance with the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. The court also shall provide notice of the hearing to the petitioner. (B)(1) At the hearing on the rule to show cause, once the petitioner has established his claim, the burden is on the alleged nonpaying parent to establish a defense. (2) The alleged nonpaying parent may assert any defense allowed by law. (3) The petitioner must be present at the hearing and may be called upon to testify. (C) If the family court determines that the claims or defenses of either party are frivolous, or that either party knowingly or intentionally made or filed a false authorized affidavit, or knowingly or intentionally submitted false documents in support of a claim or defense, the court may award to either party attorney's fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in the prosecution or defense of the petition.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1460 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 13 / Section 63-19-1460
SECTION 63-19-1460. Conveyance by sheriff.
Status: in_force

A child committed under the terms of this chapter must be conveyed by the sheriff, deputy sheriff, or persons appointed by the sheriff of the county in which the child resides to the custody of the department, and the expense of the conveyance and delivery must be borne by the county. The committing judge may order that the child be transferred to the custody of the department without the attendance of an officer or in a manner as may be advisable.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2430 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 23 / Section 63-19-2430
SECTION 63-19-2430. Playing pinball.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for a minor under the age of eighteen to play a pinball machine.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1030 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 9 / Section 63-19-1030
SECTION 63-19-1030. Prehearing inquiry.
Status: in_force

(A) Whenever a person informs the court that a child is within the purview of this chapter, the court shall make preliminary inquiry to determine whether the interest of the public or of the child requires that further action be taken. Thereupon, the court may make an informal adjustment as is practicable without a petition or may authorize a petition to be filed by any person. Text of (B) effective July 1, 2019. See Editor's Note for contingency. (B) The petition and all subsequent court documents must be entitled: "In the Family Court of _______ County. In the Interest of _______, a child under eighteen years of age." The petition must be verified and may be upon information and belief. It shall set forth plainly: (1) the facts which bring the child within the purview of this chapter; (2) the name, age, and residence of the child; (3) the names and residences of the child's parents; (4) the name and residence of a legal guardian, if there is one, of the person or persons having custody of or control of the child, or of the nearest known relative if no parent or guardian can be found. If any of these facts are not known by the petitioner, the petition shall state that. (C) Before the hearing of a case of a child, the judge shall cause an investigation of all the facts pertaining to the issue to be made. The investigation shall consist of an examination of the parentage and surroundings of the child, the child's age, habits and history, and also shall include inquiry into the home conditions, habits and character of the child's parents or guardian, if that is necessary in the discretion of the court. In these cases the court, if advisable, shall cause the child to be examined as to the child's mentality by a competent and experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who shall make a report of the findings. Before the hearing in the case of a child, if the child attends school, a report on the child must be obtained from the school which the child attends. The school officials shall furnish the report upon the request of the court or its probation counselor. The court, when it is considered necessary, shall cause a complete physical examination to be made of the child by a competent physician. (D) In a case where the delinquency proceedings may result in commitment to an institution in which the child's freedom is curtailed, the child or the child's parents or guardian must be given written notice with particularity of the specific charge or factual allegations to be considered at the hearing. The notice must be given as soon as practicable and sufficiently in advance to permit preparation. The child or the child's parent or guardian also must be advised in the notice of their right to be represented by counsel and that, if they are unable to employ counsel, counsel will be appointed to represent them. In the hearing, the parent and child also must be expressly informed of their right to counsel and must be specifically required to consider whether they do or do not waive the right of counsel. Editor's Note 2016 Act No. 268, SECTION 12, provides as follows: "SECTION 12. Section 10 of this act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. Sections 1 through 9 and Section 11 of this act take effect on July 1, 2019, contingent upon the Department of Juvenile Justice having received any funds that may be necessary for implementation. If the report submitted to the General Assembly on September 1, 2017, reflects any additional funds needed by the Department of Juvenile Justice to ensure implementation will be possible on July 1, 2019, the department shall include these funds in its budget requests to the General Assembly as part of Fiscal Years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. Beginning on September 1, 2017, all state and local agencies and courts involved with the implementation of the provisions of this act may begin undertaking and executing any and all applicable responsibilities so that the provisions of this act may be fully implemented on July 1, 2019." Effect of Amendment 2016 Act No. 268, SECTION 3, in the second undesignated paragraph under (B), substituted "under eighteen years of age" for "under seventeen years of age".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3740 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3740
SECTION 63-17-3740. Confirmation.
Status: in_force

Confirmation of a registered support order, whether by operation of law or after notice and hearing, precludes further contest of the order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted at the time of registration. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, inserted "support" before "order". Subpart 3 Registration and Modification of Child-Support Order of Another State DERIVATION TABLE Showing the sections in former Chapter 7, Title 20 from which the sections in this subpart were derived.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-80 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 63-13-80
SECTION 63-13-80. Investigations and inspections.
Status: in_force

