South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee

H 4644 — Paternity

Last action — Referred to Committee on Judiciary

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

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced December 16, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

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

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · 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.

  • 2 sponsors

    2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

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Summary

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 63-17-80 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CHILD SUPPORT AND THE CREATION OF A PARENTING PLAN AND TIME-SHARING SCHEDULE FOR A CHILD OF UNMARRIED PARENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-17-10, RELATING TO PATERNITY ACTIONS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 63-5-30, RELATING TO RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PARENTS OF MINOR CHILDREN, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN UNMARRIED MOTHER AND A FATHER WHO HAS ESTABLISHED PATERNITY ARE THE NATURAL GUARDIANS OF THE CHILD.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

59 added · 7 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill H 4644 introduces new provisions regarding child support and parenting arrangements for children of unmarried parents in South Carolina. It establishes a clearer framework for determining parental responsibilities, including the creation of a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule. This update aims to ensure that both parents have defined roles and responsibilities, which is crucial for the welfare of the child and helps reduce confusion and disputes between parents. Overall, these changes are intended to provide better support for families navigating these situations.

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2025-2026 Bill 4644 Text of Previous Version (Dec.
17, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 4644Indicates 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 63-17-80 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CHILD SUPPORT AND THE CREATION OF A PARENTING PLAN AND TIME-SHARING SCHEDULE FOR A CHILD OF UNMARRIED PARENTS;
BY AMENDING SECTION 63-17-10, RELATING TO PATERNITY ACTIONS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES;
AND  TO AMEND SECTION 63-5-30, RELATING TO RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PARENTS OF MINOR CHILDREN, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN UNMARRIED MOTHER AND A FATHER WHO HAS ESTABLISHED PATERNITY ARE THE NATURAL GUARDIANS OF THE CHILD.
  Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
  SECTION 1.  Article 1, Chapter 17, Title 63 of the S.C.
Code is amended by adding:
      Section 63-17-80.  Regardless of how paternity is established under the provisions of this article, the determination of parental responsibility and child support and the creation of a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule must be established in an action brought pursuant to Section 63-17-10(D).
This section may not be construed to prevent the Department of Social Services from establishing child support by an administrative order pursuant to Section 63-17-710.
  SECTION 2.  Section 63-17-10(D) of the S.C.
Code is amended to read:
      (D) If an action is brought under this article prior to the birth of a child, all proceedings must be stayed until after the birth of the child except the service of a summons and the taking of depositions or other discovery procedures.
After the birth of the child, a parent may request a determination of parental responsibility and child support and for the creation of a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule pursuant to Chapter 15, Title 63.
  SECTION 3.  Section 63-5-30 of the S.C.
Code is amended to read:
      Section 63-5-30.
(A) The mother and father are the joint natural guardians of their minor children and are equally charged with the welfare and education of their minor children and the care and management of the estates of their minor children;  and the mother and father have equal power, rights, and duties, and neither parent has any right paramount to the right of the other concerning the custody of the minor or the control of the services or the earnings of the minor or any other matter affecting the minor.
Each parent, whether the custodial or noncustodial parent of the child, has equal access and the same right to obtain all educational records and medical records of their minor children and the right to participate in their children's school activities unless prohibited by order of the court.
Neither parent shall forcibly take a child from the guardianship of the parent legally entitled to custody of the child.
    (B) The mother of a child born out of wedlock and a father who has established paternity pursuant to Chapter 17, Title 63, are the natural guardians of the child and are entitled and subject to the rights and responsibilities of parents.
If a father has not established paternity pursuant to Chapter 17, Title 63, the mother of a child born out of wedlock is the natural guardian of the child and is entitled to primary residential care and custody of the child unless the court enters an order stating otherwise.
  SECTION 4.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on December 17, 2025 at 01:07 PM
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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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2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 168 not signed on

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (168)

168 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.

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

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Frequently asked questions

What does H 4644 do?
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 63-17-80 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CHILD SUPPORT AND THE CREATION OF A PARENTING PLAN AND TIME-SHARING SCHEDULE FOR A CHILD OF UNMARRIED PARENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-17-10, RELATING TO PATERNITY ACTIONS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 63-5-30, RELATING TO RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PARENTS OF MINOR CHILDREN, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN UNMARRIED MOTHER AND A FATHER WHO HAS ESTABLISHED PATERNITY ARE THE NATURAL GUARDIANS OF THE CHILD.
Who sponsors H 4644?
H 4644 is sponsored by Representative Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope and Representative Sarita L. Edgerton.
What is the current status of H 4644?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced December 16, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track H 4644?
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