H 4763 — Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act
Last action — Roll call Ayes-33 Nays-6
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has passed the House. Introduced December 16, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Passed House
Current position in the legislative process.
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56 sponsors
56 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).
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Mixed recorded votes
9 passed, 5 failed in recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
In plain language
The bill makes it illegal to harass first responders after a warning.
The HALO Act defines important terms related to first responders and makes it unlawful to harass them after being warned. It aims to protect emergency medical care providers and first responders from obstruction or harm.
What this means for you
- Workers: This means that first responders and emergency medical providers are protected from harassment while performing their duties.
Summary
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "HELPING ALLEVIATE LAWFUL OBSTRUCTION (HALO) ACT"; AND BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1092 SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERMS "EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE PROVIDER", "FIRST RESPONDER", AND "HARASS", TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO APPROACH, IMPEDE, CAUSE HARM TO, OR HARASS A FIRST RESPONDER OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE PROVIDER AFTER RECEIVING A VERBAL WARNING, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
2 added · 65 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendments to Bill H 4763, known as the "Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act," primarily involve the removal of 65 lines from the previous version. While the specific content of these lines isn't detailed here, such omissions typically aim to streamline the bill, reduce complexity, or eliminate provisions deemed unnecessary. These changes matter because they can help clarify the bill’s intent and make it easier for lawmakers and the public to understand its implications for South Carolina's laws.
2025-2026 Bill 4763 Text of Previous Version (Feb.(Dec.
25,17, 2026)2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 4763Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) Committee Report February 25, 2026 H. A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "HELPING ALLEVIATE LAWFUL OBSTRUCTION (HALO) ACT";
4763 Introduced by Reps.
Oremus, Brittain, W.
Newton, Bailey, Bradley, Brewer, Caskey, Crawford, Duncan, Erickson, Forrest, Gagnon, Gatch, Gilliam, Guest, Haddon, Hardee, Hartnett, Hartz, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, J.
E.
Johnson, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Martin, McCravy, C.
Mitchell, B.
Newton, Pedalino, Pope, Robbins, Sanders, Schuessler, Sessions, G.
M.
Smith, M.
M.
Smith, Taylor, Teeple, Vaughan, Whitmire, Willis, Wooten, Yow, Terribile, White, Lastinger and Wickensimer S.
Printed 2/25/26--H.
Read the first time January 13, 2026 ________ The committee on House Judiciary To whom was referred a Bill (H.
4763) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws so as to enact the "Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act";
and by adding Section 16-3-1092 so as to define the, etc., respectfully Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
W.
NEWTON for Committee.
statement of estimated fiscal impact Explanation of Fiscal Impact State Expenditure This bill creates the Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act, which makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly and willfully approach, impede, cause harm to, or harass a first responder or emergency medical care provider engaged in the performance of his official duties after the offender receives a verbal warning.
This offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500 and imprisonment for not more than 60 days.
This bill may increase the number of cases heard in general sessions courts and may therefore increase the workloads for Judicial, the Commission on Prosecution Coordination, and the Commission on Indigent Defense.
However, as this is a new offense, there are no data to estimate the number of additional cases that may be heard by the courts.
Additionally, the potential increase in expenses for each agency will depend upon the increase in the number of cases.
Judicial anticipates that the potential impact of the caseload in court can be managed within existing appropriations.
However, Judicial and these agencies indicate that if this bill results in a significant increase in the workload, then an increase in General Fund appropriations may be requested.
State Revenue This bill may result in a change in the fines and fees collected in court due to the new offense established by this bill.
Court fines and fees are distributed to the General Fund, Other Funds, and local funds.
Therefore, RFA anticipates this bill may result in a change to General Fund and Other Funds revenue due to the change in fines and fees collections in court.
Local Expenditure RFA surveyed South Carolina counties and MASC as to the potential fiscal impact of the bill and received responses from Charleston County, Dorchester County, Florence County, Horry County, and MASC.