(A) In exercising the powers of licensing, approving, renewing, revoking, or making provisional licenses and approvals, the department shall investigate and inspect licensees and approved operators and applicants for a license or an approval. The authorized representative of the department may visit a childcare center, group childcare home, or family childcare home anytime during the hours of operation without prior notice once a year for purposes of investigations and inspections. In conducting investigations and inspections, the department may call on political subdivisions and governmental agencies for appropriate assistance within their authorized fields. The inspection of the health and fire safety of childcare centers and group childcare homes must be completed upon the request of the department by the appropriate agencies (i.e., Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, or local authorities). Inspection reports completed by state agencies and local authorities must be furnished to the department and become a part of its determination of conformity for licensing and approval. After careful consideration of the reports and consultation where necessary, the department shall assume responsibility for the final determination of licensing, approving, renewing, revoking, or making provisional licenses and approvals. However, upon receipt of a regulatory complaint, the department shall conduct an unannounced inspection of the facility to investigate the complaint. If the complaint is written, the department shall provide a copy to the director upon request. (B) Before issuing a license or approval the department shall conduct an investigation of the applicant and the proposed plan of care for children and for operating a childcare center or a group childcare home. If the results of the investigation satisfy the department that the provisions of this chapter and the applicable regulations promulgated by the department are satisfied, a license or approval must be issued. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 295, SECTION 2, in subsection (A), in the first sentence, substituted "center, group childcare home, or family childcare home anytime during the hours of operation without prior notice once a year" for "center or group childcare home anytime during the hours of operation", and added the last sentence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3935 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3935
SECTION 63-17-3935. Registration of convention support order.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this article, a party who is an individual or a support enforcement agency seeking recognition of a convention support order shall register the order in this State as provided in Part VI. (B) Notwithstanding Sections 63-17-3320 and 63-17-3620, a request for registration of a convention support order must be accompanied by: (1) a complete text of the support order; (2) a record stating that the support order is enforceable in the issuing country; (3) if the respondent did not appear and was not represented in the proceedings in the issuing country, a record attesting, as appropriate, either that the respondent had proper notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard or that the respondent had proper notice of the support order and an opportunity to be heard in a challenge or appeal on fact or law before a tribunal; (4) a record showing the amount of arrears, if any, and the date the amount was calculated; (5) a record showing a requirement for automatic adjustment of the amount of support, if any, and the information necessary to make the appropriate calculations; and (6) if necessary, a record showing the extent to which the applicant received free legal assistance in the issuing country. (C) A request for registration of a convention support order may seek recognition and partial enforcement of the order. (D) A tribunal of this State may vacate the registration of a convention support order without the filing of a contest under Section 63-17-3940 only if, acting on its own motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement of the order would be manifestly incompatible with public policy. (E) The tribunal promptly shall notify the parties of the registration or the order vacating the registration of a convention support order.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-330 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-330
SECTION 63-7-330. Confidentiality of information.
Status: in_force

(A) The identity of the person making a report pursuant to this section must be kept confidential by the agency or department receiving the report and must not be disclosed except as provided for in subsection (B) or (C) or as otherwise provided for in this chapter. (B) When the department refers a report to a law enforcement agency for a criminal investigation, the department must inform the law enforcement agency of the identity of the person who reported the child abuse or neglect. The identity of the reporter must only be used by the law enforcement agency to further the criminal investigation arising from the report, and the agency must not disclose the reporter's identity to any person other than an employee of the agency who is involved in the criminal investigation arising from the report. If the reporter testifies in a criminal proceeding arising from the report, it must not be disclosed that the reporter made the report. (C) When a law enforcement agency refers a report to the department for an investigation or other response, the law enforcement agency must inform the department of the identity of the person who reported the child abuse or neglect. The department must not disclose the identity of the reporter to any person except as authorized by Section 63-7-1990.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-1760 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 7 / Section 63-9-1760
SECTION 63-9-1760. Eligible children.
Status: in_force

A child meeting criteria specified in Section 63-9-1750 for whom the department believes supplemental benefits are necessary to improve opportunities for adoption is eligible for the program. The agency shall document that reasonable efforts have been made to place the child in adoption without supplemental benefits through the use of adoption resource exchanges, recruitment, and referral to appropriate specialized adoption agencies.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-640 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 5 / Section 63-13-640
SECTION 63-13-640. Deficiency correction notices.
Status: in_force

(A) Whenever the department finds upon inspection that a public childcare center or group childcare home is not complying with any applicable regulations, the department may notify the operator to correct the deficiencies. (B) Every correction notice must be in writing and shall include a statement of the deficiencies found, the period within which the deficiencies must be corrected and the provision of the chapter and regulations relied upon. The period must be reasonable and, except when the department finds an emergency dangerous to the health or safety of children, not less than thirty days from the receipt of the notice. (C) Within two weeks of receipt of the notice, the operator of the public childcare center or group childcare home may file a written request with the department for administrative reconsideration of the notice or any portion of the notice. (D) The department shall grant or deny a written request within seven days of filing and shall notify the operator of the childcare center or group childcare home of the grant or denial. (E) In the event that the operator fails to correct any deficiency within the period prescribed for correction, the department shall notify the appropriate public officials.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-430 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-430
SECTION 63-7-430. Civil action for bad faith reporting.
Status: in_force

(A) If the family court determines pursuant to Section 63-7-2000 that a person has made a report of suspected child abuse or neglect maliciously or in bad faith or if a person has been found guilty of making a false report pursuant to Section 63-7-440, the department may bring a civil action to recover the costs of the department's investigation and proceedings associated with the investigation, including attorney's fees. The department also is entitled to recover costs and attorney's fees incurred in the civil action authorized by this section. The decision of whether to bring a civil action pursuant to this section is in the sole discretion of the department. (B) If the family court determines pursuant to Section 63-7-2000 that a person has made a false report of suspected child abuse or neglect maliciously or in bad faith or if a person has been found guilty of making a false report pursuant to Section 63-7-440, a person who was subject of the false report has a civil cause of action against the person who made the false report and is entitled to recover from the person who made the false report such relief as may be appropriate, including: (1) actual damages; (2) punitive damages; and (3) a reasonable attorney's fee and other litigation costs reasonably incurred.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-510 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 63-9-510
SECTION 63-9-510. Temporary placement and custody of adoptee.
Status: in_force

