S 698 — Military Chaplains
Last action — Referred to Committee on Family and Veterans' Services
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced December 10, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
LowHow often bills like it became law.
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In Committee
Current position in the legislative process.
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1 sponsor
1 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 BY ADDING SECTION 25-1-180 SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CRITERIA FOR MILITARY CHAPLAINS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT MILITARY CHAPLAINS HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO REFUSE TO DISCLOSE CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
44 added · 8 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendment to Bill S 698 introduces specific criteria for military chaplains serving in South Carolina. It mandates that chaplains must be properly ordained and endorsed by recognized military agencies and grants them the right to keep certain communications confidential. This change is significant because it ensures that military personnel can freely share their thoughts and feelings with chaplains without fear that these discussions might be disclosed, fostering a trusting environment for support and counsel.
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10, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 698Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 25-1-180 SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CRITERIA FOR MILITARY CHAPLAINS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT MILITARY CHAPLAINS HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO REFUSE TO DISCLOSE CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 1, Title 25 of the S.C.
Code is amended by adding:
Section 25-1-180. (A) Military chaplains serving in any of the three militia classes, National Guard, organized militia not in National Guard Service, or unorganized militia, shall:
(1) be properly ordained and endorsed for militia service by a recognized military-endorsing agency, as well as any specific qualifications required by any of the three militia classes;
and (2) possess privileged communication with all militia members, authorized dependents, and authorized personnel as defined by each militia class.
The privilege also may be claimed on behalf of the person by the chaplain who received the communication.
(B) Confidential communication is any communication made to a chaplain by an individual possessing the privilege if the communication is made either as a formal act of religion or as a matter of conscience.
A communication is also confidential if it is made to a chaplain in his official capacity as a spiritual advisor.
(C) A person has the privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent others from disclosing a confidential communication by the person who made the communication to a chaplain if the communication is made either as a formal act of religion or as a matter of conscience.
(D) Chaplains may not disclose a confidential communication revealed in the course of their duties without the informed consent of a person who made the communication.
This consent must be given freely and not be compelled and must be specific regarding the information to be disclosed by the chaplain.
(E) Neither a commander nor a court may require a chaplain or individual to disclose a confidential communication when a privilege exists.
However, if a military judge or other presiding official decides that no privilege exists, a chaplain may have an obligation to testify.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on December 10, 2025 at 02:19 PM
Action History
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Referred to Committee on Family and Veterans' Services
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Introduced and read first time
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Referred to Committee on Family and Veterans' Services
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Prefiled
Sponsors
- Senator Stephen L. Goldfinch · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 169 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (169)
169 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 169 →"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.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 698 do?
- A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 25-1-180 SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CRITERIA FOR MILITARY CHAPLAINS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT MILITARY CHAPLAINS HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO REFUSE TO DISCLOSE CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS.
- Who sponsors S 698?
- S 698 is sponsored by Senator Stephen L. Goldfinch.
- What is the current status of S 698?
- This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced December 10, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track S 698?
- Track S 698 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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