MASC reports that since the penalties associated with the newly created offense exceed the threshold of eligibility for municipal court, the bill will have no expenditure impact on municipalities.
Both Florence County and Horry County report that implementation of the bill will result in no expenditure impact.
Charleston County and Dorchester County anticipate this bill may result in an undetermined local expenditure impact, depending upon the increase in the workload for local law enforcement and jails.
Frank A.
Rainwater, Executive Director Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office _______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "HELPING ALLEVIATE LAWFUL OBSTRUCTION (HALO) ACT";
----XX---- This web page was last updated on FebruaryDecember 25,17, 20262025 at 03:1901:45 PM
Action History
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Roll call Ayes-33 Nays-6
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Free conference report received and adopted
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Free conference committee appointed Adams, Kimbrell, Walker
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Free conference powers granted
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Free conference powers rejected
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Roll call Yeas-82 Nays-16
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Free conference powers rejected
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Conference committee appointed Adams, Kimbrell, Walker
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House insists upon amendment and conference committee appointed Reps. Brittain, W Newton, Bernstein
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Roll call Yeas-13 Nays-91
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Non-concurrence in Senate amendment
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Roll call Ayes-44 Nays-0
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Read third time and returned to House with amendments
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Amended
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Roll call Ayes-34 Nays-0
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Read second time
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Amended
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Committee Amendment Adopted
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Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
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Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Introduced and read first time
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Read third time and sent to Senate
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Roll call Yeas-95 Nays-18
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Read second time
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Amended
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Cromer, Gilreath
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Requests for debate-Rep(s). B. Newton, Hewitt, Harris, Martin, T. Moore, Lawson, Duncan, King, Luck, Hosey, Caskey, and Guest
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Gibson
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Atkinson, Chapman
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Committee report: Favorable Judiciary
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Wickensimer
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Lastinger
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: White
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Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Introduced and read first time
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Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Prefiled
Sponsors
- Representative Melissa Lackey Oremus · Primary
- Jr. T. Case Brittain · Primary
- Representative Wm. Weston J. Newton · Primary
- Representative William H. Bailey · Primary
- Representative Jeff Bradley · Primary
- Jr. Representative Gary S. Brewer · Primary
- Representative Micajah P. "Micah" Caskey IV · Primary
- Representative Heather Ammons Crawford · Primary
- Representative Adam L. Duncan · Primary
- Representative Shannon S. Erickson · Primary
- Jr. Representative Cally R. "Cal" Forrest · Primary
- Representative Craig A. Gagnon · Primary
- Representative Gil Gatch · Primary
- Representative Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam · Primary
- Jr. Representative Thomas Duval "Val" Guest · Primary