Once a petitioner has received the adoptee into his home and a petition for adoption has been filed, the petitioner has temporary custody of the adoptee and is responsible for the care, maintenance, and support of the adoptee, including necessary medical or surgical treatment, except as provided in Article 7. A postplacement investigation and report of this investigation pursuant to Section 63-9-520 must be completed before the final hearing. Unless the adoptee is removed pursuant to Subarticle 3, Article 3, Chapter 7, when adoptive parents have received the adoptee into their home for the purpose of adoption but no petition has been filed pursuant to Section 63-9-710, the child-placing agency shall secure an order from the family court before removal of the child from the adoptive parents. At the hearing the burden of proof is on the child-placing agency to prove that continued placement with the adoptive family is not in the adoptee's best interest.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1530 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 11 / Section 63-17-1530
SECTION 63-17-1530. Record of payments and disbursements.
Status: in_force

Copies of support payment records certified by the Department of Social Services or the clerk of court shall, without further proof, be admissible as evidence in a dispute concerning support payments.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-2260 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 22 / Section 63-11-2260
SECTION 63-11-2260. Compensation of State Child Advocate.
Status: in_force

The State Child Advocate shall receive compensation as established under the provisions of Section 8-11-160 and for which funds have been authorized in the general appropriations act. Editor's Note 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."
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-690 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 6 / Section 63-15-690
SECTION 63-15-690. Uniformity of application and construction.
Status: in_force

In applying and construing this article, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-930 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 9 / Section 63-11-930
SECTION 63-11-930. Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

To carry out its assigned functions, the board is authorized, but not limited to: (1) assess the critical needs for child abuse and neglect prevention; (2) receive gifts, bequests, and devises for deposit and investment into the trust fund and to award grants to private nonprofit organizations and state agencies that meet certain qualifications; (3) invest trust fund monies; (4) solicit proposals for programs which will be aimed at meeting identified child abuse and neglect prevention needs; (5) provide technical assistance to private, nonprofit organizations, when requested, in preparing proposals for submission to the trust fund; (6) establish criteria for awarding of grants for child abuse and neglect prevention which shall include the consideration of at least: (a) the priority of the service need that the proposal addresses; (b) the quality and soundness of the proposal and its probable effectiveness in accomplishing its objectives; (c) a cost-benefit analysis of the project; (d) the degree of community support for the proposal; (e) the utilization of local resources including volunteers, when appropriate, and matching or in-kind contributions which may be, but are not required; (f) the qualifications of employees to be hired under the grant; (g) the experience of the proposed project administrators in providing on going accountability for the program; (7) enter into contracts for the awarding of grants to private, nonprofit organizations for child abuse and neglect prevention.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-2010 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 63-9-2010
SECTION 63-9-2010. Compact contents.
Status: in_force

A compact entered into pursuant to the authority conferred by this article must contain: (1) a provision making it available for joinder by all states; (2) a provision for withdrawal from the compact upon written notice to the parties but one year between the date of the notice and the effective date of the withdrawal; (3) a requirement that the protections afforded by or pursuant to the compact continue in force for the duration of the adoption assistance and be applicable to all children and their adoptive parents who on the effective date of the withdrawal are receiving adoption assistance from a party state other than the one in which they are resident and have their principal place of abode; (4) a requirement that each instance of adoption assistance to which the compact applies be covered by an adoption assistance agreement in writing between the adoptive parents and the state child welfare agency of the state which undertakes to provide the adoption assistance, and that the agreement be expressly for the benefit of the adopted child and enforceable by the adoptive parents and the state agency providing the adoption assistance; (5) other provisions as may be appropriate to implement the proper administration of the compact.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-740 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-740
SECTION 63-7-740. Ex parte emergency protective custody.
Status: in_force

(A) The family court may order ex parte that a child be taken into emergency protective custody without the consent of parents, guardians, or others exercising temporary or permanent control over the child if: (1) the family court judge determines there is probable cause to believe that by reason of abuse or neglect there exists an imminent and substantial danger to the child's life, health, or physical safety; and (2) parents, guardians, or others exercising temporary or permanent control over the child are unavailable or do not consent to the child's removal from their custody. (B) If the court issues such an order, the department shall conduct a preliminary investigation and otherwise proceed as provided in this subarticle.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3840 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3840
SECTION 63-17-3840. Enforcement of modified order.
Status: in_force

If a child-support order issued by a tribunal of this State is modified by a tribunal of another state which assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, a tribunal of this State: (1) may enforce its order that was modified only as to arrears and interest accruing before the modification; (2) may provide appropriate relief for violations of its order which occurred before the effective date of the modification; and (3) shall recognize the modifying order of the other state, upon registration, for the purpose of enforcement. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, reenacted this section with no change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1870 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 17 / Section 63-19-1870
SECTION 63-19-1870. Revocation of conditional release.
Status: in_force

The order of revocation of a conditional release may be issued and made effective after the period of aftercare supervision prescribed in the release has expired when the violations of the conditions or release occurred during the aftercare supervision period.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-5-10 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 63-5-10
SECTION 63-5-10. Spousal and child support.
Status: in_force

