H 3608 — Family Court
Last action — Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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✓Introduced
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2In 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 is in committee in the House. Introduced December 12, 2024. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.
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 AMENDING SECTION 63-3-590, RELATING TO CONDUCT OF CERTAIN FAMILY COURT HEARINGS, SO AS TO REQUIRE A JURY TRIAL IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
32 added · 3 removedPlain-language change summary
The latest version of Bill H 3608 introduces a significant amendment to the South Carolina Code, specifically Section 63-3-590, which allows for jury trials in certain family court cases involving children under limited circumstances. Previously, all hearings concerning children were conducted without a jury, prioritizing confidentiality and a focus on the child's best interests. This change is important because it enhances the rights of children and families in specific situations where legal proceedings could severely impact a child's freedom, ensuring a more equitable judicial process.
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12, 2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 3608Indicates 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 AMENDING SECTION 63-3-590, RELATING TO CONDUCT OF CERTAIN FAMILY COURT HEARINGS, SO AS TO REQUIRE A JURY TRIAL IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 63-3-590 of the S.C.
Code is amended to read:
Section 63-3-590. (A) All cases of children must be dealt with as separate hearings by the court and without a jury.
The hearings must be conducted in a formal manner and may be adjourned from time to time.
The general public must be excluded and only persons the judge finds to have a direct interest in the case or in the work of the court may be admitted.
The presence of the child in court may be waived by the court at any stage of the proceedings.
Hearings may be held at any time or place within the county designated by the judge.
In any case where the delinquency proceedings may result in commitment to an institution in which the child's freedom is curtailed, the privilege against self-incrimination and the right of cross-examination must be preserved.
In all cases where required by law, the child must be accorded all rights enjoyed by adults, and where not required by law the child must be accorded adult rights consistent with the best interests of the child.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (A), a hearing in a case involving children to decide a matter that could subject a party or witness to a term of imprisonment must be heard by a court with a jury of six jurors.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on December 12, 2024 at 04:46 PM
Action History
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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 Gil Gatch · 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 H 3608 do?
- A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 63-3-590, RELATING TO CONDUCT OF CERTAIN FAMILY COURT HEARINGS, SO AS TO REQUIRE A JURY TRIAL IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
- Who sponsors H 3608?
- H 3608 is sponsored by Representative Gil Gatch.
- What is the current status of H 3608?
- This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced December 12, 2024. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track H 3608?
- Track H 3608 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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