South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee

S 825 — Family Protection Act

Last action — Scrivener's error corrected

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 15, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 24% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 12 sponsors

    12 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "FAMILY PROTECTION ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3632, RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, SO AS TO ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL REFUNDABLE CREDIT; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3380, RELATING TO THE TAX CREDIT FOR CHILD AND DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSES, SO AS TO ALLOW FOR AN ALTERNATIVE CREDIT; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-36-2120, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN ITEMS RELATED TO CHILDBIRTH; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3715 SO AS TO CREATE A TAX CREDIT FOR EMPLOYING CERTAIN NONVIOLENT EX-FELONS; BY ADDING SECTIONS 12-6-3835, 12-6-3840, 12-6-3845, 12-6-3850, 12-6-3855, 12-6-3860, AND 12-6-3865 SO AS TO PROVIDE TAX CREDITS FOR LIVING IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERE ONE ACTIVE DUTY FAMILY MEMBER IS DEPLOYED, FOR VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES, FOR HIRING CERTAIN VETERANS, FOR EMPLOYERS VOLUNTARILY PROVIDING CERTAIN FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, FOR EMPLOYERS PROVIDING CHILDCARE, FOR LIVING OR EMPLOYING PERSONS IN A COUNTY WITH A COMMUNITY JOBS PRIORITY ZONE, AND FOR UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVERS; BY ADDING SECTION 12-4-400 SO AS TO CREATE A SINGLE STATEWIDE WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT PORTAL; BY ADDING SECTION 41-29-320 SO AS TO CREATE THE "WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY GRANT PROGRAM"; BY ADDING SECTION 27-40-795 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN WRITTEN NOTICE REQUIREMENTS IN RENTAL INCREASES; BY ADDING SECTION 6-1-200 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY MAY ESTABLISH A VOLUNTARY RENT STABILITY PROGRAM; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3830 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A STATE TAX CREDIT EQUAL TO THE FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT; BY ADDING SECTION 31-13-100 SO AS TO CREATE THE "COMMUNITY HOUSING GROWTH INCENTIVES FUND"; BY ADDING CHAPTER 36 TO TITLE 1 SO AS ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF FAMILY PROTECTION WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS BY IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, ELIMINATING DUPLICATION, AND MAXIMIZING THE USE OF FEDERAL AND PRIVATE RESOURCES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFICE'S DUTIES AND AUTHORITY, TO CREATE THE FAMILY PROTECTION ADVISORY AND ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AS AN ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE OFFICE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; BY ADDING ARTICLE 9 TO CHAPTER 15, TITLE 2 SO AS TO CREATE THE "JOINT CITIZENS AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY" TO SERVE AS AN ADVISORY BODY TO STUDY PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS AND TO MAKE RELATED RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE STATE EXPENDITURES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMITTEE'S MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES, TO REQUIRE THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STAFF THE COMMITTEE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; BY ADDING SECTION 44-6-42 SO AS TO GIVE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE SUPPLEMENTAL REBATES AND BULK-PURCHASING AGREEMENTS WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, TO ESTABLISH A PREFERRED DRUG LIST, AND TO DEVELOP A STATE PHARMACY CARD FOR UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED RESIDENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-364 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO COORDINATE A PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY; BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 TO CHAPTER 35, TITLE 43 SO AS TO ESTABLISH AN UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVER REGISTRY AND IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, TO ENTITLE ELIGIBLE CAREGIVERS TO CERTAIN FINANCIAL BENEFITS AND SERVICES, TO ESTABLISH A PRIMARY CAREGIVER GRANT FUND AND PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME PRIMARY CAREGIVERS, TO ESTABLISH A CAREGIVER RESPITE SERVICES PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT ON AGING TO OFFER RESPITE CARE FOR CAREGIVERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 41-1-140 SO AS TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS FROM RETALIATING AGAINST EMPLOYEES WHO ARE UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVERS AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE UNPAID LEAVE FOR CAREGIVING EMERGENCIES.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

931 added · 1050 removed

931 line(s) added, 1050 removed.

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21, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 825Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
15, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 825Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
BY AMENDING SECTION 12-36-2120, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN ITEMS RELATED TO CHILDBIRTH;
BY AMENDING SECTION 12-36-2120, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN ITEMS RELATED TO CHILD BIRTH;
    (B) For taxable years beginning after 2025, a taxpayer that is a small employer who voluntarily provides family and medical leave in compliance with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C.
    (B) For taxable years beginning after 2025, a taxpayer that is a small employer who voluntarily provides family and medical leave in compliance with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of (29 U.S.C.
    (D) Notwithstanding the one-thousand-dollar credit amount pursuant to Section 12-6-3830 in tax years 2026 and 2027, the credit shall equal two hundred fifty dollars and five hundred dollars, respectively.
    (D) Notwithstanding the one-thousand-dollar credit amount pursuant to Section 12-6-3830 in tax years and 2027, the credit shall equal two hundred fifty dollars and five hundred dollars, respectively.
  SECTION 9.  Article 7, Chapter 40, Title 27 of the S.C.
  SECTION 9.  Article 7, Chapter 40, Title of the S.C.
Article 25, Chapter 6, Title 12 of the S.C.
Article 25, Chapter 6, Title of the S.C.
Article 1, Chapter 13, Title 31 of the S.C.
Article 1, Chapter 13, Title of the S.C.
Article 3, Chapter 53, Title 44 of the S.C.
Article 3, Chapter 53, Title of the S.C.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 21, 2026 at 02:42 PM
----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 15, 2026 at 11:34 AM
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Action History