A husband or wife declared to be chargeable with the support of his or her spouse and children, if possessed of sufficient means or able to earn such means, may be required to pay for their support a fair and reasonable sum according to his or her means, as may be determined by the court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-1500 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 11 / Section 63-17-1500
SECTION 63-17-1500. Notification upon employment.
Status: in_force

An obligor whose income is being withheld or who has been served with a notice of delinquency pursuant to this article shall notify the clerk of court of any new payor and of the availability of health insurance for any children for whom support is ordered within seven days after employment commences.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-30 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 63-17-30
SECTION 63-17-30. Genetic tests; costs.
Status: in_force

(A) As soon as practicable after an action has been commenced, the court, upon its motion or that of an interested party, may order the natural mother, the putative father, and the child to submit to genetic tests such as red blood cell antigen testing, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing, electrophoresis, or other tests which have been developed for the purpose of proving or disproving parentage and which are reasonably accessible. If the court orders any of these tests, and if the action is commenced prior to the birth of the child, the court shall also order that the tests be made as soon as medically feasible after the birth of the child. The tests must be performed under the supervision of a qualified expert. In all cases the court shall determine the number and the qualifications of experts, except that the parties may submit for the court's approval a written stipulation regarding experts and facilities to be used for testing. The costs of any tests not disposed of by written stipulation must be paid by the parties as ordered by the court. However, in any action initiated pursuant to Section 43-5-220 where the court determines that the respondent is indigent, the court may order that these costs be borne by the petitioner. When the State of South Carolina is the petitioner and the respondent is indigent and the court orders the petitioner to pay these costs, they must be paid from amounts collected under the Child Support Enforcement Program (Title IV-D). (B) For all child support cases administered under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, the child and all other parties in a contested paternity case, upon the request of any party to the action, must be ordered by the court to submit to the genetic testing, as provided for in subsection (A), to determine paternity. This testing is not required where the individual involved has good cause for failing to cooperate pursuant to the provisions of Section 402(a)(26)(B) of the Social Security Act or where the court determines that paternity has been previously established by operation of law or judicial finding of fact. (C) For all child support cases not administered under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, the child and all parties in a contested paternity case, upon the request of any party to the action, must be ordered by the court to submit to the genetic testing, as provided for in subsection (A), to determine paternity. This testing is not required where the court determines that good cause, including the presumption of legitimacy, not to order the test exists or where the court determines that paternity has been established previously by operation of law or judicial finding of fact. (D) Any order issued under this section is enforceable by contempt. Editor's Note The Child Support Enforcement Program (Title IV D), referred to in this section appears at 42 USCA SECTIONS 651 et seq.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-380 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 63-17-380
SECTION 63-17-380. Hearing notices.
Status: in_force

(A) If pursuant to family court rule, the clerk of court issues a rule to show cause in a case of child support or periodic alimony arrearage, the clerk also shall provide written notice to the party owed the support or alimony. The notice to the party owed support or alimony must: (1) be provided by the court at least five days prior to the hearing; (2) be sent by first class delivery through the United States Postal Service and addressed to the party's last address on file with the court; and (3) include the date, time, and place the party in arrears has been ordered to appear. (B) The mailing provided for in subsection (A) is considered sufficient notice of the hearing to the party owed the support or alimony. (C) The clerk of court shall place in the case file a copy of the notice sent to the party owed support or alimony with the time and date stamped on the copy. (D) This section does not apply to a rule to show cause in a case of child support or periodic alimony arrearage issued by a clerk of court pursuant to family court rule if the party owed the support or alimony is represented by the Department of Social Services.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-2170 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 15 / Section 63-17-2170
SECTION 63-17-2170. Withholding to reimburse medical expenses.
Status: in_force

(A) To the extent necessary to reimburse the state agency administering the Medicaid program for expenditures on behalf of a child, the agency may petition the court seeking withholding of employment income or state tax refunds from a person who: (1) is required by a court order to provide and maintain health coverage for a child who is eligible for medical assistance under a State Plan for Medical Assistance pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act; (2) has received payment from a third party for the costs of health care items or services; and (3) has not used the payment to reimburse, as appropriate, either the other parent or guardian of the child or the provider of the items or services. (B) Claims for current or past due child support take priority over claims filed pursuant to this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3100 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3100
SECTION 63-17-3100. Evidence from another state.
Status: in_force

A tribunal of this State exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under this article, under other laws of this State relating to a support order, or recognizing a foreign support order may receive evidence from outside this State pursuant to Section 63-17-3360, communicate with a tribunal outside this State pursuant to Section 63-17-3370, and obtain discovery through a tribunal outside this State pursuant to Section 63-17-3380. In all other respects, Parts III through VI do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this State. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, inserted "laws" before "of this State relating"; substituted "or recognizing a foreign support order may receive evidence from outside this State" for "or recognizing a support order of a foreign country or political subdivision on the basis of comity may receive evidence from another state"; twice substituted "a tribunal outside this State" for "a tribunal of another state"; and substituted "Parts III through VI" for "Parts III through VII".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-1670 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-1670
SECTION 63-7-1670. Treatment plan.
Status: in_force

