All Roll Calls
Yes: 493 • No: 0
South CarolinaH 3049126th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "UNIFORM CIVIL REMEDIES FOR UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF INTIMATE IMAGES ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 75, TITLE 15 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, CREATE A CIVIL ACTION FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SUFFERS HARM FROM A PERSON'S INTENTIONAL OR THREATENED DISCLOSURE OF PRIVATE, INTIMATE IMAGES WITHOUT CONSENT, TO PROVIDE FOR THE RECOVERY OF CERTAIN DAMAGES, AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS TO LIABILITY.
Sponsored By: Wm. Weston J. Newton (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Damages and fees for victims who win
If you win, you can get your actual losses (including emotional harm) or up to $10,000 per defendant, whichever is higher. The court can also make the defendant give up any money they made and may award punitive damages. You may get reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. Courts can issue orders to stop further sharing. Judges consider age, how many times it was shared, and how widely it spread when setting statutory damages. The law took effect May 15, 2026.
Filing deadlines and privacy protections
You must file within three years after you discover a disclosure. You have four years from the date of a threat to file a threat claim. If you were under 18 when it happened, the clock starts when you turn 18. You can ask the court to seal filings and protect your identity. The law took effect May 15, 2026.
Right to sue over intimate images
You can sue if someone intentionally shares or threatens to share your private intimate image without your consent. You must be identifiable, and the person knew or recklessly ignored that the image was private and you did not consent. Agreeing to make or earlier share an image does not by itself allow later sharing. You can still have privacy even if the image was made in public when you did not consent to the sexual act or exposure. Being a public figure alone is not a defense. The law took effect May 15, 2026.
Who is not liable for sharing images
Some sharing is not liable under this law. There is no liability for good‑faith sharing to police, for court cases, or for medical care or training. No liability for good‑faith reporting or investigating unlawful or unwelcome conduct, for matters of public concern, or to help the pictured person. Parents or legal guardians are generally not liable for sharing a child’s image, unless it breaks another law or was for sexual arousal, humiliation, or money. Online platforms that follow the named 2025 federal deepfake law are not liable under this article. Courts must read this law consistent with the federal Communications Decency Act. The law took effect May 15, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Wm. Weston J. Newton
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Democrat • House
April Cromer
Republican • House
Steven Wayne Long
Republican • House
Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope
Republican • House
Bill Taylor
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/13/2026
(Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 108 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/6/2026
(Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act)2nd Reading
Yes: 43 • No: 0
House vote • 5/1/2025
(Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act)Passage of Bill
Yes: 114 • No: 0
House vote • 5/1/2025
(Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act)Passage of Bill
Yes: 114 • No: 0
House vote • 5/1/2025
(Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act)Passage of Bill
Yes: 114 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 131
5/26/2026legislatureEffective date See Act for Effective Date
5/26/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/15/2026GovernorRatified R 170
5/14/2026legislatureRoll call Yeas-108 Nays-0
5/13/2026HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
5/13/2026HouseDebate adjourned
5/12/2026HouseRead third time and returned to House with amendments
5/7/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
5/6/2026SenateRead second time
5/6/2026SenateAmended
5/5/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable Judiciary
4/29/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Judiciary
5/6/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
5/6/2025SenateRead third time and sent to Senate
5/2/2025HouseUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
5/1/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-114 Nays-0
5/1/2025HouseRead second time
5/1/2025HouseAmended
5/1/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Cromer
5/1/2025HouseCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
4/30/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary
1/14/2025HouseIntroduced and read first time
1/14/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary
12/5/2024HousePrefiled
12/5/2024House
Bill Text
Introduced
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