Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, penalties
Introduced
Moved
Reached a final decision
Became law
Derived from the official record below.
Officially: “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;” Read the full text
126th session (2025-2026)
What it does
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 O
From the official legislative record, shown verbatim. Not legal advice.
Where it is
Show all 29 actions
Prefiled · Dec 16, 2025
House
Referred to Committee on Judiciary · Dec 16, 2025
House
Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 95) · Jan 13, 2026
House
Referred to Committee on Judiciary (House Journal-page 95) · Jan 13, 2026
House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: White · Jan 20, 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 · Jan 28, 2026
House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Govan · Feb 5, 2026
House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Lastinger, C.Mitchell, Yow, Guffey · Mar 25, 2026
House
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary (House Journal-page 4) · Mar 26, 2026
House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Bowers, Ligon, Chapman, B.Newton, W.Newton, Forrest, Oremus, Gibson · Mar 31, 2026
House
Amended (House Journal-page 259) · Mar 31, 2026
House
Read second time (House Journal-page 259) · Mar 31, 2026
House
Roll call Yeas-109 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 262) · Mar 31, 2026
House
Read third time and sent to Senate (House Journal-page 17) · Apr 1, 2026
House
Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 19) · Apr 1, 2026
Senate
Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 19) · Apr 1, 2026
Senate
Recalled from Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 6) · Apr 29, 2026
Senate
Amended (Senate Journal-page 96) · May 6, 2026
Senate
Read second time (Senate Journal-page 96) · May 6, 2026
Senate
Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 96) · May 6, 2026
Senate
Read third time and returned to House with amendments (Senate Journal-page 18) · May 7, 2026
Senate
Senate amendment amended (House Journal-page 174) · May 13, 2026
House
Returned to Senate with amendments (House Journal-page 174) · May 13, 2026
House
Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 179) · May 13, 2026
House
Concurred in House amendment and enrolled (Senate Journal-page 40) · May 13, 2026
Senate
Ratified R 204 · May 14, 2026
Signed By Governor · May 18, 2026
Effective date 05/18/26 · Jun 2, 2026
Act No. 189 · Jun 2, 2026
The numbers
36
sponsors on the bill
Sponsors
T. MoorePopeWhiteCromerEdgertonBurnsBeachMorganTerribilePaceKilmartinGilreathMagnusonFrankMcCravyHartzD. MitchellHaddonWillisVaughanPedalinoChumleyGovanWickensimerLastingerC. MitchellYowGuffeyBowersLigonChapmanB. NewtonW. NewtonForrestOremusGibson
Recorded votes
Adopt Amendment 1A Amendment number 1aHouse · 2026-05-13 · Passed · Yeas 111, Nays 0, Excused Absence 4, Not Voting 9
2nd ReadingSenate · 2026-05-06 · Passed · Ayes 42, Nays 0, Excused Absence 1
Passage of BillHouse · 2026-03-31 · Passed · Yeas 109, Nays 0, Excused Absence 6, Not Voting 9
Roll-call results shown verbatim from the South Carolina legislature’s records. A result reflects that roll call’s own motion, not the bill’s overall outcome.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Act No. 189 (Jun 2, 2026).