Drug Induced Homicide
Do you support it?
Want to know if it passes?
We'll email you when S 183 moves — a committee vote, a floor vote, or a signature. Nothing else.
Free forever · unsubscribe in one click.
Your answer was recorded either way.
Which district are you in?
Your ZIP is all we need to match you to your own representatives — so we can tell you how they voted on S 183.
You're tracking S 183
We'll email you the moment it moves.
S 183 — Drug Induced Homicide
Last action — Referred to Committee on Judiciary
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
-
✓Introduced
-
✓In Committee
-
3Passed Senate
-
4Passed House
-
5To Executive
-
6Enacted
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 14, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
-
Passed Senate
Current position in the legislative process.
-
9 sponsors
9 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
-
Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
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 BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-80 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-1-10, RELATING TO THE EXEMPTION FROM THE CATEGORIZATION OF FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS, SO AS TO INCLUDE DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
11 added · 44 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendment to Bill S 183 introduces a specific penalty for the crime of drug-induced homicide in South Carolina. It now clearly defines that if someone unlawfully provides a controlled substance to another person, and that action leads to the death of that person, they can be charged with drug-induced homicide. This change matters because it aims to hold individuals accountable for their role in drug-related deaths, potentially helping to deter illegal drug distribution and enhance public safety.
2025-2026 Bill 183 Text of Previous Version (Feb.(Jan.
19,14, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 183Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter Committee ReportA Februarybill 19, 2025TO AMEND S.THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-80 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY;
183 Introduced by Senators Adams, Fernandez, Alexander, Garrett, Leber and Kimbrell S.
Printed 2/19/25--S.
Read the first time January 14, 2025 ________ The committee on Senate Judiciary To whom was referred a Bill (S.
183) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 16-3-80 so as to create the offense of drug-induced homicide and to provide a penalty, etc., respectfully Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 16-3-80(A) and inserting:
(A) A person who, in exchange for anything of value, knowingly and unlawfully delivers, dispenses, or otherwise provides a controlled substance to another person in violation of the provisions of Section 44-53-370 or 44-53-375 commits the felony offense of drug-induced homicide if the proximate cause of the death of any other person is the injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion of any amount of the controlled substance.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
LUKE RANKIN for Committee.
_______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-80 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY;
----XX---- This web page was last updated on FebruaryJanuary 19,14, 2025 at 05:2412:33 PM
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
The bill creates a new offense of drug-induced homicide and establishes corresponding penalties and legal protections regarding drug overdose situations.
-
Section 16-1-10
Section 16-3-65. Drug-induced homicide.
Adds the offense of drug-induced homicide to the list of offenses under felony and misdemeanor categorization.
-
Chapter 3, Title 16
Section 16-3-65. (A) A person who knowingly sells, manufactures, cultivates, delivers, purchases or brings into this State, or who provides financial assistance for the purpose of unlawful drug activity or otherwise directs the sale, manufacture, cultivation, delivery, or purchase of a controlled substance in violation of the provisions of Section 44-53-370 or 44-53-375 commits the felony offense of drug-induced homicide if the proximate cause of the death of any other person is the injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion of any amount of the controlled substance.
Defines drug-induced homicide and specifies the activities that constitute this offense.
-
Chapter 3, Title 16
Section 16-3-65. (B) A person convicted of drug-induced homicide pursuant to the provisions of this section must be imprisoned not more than thirty years.
Establishes a penalty of up to thirty years imprisonment for drug-induced homicide.
-
Chapter 3, Title 16
Section 16-3-65. (C) It is not a defense pursuant to this section that a decedent contributed to his own death by his purposeful, knowing, reckless, or negligent injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion of the controlled substance or by his consenting to the administration of the controlled substance by another person, unless there exists clear and convincing evidence that the decedent intended to commit suicide.
Clarifies that a victim's drug use cannot be used as a defense against charges of drug-induced homicide.
-
Chapter 3, Title 16
Section 16-3-65. (D) A person who knowingly injects, inhales, absorbs, or ingests any amount of a controlled substance along with a consenting person, which is the proximate cause of the death of the consenting person, shall not be prosecuted under this section.
Exempts individuals from prosecution for drug-induced homicide if death occurs while using drugs with a consenting individual.
-
Chapter 1, Title 15
Section 15-1-315. Any person, who in good faith gratuitously renders emergency care at the scene of a drug overdose to the victim thereof, shall not be liable for any civil damages for any personal injury as a result of any act or omission by such person in rendering the care or as a result of any act or failure to act to provide or arrange for further medical treatment or care for the person experiencing an overdose, except acts or omissions amounting to gross negligence or wilful or wanton misconduct.
Protects individuals from civil liability when providing emergency assistance during a drug overdose.
-
Section 44-53-1920
Section 44-53-1920. (A) A person who seeks medical assistance for another person who appears to be experiencing a drug or alcohol-related overdose may not be prosecuted for any of the offenses listed in subsection (B), if the evidence for prosecution was obtained as a result of the person seeking medical assistance for the apparent overdose on the premises or immediately after seeking medical assistance ... (10) drug-induced homicide in violation of Section 16-3-65.
Grants immunity from prosecution for various offenses, including drug-induced homicide, to those who seek medical assistance for overdose victims.
Action History
-
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
-
Introduced and read first time
-
Roll call Ayes-41 Nays-0
-
Read third time and sent to House
-
Amended
-
Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
-
Read second time
-
Amended
-
Committee Amendment Adopted
-
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
-
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
-
Introduced and read first time
Sponsors
- Senator Brian Adams · Primary
- Senator Tom Fernandez · Primary
- Senator Thomas C. Alexander · Primary
- Senator Billy Garrett · Primary
- Senator Matthew W. "Matt" Leber · Primary
- Senator Josh Kimbrell · Primary
- Senator Overture Walker · Primary
- Senator Everett Stubbs · Primary
- Senator Margie Bright Matthews · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →9 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 161 not signed on
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (161)
161 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 161 →"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 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Total | 41 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 89% | 0% | 0% | 11% |
How each member voted (46)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 43 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 43 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 93% | 0% | 0% | 7% |
How each member voted (46)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 183 do?
- A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-80 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-1-10, RELATING TO THE EXEMPTION FROM THE CATEGORIZATION OF FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS, SO AS TO INCLUDE DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE.
- Who sponsors S 183?
- S 183 is sponsored by Senator Brian Adams, Senator Tom Fernandez, Senator Thomas C. Alexander, Senator Billy Garrett, Senator Matthew W. "Matt" Leber, Senator Josh Kimbrell, Senator Overture Walker, Senator Everett Stubbs, and Senator Margie Bright Matthews.
- What is the current status of S 183?
- This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 14, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
- Where can I track S 183?
- Track S 183 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
Make your voice heard on S 183
Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.
Stay ahead of S 183
Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously
One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.
Track this bill →