(A) At the close of a hearing pursuant to Section 63-7-1650 or 63-7-1660 and upon a finding that the child shall remain in the home and that protective services shall continue, the family court shall review and approve a treatment plan designed to alleviate any danger to the child and to aid the parents so that the child will not be endangered in the future. (B) The plan must be prepared by the department and shall detail any changes in parental behavior or home conditions that must be made and any services which will be provided to the family to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that the child will not be endangered. Whenever possible, the plan must be prepared with the participation of the parents, the child, and any other agency or individual that will be required to provide services. The plan must be submitted to the court at the hearing. If any changes in the plan are ordered, the department shall submit a revised plan to the court within two weeks of the hearing, with copies to the parties and legal counsel. Any dispute regarding the plan must be resolved by the court. The terms of the plan must be included as part of the court order. The court order shall specify a date when treatment goals must be achieved and court jurisdiction ends, unless the court specifically finds that the matter must be brought back before the court for further review before the case may be closed. If the order requires further court review before case closure, the order shall specify a time limit for holding the next hearing. (C)(1) Unless services are to terminate earlier, the department shall schedule a review hearing before the court at least once every twelve months to establish whether the conditions which required the initial intervention exist. If the conditions no longer exist, the court shall order termination of protective services, and the court's jurisdiction shall end. If the court finds that the conditions which required the initial intervention are still present, it shall establish: (a) what services have been offered to or provided to the parents; (b) whether the parents are satisfied with the delivery of services; (c) whether the department is satisfied with the cooperation given to the department by the parents; (d) whether additional services should be ordered and additional treatment goals established; and (e) the date when treatment goals must be achieved and court jurisdiction ends. (2) The court order shall specify a date upon which jurisdiction will terminate automatically, which must be no later than eighteen months after the initial intervention. Jurisdiction may be extended pursuant to a hearing on motion by any party, if the court finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the child is threatened with harm absent a continuation of services.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-1930 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-1930
SECTION 63-7-1930. Petition for placement in Central Registry.
Status: in_force

(A) At any time following receipt of a report, the department may petition the family court for an order directing that the person named as perpetrator be entered in the Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect. The petition must have attached a written case summary stating facts sufficient to establish by a preponderance of evidence that the person named as perpetrator abused or neglected the child and that the nature and circumstances of the abuse indicate that the person named as perpetrator would present a significant risk of committing physical or sexual abuse or wilful or reckless neglect if placed in a position or setting outside of the person's home that involves care of or substantial contact with children. The department must serve a copy of the petition and summary on the person named as perpetrator. The petition must include a statement that the judge must rule based on the facts stated in the petition unless the clerk of court or the clerk's designee receives a written request for a hearing from the person named as perpetrator within five days after service of the petition. The name, address, and telephone number of the clerk of court or the clerk's designee must be stated in the petition. If the person named as perpetrator requests a hearing, the court must schedule a hearing on the merits of the allegations in the petition and summary to be held no later than five working days following the request. (B) The department must seek an order placing a person in the Central Registry pursuant to subsection (A) in all cases in which the department concludes that there is a preponderance of evidence that the person committed sexual abuse.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1430 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 13 / Section 63-19-1430
SECTION 63-19-1430. Youth Mentor Act.
Status: in_force

(A) This section may be cited as the "Youth Mentor Act". (B) The Attorney General's Office shall establish a Youth Mentor Program to serve juvenile offenders under the jurisdiction of the family court. The program shall consist of a church mentor program and a community mentor program. Participation in the program may be required as a pretrial diversion option by a solicitor or as an optional, alternative disposition by a family court judge. The circuit solicitor may charge a juvenile offender who participates in the Youth Mentor Program a fee to offset the actual cost of administering the program; however, no juvenile offender is barred from the program because of indigence. This program must be available for juveniles who commit nonviolent offenses. For purposes of this subsection, nonviolent offenses mean all offenses not listed in Section 16-1-60. (C) When a child is charged with a nonviolent offense which places him under the jurisdiction of the family court and the solicitor is of the opinion that justice would be better served if the child completed a church mentor program, the solicitor may divert the child to such a program. Upon completion of the program, the proceedings in family court must be dismissed. Participation in the church mentor program is voluntary, and the child or his parents or guardians may refuse to participate based upon their religious beliefs or for any other reason. The Attorney General must establish guidelines for the program, the mentors, and the churches, mosques, masjids, synagogues, and other religious organizations that participate in the church mentor program. (D) When a child is adjudicated delinquent for a nonviolent offense in family court, the family court judge may order the child to participate in the community mentor program. When a child is ordered to participate in the community mentor program, he must be assigned to a community organization which shall assign a mentor to the child. The mentor shall monitor the academic and personal development of the child for a minimum period of six months and a maximum period not exceeding one year as ordered by the court. Failure to complete the program shall result in the child being brought before the family court for appropriate sanctions or revocation of suspended commitment. The Attorney General must establish guidelines for the program, the mentors, and the community organizations that participate in the community mentor program.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-1020 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 9 / Section 63-19-1020
SECTION 63-19-1020. Instituting proceedings.
Status: in_force

The parent or custodian of a child, an official of a child welfare board, a public official charged by law with the care of the poor, the recognized agents of an agency, association, society, or institution, a person having knowledge or information of a nature which convinces the person that a child is delinquent or that a child, by reason of his own acts in accordance with this chapter, is subject to the jurisdiction of the court, any person who has suffered injury through the delinquency of a child, or an officer having an arrested child in charge, may institute a proceeding respecting the child.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-370 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-370
SECTION 63-15-370. Warrant to take physical custody.
Status: in_force

