All Roll Calls
Yes: 151 • No: 0
South CarolinaH 3654126th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-7-1990 AND 63-11-550, BOTH RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF CHILD WELFARE RECORDS AND INFORMATION, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE DISCLOSURE OF CASE RECORDS TO COUNTY AND STATE GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM STAFF AND TO THE STATE CHILD ADVOCATE; AND BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-11-700, 63-11-1340, AND 63-11-1360, RELATING TO CERTAIN DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY, SO AS TO UPDATE REFERENCES TO THE DEPARTMENT AND THESE DIVISIONS.
Sponsored By: Paula Rawl Calhoon (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Child Welfare
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Faster checks for GAL jobs, volunteers
Beginning April 28, 2025, Guardian ad Litem Division staff can certify your background for hiring or volunteering. They can confirm you are not the subject of an indicated report or an affirmative determination. This speeds up hiring and volunteer decisions for GAL roles.
New rules and staff for foster reviews
Beginning April 28, 2025, the Department of Children's Advocacy can make rules for foster care reviews, on the division director’s recommendation. The rules can cover how reports are reviewed, how local review boards meet, and how recommendations are shared, including updates to family court judges. They can also address participation in family court and quick reviews of privately placed children. The Department can hire a division director and staff, funded each year in the state budget.
Staffing and rules for Continuum of Care
Beginning April 28, 2025, the Department of Children's Advocacy can hire a Continuum of Care director and staff. Money for these roles and work comes from the annual state budget. On the director’s recommendation, the Department can set rules and policies to meet the division’s goals. Each year, the division includes its activities and improvement ideas in the Department’s annual report to the Governor and legislature.
Child case records shared with advocates
Beginning April 28, 2025, appointed guardians ad litem and Guardian ad Litem (GAL) programs can share child welfare case reports. Allowed recipients are county GAL staff, the state GAL Division, and the State Child Advocate. Sharing helps oversight and advocacy in your case. It also reduces privacy for families whose records are shared.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Paula Rawl Calhoon
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Beth E. Bernstein
Democrat • House
Tiffany R. Spann-Wilder
Democrat • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
(Child Welfare)2nd Reading
Yes: 41 • No: 0
House vote • 2/25/2025
(Child Welfare)Passage of Bill
Yes: 110 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 8
5/7/2025legislatureEffective date 04/28/25
5/7/2025legislatureSigned By Governor
4/28/2025GovernorRatified R 19
4/24/2025legislatureRead third time and enrolled
4/16/2025SenateRoll call Ayes-41 Nays-0
4/15/2025SenateRead second time
4/15/2025SenateCommittee report: Favorable Family and Veterans' Services
3/26/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Family and Veterans' Services
2/26/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
2/26/2025SenateRead third time and sent to Senate
2/26/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-110 Nays-0
2/25/2025HouseRead second time
2/25/2025HouseCommittee report: Favorable Judiciary
2/19/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary
1/14/2025HouseIntroduced and read first time
1/14/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary
12/12/2024HousePrefiled
12/12/2024House
Bill Text
Introduced
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