  1. Scrivener's error corrected

  2. Referred to Committee on Finance

  3. Introduced and read first time

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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12 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 158 not signed on

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does S 825 do?
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "FAMILY PROTECTION ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3632, RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, SO AS TO ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL REFUNDABLE CREDIT; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3380, RELATING TO THE TAX CREDIT FOR CHILD AND DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSES, SO AS TO ALLOW FOR AN ALTERNATIVE CREDIT; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-36-2120, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN ITEMS RELATED TO CHILDBIRTH; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3715 SO AS TO CREATE A TAX CREDIT FOR EMPLOYING CERTAIN NONVIOLENT EX-FELONS; BY ADDING SECTIONS 12-6-3835, 12-6-3840, 12-6-3845, 12-6-3850, 12-6-3855, 12-6-3860, AND 12-6-3865 SO AS TO PROVIDE TAX CREDITS FOR LIVING IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERE ONE ACTIVE DUTY FAMILY MEMBER IS DEPLOYED, FOR VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES, FOR HIRING CERTAIN VETERANS, FOR EMPLOYERS VOLUNTARILY PROVIDING CERTAIN FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, FOR EMPLOYERS PROVIDING CHILDCARE, FOR LIVING OR EMPLOYING PERSONS IN A COUNTY WITH A COMMUNITY JOBS PRIORITY ZONE, AND FOR UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVERS; BY ADDING SECTION 12-4-400 SO AS TO CREATE A SINGLE STATEWIDE WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT PORTAL; BY ADDING SECTION 41-29-320 SO AS TO CREATE THE "WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY GRANT PROGRAM"; BY ADDING SECTION 27-40-795 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN WRITTEN NOTICE REQUIREMENTS IN RENTAL INCREASES; BY ADDING SECTION 6-1-200 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY MAY ESTABLISH A VOLUNTARY RENT STABILITY PROGRAM; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3830 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A STATE TAX CREDIT EQUAL TO THE FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT; BY ADDING SECTION 31-13-100 SO AS TO CREATE THE "COMMUNITY HOUSING GROWTH INCENTIVES FUND"; BY ADDING CHAPTER 36 TO TITLE 1 SO AS ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF FAMILY PROTECTION WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS BY IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, ELIMINATING DUPLICATION, AND MAXIMIZING THE USE OF FEDERAL AND PRIVATE RESOURCES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFICE'S DUTIES AND AUTHORITY, TO CREATE THE FAMILY PROTECTION ADVISORY AND ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AS AN ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE OFFICE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; BY ADDING ARTICLE 9 TO CHAPTER 15, TITLE 2 SO AS TO CREATE THE "JOINT CITIZENS AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY" TO SERVE AS AN ADVISORY BODY TO STUDY PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS AND TO MAKE RELATED RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE STATE EXPENDITURES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMITTEE'S MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES, TO REQUIRE THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STAFF THE COMMITTEE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; BY ADDING SECTION 44-6-42 SO AS TO GIVE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE SUPPLEMENTAL REBATES AND BULK-PURCHASING AGREEMENTS WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, TO ESTABLISH A PREFERRED DRUG LIST, AND TO DEVELOP A STATE PHARMACY CARD FOR UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED RESIDENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-364 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO COORDINATE A PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY; BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 TO CHAPTER 35, TITLE 43 SO AS TO ESTABLISH AN UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVER REGISTRY AND IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, TO ENTITLE ELIGIBLE CAREGIVERS TO CERTAIN FINANCIAL BENEFITS AND SERVICES, TO ESTABLISH A PRIMARY CAREGIVER GRANT FUND AND PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME PRIMARY CAREGIVERS, TO ESTABLISH A CAREGIVER RESPITE SERVICES PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT ON AGING TO OFFER RESPITE CARE FOR CAREGIVERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 41-1-140 SO AS TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS FROM RETALIATING AGAINST EMPLOYEES WHO ARE UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVERS AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE UNPAID LEAVE FOR CAREGIVING EMERGENCIES.
Who sponsors S 825?
S 825 is sponsored by Senator Brad Hutto, Senator Ronnie A. Sabb, Senator Darrell Jackson, Senator Kent M. Williams, Senator Karl B. Allen, Senator Deon T. Tedder, Senator Jeffrey R. Graham, Senator Russell L. Ott, Senator Ed Sutton, Senator Overture Walker, Senator Margie Bright Matthews, and Senator Tameika Isaac Devine.
What is the current status of S 825?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 15, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track S 825?
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