(A) Upon the filing of a petition seeking enforcement of a child custody determination, the petitioner may file a verified application for the issuance of a warrant to take physical custody of the child if the child is immediately likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this State. (B) If the court, upon the testimony of the petitioner or other witness, finds that the child is imminently likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this State, it may issue a warrant to take physical custody of the child. The petition must be heard on the next judicial day after the warrant is executed unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The application for the warrant must include the statements required by Section 63-15-364(B). (C) A warrant to take physical custody of a child must: (1) recite the facts upon which a conclusion of imminent serious physical harm or removal from the jurisdiction is based; (2) direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of the child immediately; and (3) provide for the placement of the child pending final relief. (D) The respondent must be served with the petition, warrant, and order immediately after the child is taken into physical custody. (E) A warrant to take physical custody of a child is enforceable throughout this State. If the court finds on the basis of the testimony of the petitioner or other witness that a less intrusive remedy is not effective, it may authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property to take physical custody of the child. If required by exigent circumstances of the case, the court may authorize law enforcement officers to make a forcible entry at any hour. (F) The court may impose conditions upon placement of a child to ensure the appearance of the child and the child's custodian.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-2140 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 15 / Section 63-17-2140
SECTION 63-17-2140. Withholding by employer.
Status: in_force

(A) If a court order requires a parent to provide and maintain health coverage for a child and the parent is eligible for family health coverage through an employer, the order shall include a provision directing the employer to withhold from money, income, or periodic earnings due the parent an amount which is sufficient to provide for premiums for the health coverage offered through the employer unless: (1) the court finds that under regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, circumstances exist warranting withholding less than the employee's share of the premiums; or (2) the amount withheld exceeds the maximum amount permitted to be withheld under the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act. (B) Income withholding takes effect immediately upon completion of enrollment requirements.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-2020 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 63-9-2020
SECTION 63-9-2020. Additional provisions.
Status: in_force

A compact entered into pursuant to the authority conferred by this article may contain provisions in addition to those required by Section 63-9-2010 as follows: (1) establishing procedures and entitlements to medical, developmental, child care, or other social services for the child in accordance with applicable laws, even though the child and the adoptive parents are in a state other than the one responsible for or providing the services or the funds to defray part or all of the costs of the services; (2) other provisions as may be appropriate or incidental to the proper administration of the compact.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3360 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3360
SECTION 63-17-3360. Nonresident party proceedings.
Status: in_force

(A) The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an individual in a tribunal of this State is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage of a child. (B) An affidavit, a document substantially complying with federally mandated forms, or a document incorporated by reference in any of them, which would not be excluded under the hearsay rule if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under penalty of perjury by a party or witness residing outside this State. (C) A copy of the record of child-support payments certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal. The copy is evidence of facts asserted in it, and is admissible to show whether payments were made. (D) Copies of bills for testing for parentage of a child, and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least ten days before trial, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary, and customary. (E) Documentary evidence transmitted from outside this State to a tribunal of this State by telephone, telecopier, or other electronic means that do not provide an original record may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission. (F) In a proceeding under this article, a tribunal of this State shall permit a party or witness residing outside this State to be deposed or to testify under penalty of perjury by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means at a designated tribunal or other location. A tribunal of this State shall cooperate with other tribunals in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony. (G) If a party called to testify at a civil hearing refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the trier of fact may draw an adverse inference from the refusal. (H) A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses does not apply in a proceeding under this article. (I) The defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child does not apply in a proceeding under this article. (J) A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage of the child. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 33, SECTION 1, in (A), inserted "of a child" at the end; in (B), substituted "residing outside this State" for "residing in another state"; in (D), inserted "of a child" following "parentage"; in (E), substituted "outside this State" for "another state", and inserted "electronic" before "means"; and in (F), substituted "outside this State" for "in another state", substituted "other location" for "other location in that state", and substituted "other tribunals" for "tribunals of other states".
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2050 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Article 19 / Section 63-19-2050
SECTION 63-19-2050. Petition for expungement of official records.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) A person who has been taken into custody for, charged with, or adjudicated delinquent for having committed a status offense or a nonviolent crime, as defined in Section 16-1-70, may petition the court for an order expunging all official records relating to: (a) being taken into custody; (b) the charges filed against the person; (c) the adjudication; and (d) the disposition. (2) A person may not petition the court if the person has a prior adjudication for an offense that would carry a maximum term of imprisonment of five years or more if committed by an adult. (B) A prosecution or law enforcement agency may file an objection to the expungement. If an objection is filed, the expungement must be heard by the court. The prosecution or law enforcement agency's reason for objecting must be that the person has other charges pending or the charges are not eligible for expungement. The prosecution or law enforcement agency shall notify the person of the objection. The notice must be given in writing at the most current address on file with the court, or through the person's counsel of record. Text of (C) effective July 1, 2019. See Editor's Note for contingency. (C)(1) If the person has been taken into custody for, charged with, or adjudicated delinquent for having committed a status offense, the court shall grant the expungement order. If the person has been taken into custody for, charged with, or adjudicated delinquent for having committed multiple status offenses, the court may grant an expungement order for the multiple status offenses. (2) If the person has been taken into custody for, charged with, or adjudicated delinquent for having committed a nonviolent crime, as defined in Section 16-1-70, the court may grant the expungement order. For the purpose of this section, any number of offenses for which the individual received youthful offender sentences at a single sentencing proceeding for offenses that are closely connected and arose out of the same incident may be considered as one offense and treated as one conviction for expungement purposes. (3) The court shall not grant the expungement order unless the court finds that the person is at least eighteen years of age, has successfully completed any dispositional sentence imposed, has not been subsequently adjudicated for or convicted of any criminal offense, and does not have any criminal charges pending in family court or general sessions court. If the person was found not guilty in an adjudicatory hearing in the family court, the court shall grant the expungement order regardless of the person's age and the person must not be charged a fee for the expungement. An adjudication for a violent crime, as defined in Section 16-1-60, must not be expunged. (D) If the expungement order is granted by the court, the records must be destroyed or retained by any law enforcement agency or municipal, county, state agency, or department pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-1-40. (E) The effect of the expungement order is to restore the person in the contemplation of the law to the status the person occupied before being taken into custody. No person to whom the expungement order has been entered may be held thereafter under any provision of law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving false statement by reason of failing to recite or acknowledge the charge or adjudication in response to an inquiry made of the person for any purpose. (F) For purposes of this section, an adjudication is considered a previous adjudication only if the adjudication occurred prior to the date the subsequent offense was committed. (G) The judge, at the time of adjudication, shall notify the person of the person's ability to have the person's record expunged, the conditions that must be met, as well as the process for receiving an expungement in the particular jurisdiction pursuant to this section. Editor's Note 2016 Act No. 268, SECTION 12, provides as follows: "SECTION 12. Section 10 of this act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. Sections 1 through 9 and Section 11 of this act take effect on July 1, 2019, contingent upon the Department of Juvenile Justice having received any funds that may be necessary for implementation. If the report submitted to the General Assembly on September 1, 2017, reflects any additional funds needed by the Department of Juvenile Justice to ensure implementation will be possible on July 1, 2019, the department shall include these funds in its budget requests to the General Assembly as part of Fiscal Years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. Beginning on September 1, 2017, all state and local agencies and courts involved with the implementation of the provisions of this act may begin undertaking and executing any and all applicable responsibilities so that the provisions of this act may be fully implemented on July 1, 2019." Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 22, SECTION 2, rewrote the section. 2016 Act No. 268, SECTION 9, in (C)(3), substituted "at least eighteen years of age" for "at least seventeen years of age". 2018 Act No. 254, SECTION 5, in (C)(2), added the second sentence, allowing for expungement of any number of offenses from a single sentencing proceeding for closely connected offenses.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-1-40 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 1 / Section 63-1-40
SECTION 63-1-40. Definitions.
Status: in_force

