South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee

S 57 — Provide Penalties for Hate Crimes

Last action — Referred to Committee on Judiciary

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  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 December 11, 2024. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

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

Prognosis

Stalled 14% · 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.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

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Summary

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-2410; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-11-510, RELATING TO MALICIOUS INJURY TO ANIMALS AND OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY, SO AS TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR MALICIOUS INJURY TO PERSONAL PROPERTY; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-11-520, RELATING TO MALICIOUS INJURY TO A TREE, HOUSE, OUTSIDE FENCE, OR FIXTURE AND TRESPASS UPON REAL PROPERTY, SO AS TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR MALICIOUS INJURY TO REAL PROPERTY AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PENALTIES FOR PERSONS WHO MALICIOUSLY INJURE PERSONAL OR REAL PROPERTY OF ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE INTENT TO ASSAULT, INTIMIDATE, OR THREATEN THAT PERSON.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

98 added · 8 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest revision to Bill S 57 introduces a new section addressing hate crimes, making it a felony to intentionally harm someone based on their race, religion, gender, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. This change includes specific penalties, such as fines between $2,000 and $10,000 and prison time ranging from two to fifteen years. By establishing these clear consequences, the amendment aims to enhance protection against hate-motivated violence and deter such actions in South Carolina.

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2025-2026 Bill 57 Text of Previous Version (Dec.
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11, 2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 57Indicates 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 16-3-2410;
BY AMENDING SECTION 16-11-510, RELATING TO MALICIOUS INJURY TO ANIMALS AND OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY, SO AS TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR MALICIOUS INJURY TO PERSONAL PROPERTY;
AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-11-520, RELATING TO MALICIOUS INJURY TO A TREE, HOUSE, OUTSIDE FENCE, OR FIXTURE AND TRESPASS UPON REAL PROPERTY, SO AS TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR MALICIOUS INJURY TO REAL PROPERTY AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PENALTIES FOR PERSONS WHO MALICIOUSLY INJURE PERSONAL OR REAL PROPERTY OF ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE INTENT TO ASSAULT, INTIMIDATE, OR THREATEN THAT PERSON.
  Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
  SECTION 1.  Chapter 3, Title 16 of the S.C.
Code is amended by adding:
  Article 22   Hate Crimes       Section 16-3-2410.
A person who commits an offense contained in this chapter with the intent to assault, intimidate, or threaten a person because of his race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned not less than two years nor more than fifteen years, or both.
Two thousand dollars of a fine and two years of a sentence imposed pursuant to the provisions of this article may not be suspended.
  SECTION 2.  Section 16-11-510 of the S.C.
Code is amended to read:
      Section 16-11-510.
(A) It is unlawful for a person to wilfully and maliciously cut, shoot, maim, wound, or otherwise injure or destroy any horse, mule, cattle, hog, sheep, goat, or any other kind, class, article, or description of personal property, or the goods and chattels of another.
    (B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:
       (1) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth ten thousand dollars or more;
       (2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth more than two thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars;
       (3) misdemeanor triable in magistrates court or municipal court, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, 22-3-550, and 14-25-65, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth two thousand dollars or less.
Upon conviction, the person must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned, not more than thirty days, or both.
    (C) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) with the intent to assault, intimidate, or threaten a person because of his race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned not less than two years nor more than fifteen years, or both.
Two thousand dollars of a fine and two years of a sentence imposed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may not be suspended.
For purposes of this section, "sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression.
  SECTION 3.  Section 16-11-520 of the S.C.
Code is amended to read:
      Section 16-11-520.
(A) It is unlawful for a person to wilfully and maliciously cut, mutilate, deface, or otherwise injure a tree, house, outside fence, or fixture of another or commit any other trespass upon real property of another.
    (B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:
       (1) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth ten thousand dollars or more;
       (2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth more than two thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars;
       (3) misdemeanor triable in magistrates court or municipal court, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, 22-3-550, and 14-25-65, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth two thousand dollars or less.
Upon conviction, the person must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
    (C) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) with the intent to assault, intimidate, or threaten a person because of his race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned not less than two years nor more than fifteen years, or both.
Two thousand dollars of a fine and two years of a sentence imposed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may not be suspended.
For purposes of this section, "sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression.
  SECTION 4.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on December 11, 2024 at 04:21 PM
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing laws to revise penalties for malicious injury to personal and real property, specifically enhanced penalties for acts committed with intent to assault, intimidate, or threaten based on certain characteristics.

  • Section 16-3-2410

    A person who commits an offense contained in this chapter with the intent to assault, intimidate, or threaten a person because of his race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned not less than two years nor more than fifteen years, or both. Two thousand dollars of a fine and two years of a sentence imposed pursuant to the provisions of this article may not be suspended.

    This section establishes a new felony offense for hate crimes related to property damage.

  • Section 16-11-510

    C) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) with the intent to assault, intimidate, or threaten a person because of his race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned not less than two years nor more than fifteen years, or both. Two thousand dollars of a fine and two years of a sentence imposed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may not be suspended. For purposes of this section, "sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression. → C) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) with the intent to assault, intimidate, or threaten a person because of his race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned not less than two years nor more than fifteen years, or both. Two thousand dollars of a fine and two years of a sentence imposed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may not be suspended. For purposes of this section, "sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression.

    This change revises the existing penalties for malicious property injury to include enhanced penalties for hate-related intent.

  • Section 16-11-520

    C) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) with the intent to assault, intimidate, or threaten a person because of his race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned not less than two years nor more than fifteen years, or both. Two thousand dollars of a fine and two years of a sentence imposed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may not be suspended. For purposes of this section, "sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression. → C) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) with the intent to assault, intimidate, or threaten a person because of his race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned not less than two years nor more than fifteen years, or both. Two thousand dollars of a fine and two years of a sentence imposed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may not be suspended. For purposes of this section, "sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression.

    This change aligns the penalties for malicious injury to real property with those for personal property, imposing greater consequences for hate-related actions.

Action History

  1. Referred to Committee on Judiciary

  2. Introduced and read first time

  3. Referred to Committee on Judiciary

  4. Prefiled

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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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.

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"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.

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Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 57 do?
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-2410; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-11-510, RELATING TO MALICIOUS INJURY TO ANIMALS AND OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY, SO AS TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR MALICIOUS INJURY TO PERSONAL PROPERTY; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-11-520, RELATING TO MALICIOUS INJURY TO A TREE, HOUSE, OUTSIDE FENCE, OR FIXTURE AND TRESPASS UPON REAL PROPERTY, SO AS TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR MALICIOUS INJURY TO REAL PROPERTY AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PENALTIES FOR PERSONS WHO MALICIOUSLY INJURE PERSONAL OR REAL PROPERTY OF ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE INTENT TO ASSAULT, INTIMIDATE, OR THREATEN THAT PERSON.
Who sponsors S 57?
S 57 is sponsored by Senator Karl B. Allen.
What is the current status of S 57?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced December 11, 2024. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track S 57?
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