- Representative Patrick B. Haddon · Primary
- Representative Kevin Hardee · Primary
- Jr. Representative Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett · Primary
- Representative Charles V. Hartz · Primary
- Representative Lee Hewitt · Primary
- Representative David R. Hiott · Primary
- Representative William M. "Bill" Hixon · Primary
- Representative Harriet A. Holman · Primary
- J.E. Johnson · Primary
- Representative M. Brian Lawson · Primary
- Representative Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon · Primary
- Representative Steven Wayne Long · Primary
- Representative Phillip D. Lowe · Primary
- Representative David Martin · Primary
- Representative John R. McCravy III · Primary
- Representative Cody T. Mitchell · Primary
- Representative Brandon Newton · Primary
- Representative Fawn M. Pedalino · Primary
- Representative Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope · Primary
- Representative Robby Robbins · Primary
- Representative Richard Blake Sanders · Primary
- Carla M. Schuessler · Primary
- Representative Heath Sessions · Primary
- Representative Bill Taylor · Primary
- Representative James E. Teeple · Primary
- Representative David Vaughan · Primary
- Representative William R. "Bill" Whitmire · Primary
- Representative Mark N. Willis · Primary
- Representative Chris Wooten · Primary
- Representative Richard L. "Richie" Yow · Primary
- Representative Jackie R. Terribile · Primary
- Representative Joseph S. "Joe" White · Primary
- Representative Paul B. Wickensimer · Primary
- Representative Lucas Atkinson · Primary
- Representative Donald G. "Don" Chapman · Primary
- Representative Daniel Gibson · Primary
- Representative April Cromer · Primary
- Representative Thomas Lee Gilreath · Primary
- Jr. Representative John T. Lastinger · Primary
- Representative Marvin "Mark" Smith · Primary
- Jr. Representative G. Murrell Smith · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →56 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 114 not signed on · 77 voted No
Sponsors (56)
- Representative Melissa Lackey Oremus Voted No
- T. Case Brittain, Jr. Republican
- Representative Wm. Weston J. Newton Voted No
- Representative William H. Bailey Voted No
- Representative Jeff Bradley Voted No
- Representative Gary S. Brewer, Jr. Voted No
- Representative Micajah P. "Micah" Caskey IV Voted No
- Representative Heather Ammons Crawford Voted No
- Representative Adam L. Duncan Voted No
- Representative Shannon S. Erickson Voted No
- Representative Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr. Voted No
- Representative Craig A. Gagnon Voted No
- Representative Gil Gatch Voted No
- Representative Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam Voted No
- Representative Thomas Duval "Val" Guest, Jr. Voted No
- Representative Patrick B. Haddon Voted No
- Representative Kevin Hardee Voted No
- Representative Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr. Voted No
- Representative Charles V. Hartz Voted No
- Representative Lee Hewitt Voted No
- Representative David R. Hiott Voted No
- Representative William M. "Bill" Hixon Voted No
- Representative Harriet A. Holman Voted No
- J.E. Johnson
- Representative M. Brian Lawson Voted No
- Representative Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon Voted No
- Representative Steven Wayne Long Voted No
- Representative Phillip D. Lowe Voted No
- Representative David Martin Voted No
- Representative John R. McCravy III Voted No
- Representative Cody T. Mitchell Voted No
- Representative Brandon Newton Voted No
- Representative Fawn M. Pedalino Voted No
- Representative Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope Voted No
- Representative Robby Robbins Voted No
- Representative Richard Blake Sanders Voted No
- Carla M. Schuessler Republican Voted No
- Representative Heath Sessions
- Representative Bill Taylor Voted No
- Representative James E. Teeple Voted No
- Representative David Vaughan Voted No
- Representative William R. "Bill" Whitmire Voted No
- Representative Mark N. Willis Voted No
- Representative Chris Wooten Voted No
- Representative Richard L. "Richie" Yow Voted No
- Representative Jackie R. Terribile Voted No
- Representative Joseph S. "Joe" White Voted No
- Representative Paul B. Wickensimer Voted No
- Representative Lucas Atkinson Voted No
- Representative Donald G. "Don" Chapman Voted No
- Representative Daniel Gibson Voted No
- Representative April Cromer Voted No
- Representative Thomas Lee Gilreath Voted No
- Representative John T. Lastinger, Jr. Voted No
- Representative Marvin "Mark" Smith
- Representative G. Murrell Smith, Jr.
