All Roll Calls
Yes: 359 • No: 4
South CarolinaH 3569126th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 27-40-350 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT RESIDENTIAL TENANTS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF CERTAIN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES MAY TERMINATE A RENTAL AGREEMENT AND TO PROVIDE FOR NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 27-40-210, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS.
Sponsored By: Marvin "Mark" Smith (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Domestic violence in rental properties
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Renters facing abuse can end lease
If you are a renter abused by a co-tenant, you can end your lease. Both you and the abuser must be on the lease. You must give written notice within 60 days and include a restraining order, protection order, or a conviction. Your chosen end date must be at least 30 days after your landlord gets the notice, unless they agree to an earlier date. You pay rent and any damages through the end date, but no early-termination fees. Security deposits are handled at lease end under the lease and state law. Other tenants still owe full rent for the rest of the term. If the abuser is the only tenant left, the landlord can end the lease with five days’ notice. Your landlord cannot force you to move out before the 60-day period or retaliate against you. Effective May 18, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Marvin "Mark" Smith
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Democrat • House
Sylleste H. Davis
Republican • House
Shannon S. Erickson
Republican • House
Wendell G. Gilliard
Democrat • House
Rosalyn D. Henderson-Myers, Ph.D.
Democrat • House
Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope
Republican • House
Michael F. Rivers, Sr.
Democrat • House
Elizabeth "Spencer" Wetmore
Democrat • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/13/2026
(Domestic violence in rental properties)Adopt Amendment 1A Amendment number 1a
Yes: 101 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/12/2026
(Domestic violence in rental properties)3rd Reading
Yes: 42 • No: 4
House vote • 4/8/2025
(Domestic violence in rental properties)Passage of Bill
Yes: 108 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2025
(Domestic violence in rental properties)Passage of Bill
Yes: 108 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 184
6/2/2026legislatureEffective date 05/18/26
6/2/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/18/2026GovernorRatified R 180
5/14/2026legislatureConcurred in House amendment and enrolled
5/13/2026SenateRoll call Yeas-101 Nays-0
5/13/2026HouseReturned to Senate with amendments
5/13/2026HouseSenate amendment amended
5/13/2026HouseRoll call Ayes-42 Nays-4
5/12/2026SenateRead third time and returned to House with amendments
5/12/2026SenateAmended
5/12/2026SenateRead second time
5/7/2026SenateAmended
5/6/2026SenateScrivener's error corrected
5/6/2026legislatureAmended
4/29/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable Judiciary
4/29/2025SenateScrivener's error corrected
4/9/2025legislatureReferred to Committee on Judiciary
4/9/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
4/9/2025SenateRead third time and sent to Senate
4/9/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-108 Nays-0
4/8/2025HouseRead second time
4/8/2025HouseAmended
4/8/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Erickson, Rivers, Gilliard
4/8/2025HouseScrivener's error corrected
4/4/2025legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
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