South Carolina House Bill 4804
Session 2025-2026
Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, penalties
Became Law
Signed by Governor on May 18, 2026
Sponsors
36 Sponsors
D. Mitchell
Lastinger
First Action
Dec 16, 2025
Latest Action
Jun 2, 2026
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill Number
4804
State
South Carolina
Session
2025-2026
D. Mitchell
grade
Primary
Lastinger
grade
Primary
Motion Text
Adopt Amendment 1A
House Roll Call Votes
Yes
Yes
Excused
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Ford, Greg
Yes
Excused
Excused
Yes
Excused
Henderson-Myers,, Rosalyn D., Ph.D.
Yes
Excused
Excused
Yes
Yes
Yes
Excused
Yes
Lastinger, John T., Jr.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Excused
Yes
Yes
Mitchell, Dianne
Yes
Morgan, T. Alan, Jr.
Yes
Neese, Mike M.
Yes
Excused
Excused
Yes
Sanders, Richard Blake
Yes
Scott, Keishan M.
Yes
Excused
Excused
Yes
Excused
Waters, Courtney S.
Yes
Summary
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-395, RELATING TO FIRST DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM PENALTY TO FIVE YEARS' IMPRISONMENT AND PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY FOR REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS WHO VIOLATE THE STATUTE; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-405, RELATING TO SECOND DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM PENALTY TO THREE YEARS' IMPRISONMENT AND PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY FOR REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS WHO VIOLATE THE STATUTE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-410, RELATING TO THIRD DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, SO AS TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF IMAGES POSSESSED, INCLUDING A PENALTY OF UP TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE ONE TO TWENTY-FIVE IMAGES, ONE TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE TWENTY-SIX TO TWO HUNDRED FIFTY IMAGES, AND A PENALTY OF TWO TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY IMAGES; AND TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM PENALTY OF FIVE YEARS FOR A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER WHO VIOLATES THE STATUTE - RATIFIED TITLE
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06/02/2026
South Carolina Legislature
Act No. 189
06/02/2026
South Carolina Legislature
Effective date 05/18/26
05/18/2026
South Carolina Legislature
Signed By Governor
05/14/2026
South Carolina Legislature
Ratified R 204
05/13/2026
Senate
Concurred in House amendment and enrolled
05/13/2026
House
Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-0
05/13/2026
House
Returned to Senate with amendments
05/13/2026
House
Senate amendment amended
05/07/2026
Senate
Read third time and returned to House with amendments
05/06/2026
Senate
Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-0
05/06/2026
Senate
Read second time
05/06/2026
Senate
Amended
04/29/2026
Senate
Recalled from Committee on Judiciary
04/01/2026
Senate
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
04/01/2026
Senate
Introduced and read first time
04/01/2026
House
Read third time and sent to Senate
03/31/2026
House
Roll call Yeas-109 Nays-0
03/31/2026
House
Read second time
03/31/2026
House
Amended
03/31/2026
House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Bowers, Ligon, Chapman, B.Newton, W.Newton, Forrest, Oremus, Gibson
03/26/2026
House
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
03/25/2026
House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Lastinger, C.Mitchell, Yow, Guffey
02/05/2026
House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Govan
01/28/2026
House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Cromer, Edgerton, Burns, Beach, Morgan, Terribile, Pace, Kilmartin, Gilreath, Magnuson, Frank, McCravy, Hartz, D.Mitchell, Haddon, Willis, Wickensimer, Vaughan, Pedalino, Chumley
01/20/2026
House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: White
01/13/2026
House
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
01/13/2026
House
Introduced and read first time
12/16/2025
House
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
12/16/2025
House
Prefiled
Sources
Record Created
Dec 18, 2025 10:04:22 AM
Record Updated
Jun 2, 2026 3:04:34 PM