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (114)
114 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 114 →"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.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 80 | 15 | 0 | 25 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 82 | 16 | 0 | 26 |
| % of votes cast | 66% | 13% | 0% | 21% |
How each member voted (124)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 38 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Total | 38 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 88% | 0% | 0% | 12% |
How each member voted (43)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 29 | 9 | 0 | 5 |
| Total | 29 | 9 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 67% | 21% | 0% | 12% |
How each member voted (43)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 44 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 44 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 96% | 0% | 0% | 4% |
How each member voted (46)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 12 | 88 | 0 | 19 |
| Republican | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 12 | 91 | 0 | 20 |
| % of votes cast | 10% | 74% | 0% | 16% |
How each member voted (123)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 34 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Total | 34 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| % of votes cast | 77% | 0% | 0% | 23% |
How each member voted (44)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 93 | 18 | 0 | 9 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 95 | 18 | 0 | 11 |
| % of votes cast | 77% | 15% | 0% | 9% |
How each member voted (124)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 77 | 31 | 0 | 12 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 79 | 32 | 0 | 13 |
| % of votes cast | 64% | 26% | 0% | 10% |
How each member voted (124)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 73 | 27 | 0 | 19 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 75 | 28 | 0 | 20 |
| % of votes cast | 61% | 23% | 0% | 16% |
How each member voted (123)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 31 | 70 | 0 | 19 |
| Democrat | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 32 | 72 | 0 | 20 |
| % of votes cast | 26% | 58% | 0% | 16% |
How each member voted (124)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 75 | 32 | 0 | 13 |
| Republican | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Democrat | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 76 | 33 | 0 | 15 |
| % of votes cast | 61% | 27% | 0% | 12% |
How each member voted (124)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 81 | 30 | 0 | 9 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 83 | 31 | 0 | 10 |
| % of votes cast | 67% | 25% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (124)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 80 | 27 | 0 | 12 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 82 | 28 | 0 | 13 |
| % of votes cast | 67% | 23% | 0% | 11% |
How each member voted (123)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 24 | 89 | 0 | 7 |
| Democrat | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 25 | 91 | 0 | 8 |
| % of votes cast | 20% | 73% | 0% | 6% |
How each member voted (124)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does H 4763 do?
- A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "HELPING ALLEVIATE LAWFUL OBSTRUCTION (HALO) ACT"; AND BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1092 SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERMS "EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE PROVIDER", "FIRST RESPONDER", AND "HARASS", TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO APPROACH, IMPEDE, CAUSE HARM TO, OR HARASS A FIRST RESPONDER OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE PROVIDER AFTER RECEIVING A VERBAL WARNING, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.
- Who sponsors H 4763?
- H 4763 is sponsored by Representative Melissa Lackey Oremus, T. Case Brittain, Jr. (Republican), Representative Wm. Weston J. Newton, Representative William H. Bailey, Representative Jeff Bradley, Representative Gary S. Brewer, Jr., Representative Micajah P. "Micah" Caskey IV, Representative Heather Ammons Crawford, Representative Adam L. Duncan, Representative Shannon S. Erickson, Representative Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr., Representative Craig A. Gagnon, Representative Gil Gatch, Representative Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam, Representative Thomas Duval "Val" Guest, Jr., Representative Patrick B. Haddon, Representative Kevin Hardee, Representative Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr., Representative Charles V. Hartz, Representative Lee Hewitt, Representative David R. Hiott, Representative William M. "Bill" Hixon, Representative Harriet A. Holman, J.E. Johnson, Representative M. Brian Lawson, Representative Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon, Representative Steven Wayne Long, Representative Phillip D. Lowe, Representative David Martin, Representative John R. McCravy III, Representative Cody T. Mitchell, Representative Brandon Newton, Representative Fawn M. Pedalino, Representative Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope, Representative Robby Robbins, Representative Richard Blake Sanders, Carla M. Schuessler (Republican), Representative Heath Sessions, Representative Bill Taylor, Representative James E. Teeple, Representative David Vaughan, Representative William R. "Bill" Whitmire, Representative Mark N. Willis, Representative Chris Wooten, Representative Richard L. "Richie" Yow, Representative Jackie R. Terribile, Representative Joseph S. "Joe" White, Representative Paul B. Wickensimer, Representative Lucas Atkinson, Representative Donald G. "Don" Chapman, Representative Daniel Gibson, Representative April Cromer, Representative Thomas Lee Gilreath, Representative John T. Lastinger, Jr., Representative Marvin "Mark" Smith, and Representative G. Murrell Smith, Jr..
- What is the current status of H 4763?
- This bill has passed the House. Introduced December 16, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
- Where can I track H 4763?
- Track H 4763 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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