When used in this title and unless otherwise defined or the specific context indicates otherwise: (1) "Child" means a person under the age of eighteen. (2) "Court" means the family court. (3) "Guardian" means a person who legally has the care and management of a child. (4) "Judge" means the judge of the family court. (5) "Parent" means biological parent, adoptive parents, step-parent, or person with legal custody. (6) "Status offense" means any offense which would not be a misdemeanor or felony if committed by an adult, such as, but not limited to, incorrigibility (beyond the control of parents), truancy, running away, playing or loitering in a billiard room, playing a pinball machine or gaining admission to a theater by false identification. (7) "Child caring facility" means a campus with one or more staffed residences and with a total population of twenty or more children who are in care apart from their parents, relatives, or guardians on a continuing full-time basis for protection and guidance. (8) "Foster home" means a household of one or more persons who are licensed or approved to provide full-time care for one to five children living apart from their parents or guardians. (9) "Residential group care home" means a staffed residence with a population fewer than twenty children who are in care apart from their parents, relatives, or guardians on a full-time basis. Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 23, SECTION 1, reenacted the section with no apparent change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-2410 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 24 / Section 63-11-2410
SECTION 63-11-2410. Establishment of Child Abuse Protocol Review Committee; membership; meetings.
Status: in_force

(A) The South Carolina Children's Justice Act Task Force and the South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers shall develop and provide initial training on the protocol and updated training as needed for this purpose. The protocol must be publicly available and must be annually reviewed and updated as needed by an advisory committee known as the Child Abuse Protocol Review Committee. (B)(1) The Governor shall appoint the members of the Child Abuse Protocol Review Committee and may consult with the South Carolina Children's Justice Act Task Force and the South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers in making his appointments. The committee shall consist of thirteen members as follows: (a) the Executive Director of the South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, or his designee; (b) one member from state law enforcement; (c) one member from county law enforcement; (d) one member from a solicitor's office; (e) the Executive Director of the Department of Social Services, or his designee; (f) one member who is the Medical Director of the South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System, or his designee; (g) one member from the State Guardian Ad Litem Program or Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates; (h) one member from a school district; (i) one member from a statewide organization experienced in working with children with all disabilities; (j) the Executive Director of the South Carolina Police Chief's Association, or his designee; (k) the Executive Director of the South Carolina Sheriff's Association, or his designee; and (l) two at-large members. (2) The Department of Children's Advocacy shall convene the first meeting of the committee for the purpose of electing a chair and shall thereafter provide staff support to the committee. Members of the committee shall serve for terms of four years and may serve in a holdover capacity for up to six months after the expiration of their term, should a qualified successor not be appointed. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 28, SECTIONS 1 and 4, provide as follows: "SECTION 1. This act must be known and may be cited as the 'South Carolina Child Abuse Response Protocol Act'." "SECTION 4. SECTION 1 and Section 63-11-2410(B), as added by this act, take effect upon approval by the Governor. The remaining provisions take effect one year after approval by the Governor."
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-312 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 63-15-312
SECTION 63-15-312. Jurisdiction issues take priority.
Status: in_force

