All Roll Calls
Yes: 849 • No: 356
South CarolinaH 4756126th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA STUDENT PHYSICAL PRIVACY ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 23, TITLE 59 SO AS TO PROVIDE VARIOUS MEASURES TO PROMOTE AND ENSURE PRIVACY AMONG SEXES USING CERTAIN FACILITIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
Sponsored By: Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Schools and colleges face 25% holdback
If a school district breaks this law, the State Board of Education directs the Department of Education to withhold 25% of state operating funds until the district complies. If a public college breaks this law, the Commission on Higher Education withholds 25% of state operating funds until it complies. This enforcement begins May 15, 2026.
Restroom rules by sex and single-user options
The law sets restroom, locker room, and similar spaces by sex in all public schools and colleges. Multi-stall rooms must be for one sex at a time, and people may not enter rooms set for the other sex. Schools must offer at least one single-user restroom or a similar accommodation, and give separate private areas where people may be undressed. There are exceptions for maintenance when empty, certain coaching when no one is undressed, medical help, and emergencies. Schools may provide family or single-occupancy rooms, may change a room’s sex designation when needed, and may make rules to help disabled people, elderly people, and young children. These rules take effect May 15, 2026.
Right to sue schools for violations
You can sue a public school or college that lets the opposite sex use your sex-designated restroom or changing area, or that fails to post signs or take reasonable steps to stop it. You can also sue if you are forced to share sleeping quarters with the opposite sex. You must file within two years. If you win, you can recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. This takes effect May 15, 2026.
Same-sex housing and trip lodging rules
On school or college trips with shared overnight lodging, students cannot be required to share sleeping rooms or multi-stall restrooms or changing areas with the opposite sex. