A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "EQUAL PARENTING ACT"; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-3-810, 63-3-820, 63-3-830, 63-3-850, AND 63-3-870, ALL RELATING TO GUARDIANS AD LITEM APPOINTED IN PRIVATE FAMILY COURT ACTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN PROTECTIONS AGAINST GUARDIAN AD LITEM BIAS OR OTHER MISCONDUCT, TO CLARIFY THAT EQUAL PARENTING TIME FOR BOTH PARENTS IS PRESUMED TO BE IN A CHILD'S BEST INTEREST, AND TO ADDRESS THE APPORTIONMENT OF FEES AND COSTS; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-15-210, 63-15-220, 63-15-230, AND 63-15-240, ALL RELATING TO CHILD CUSTODY HEARINGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EQUAL PARENTING TIME IS PRESUMED TO BE IN A CHILD'S BEST INTEREST IN CHILD CUSTODY ACTIONS, THAT PARENTAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE PARENTING TIME OF THE OTHER PARENT IS GROUNDS FOR MODIFICATION OF A CHILD CUSTODY ORDER; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Sponsored By: Gil Gatch (Republican)
Failed
Summary
Equal Parenting Act
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Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Gil Gatch
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Terry Alexander
Democrat • House
Phillip Bowers
Republican • House
Jeff Bradley
Republican • House
Gary S. Brewer, Jr.
Republican • House
James Mikell "Mike" Burns
Republican • House
Micajah P. "Micah" Caskey IV
Republican • House
Sarita L. Edgerton
Republican • House
Shannon S. Erickson
Republican • House
Greg Ford
Republican • House
Craig A. Gagnon
Republican • House
Brandon Guffey
Republican • House
Jermaine L. Johnson, Sr.
Democrat • House
Kathy Landing
Republican • House
John T. Lastinger, Jr.
Republican • House
M. Brian Lawson
Republican • House
Steven Wayne Long
Republican • House
Marvin "Mark" Smith
Republican • House
Josiah Magnuson
Republican • House
David Martin
Republican • House
John R. McCravy III
Republican • House
Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope
Republican • House
Heath Sessions
Republican • House
Bill Taylor
Republican • House
James E. Teeple
Republican • House
David Vaughan
Republican • House
Mark N. Willis
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Alexander
4/29/2026HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Burns
3/31/2026HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Lastinger
2/24/2026HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: J.L.Johnson
2/5/2026HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Bowers, Vaughan
2/3/2026HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Willis, Erickson, Bradley
1/28/2026HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Ford
1/22/2026HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Landing
1/15/2026HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Caskey
1/14/2026HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary
1/13/2026HouseIntroduced and read first time
1/13/2026HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary
12/16/2025HousePrefiled
12/16/2025House
Bill Text
Introduced
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