If a question of existence or exercise of jurisdiction under this article is raised in a child custody proceeding, the question, upon request of a party, must be given priority on the calendar and handled expeditiously.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-11-70 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 63-11-70
SECTION 63-11-70. Background checks; pardons.
Status: in_force

(A) A person seeking employment with a child welfare agency for a position with direct unsupervised contact with children must undergo a state fingerprint-based background check to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division to determine any state criminal history and a fingerprint-based background check to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine any other criminal history. A person seeking to serve as a volunteer with a child welfare agency for a position with direct unsupervised contact with children must undergo a state fingerprint-based background check to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division to determine any state criminal history and a fingerprint-based background check to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine any other criminal history. Additionally, the persons described in this section must also undergo a check of the State Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect, DSS department records, the equivalent registry system for each state in which the person has resided for five years preceding an application for employment or as a volunteer, the National Sex Offender Public Website, and the state sex offender registry. (B) 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. (C) Costs for Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint-based background checks required for prospective employees of a child welfare agency must be paid by the individual or entity requesting the background checks. (D) When a provision of law or regulation provides for a criminal history background check in connection with licensing, placement, service as a volunteer, or employment with a child welfare agency, the provision of law or regulation may not operate to prohibit licensing, placement, service as a volunteer, or employment when a conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere has been pardoned. However, notwithstanding the entry of a pardon, the department, child welfare agency, or employer 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 for licensing, placement, service as a volunteer, or employment. Effect of Amendment 2024 Act No. 195, SECTION 16, inserted (A) to (C) and redesignated the previously undesignated paragraph as (D).
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-2190 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 15 / Section 63-17-2190
SECTION 63-17-2190. Penalties.
Status: in_force

An employer or insurer who violates any provision of this article is subject to the contempt power of the court issuing the order and may be fined up to fifty dollars per day.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-320 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 63-7-320
SECTION 63-7-320. Notification; transfer; notice to designated military officials.
Status: in_force

(A) Where reports are made pursuant to Section 63-7-310 to a law enforcement agency, the law enforcement agency shall notify the county department of social services of the law enforcement's response to the report at the earliest possible time. (B) Where a county or contiguous counties have established multicounty child protective services, the county department of social services immediately shall transfer reports pursuant to this section to the service. (C) In the event the alleged abused or neglected child is a member of an active duty military family, concurrent with the transfer of the report, the county department of social services shall notify the designated authorities at the military installation where the active duty military sponsor is assigned, pursuant to the memorandum of understanding or agreement with the military installation's command authority. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 62, SECTION 1, added (C).
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-3950 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 63-17-3950
SECTION 63-17-3950. Partial enforcement.
Status: in_force

If a tribunal of this State does not recognize and enforce a convention support order in its entirety, it shall enforce any severable part of the order. An application or direct request may seek recognition and partial enforcement of a convention support order.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-13-1060 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Article 9 / Section 63-13-1060
SECTION 63-13-1060. Injunctions.
Status: in_force

The department may seek an injunction against the continuing operation of a childcare center or group childcare home in the family court having jurisdiction over the county in which the facility is located when the facility is considered to be out of compliance with the provisions of Sections 63-13-1010 and 63-13-1020.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-9-360 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 63-9-360
SECTION 63-9-360. Consent and relinquishment certification.
Status: in_force

(A) With the exception of the persons provided for in Section 63-9-340(A)(1), (2), and (4), any person obtaining a consent or relinquishment for the purpose of adoption must be certified by the State Department of Social Services. Any person conducting an investigation for the adoption of a child pursuant to Section 63-9-520 also must be certified by the department. However, where the adoption petitioner or prospective adoption petitioner is a nonresident of this State, a South Carolina family court may authorize a qualified nonresident to conduct any investigations required under Section 63-9-520. (B) The department shall promulgate regulations to provide for the following: certification of investigators; issuance, monitoring, and revocation of certificates; and sanctioning of noncompliance with regulations. Any person certified by the department may charge a fee which may not exceed the reasonable costs of the services rendered. The fee must be approved by the department during the certification process. (C) The department shall develop, revise, and publish quarterly a directory of persons certified pursuant to this section. A reasonable fee may be charged by the department for copies of this directory.
S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-2840 — SC Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Article 9 / Section 63-7-2840
SECTION 63-7-2840. Eligibility for supplemental legal guardianship benefits.
Status: in_force

(A) In order for a child to be eligible for supplemental legal guardianship benefits, the department shall determine that the following provisions apply: (1) the child is in the legal custody of the department by a removal action under Section 63-7-1660; (2) the child resided in the home of the relative for a consecutive, six-month period during which the child was in the legal custody of the department and the relative was licensed as a kinship foster parent; (3) the department determined that return home and adoption are not in the child's best interests; (4) the child and the relative share a strong attachment, and the relative has a strong commitment to permanently caring for the child; and (5) if the child is fourteen years of age or older, the department consulted the child regarding the legal guardianship; or (6) due to the death or incapacity of the legal guardian, the child has been placed with the successor legal guardian named in the supplemental legal guardianship benefits agreement. (B) Death or incapacity of the legal guardian does not affect the child's eligibility for supplemental legal guardianship benefits if the child is placed with the successor legal guardian named in the supplemental legal guardianship agreement, and the need for supplemental legal guardianship benefits still exists.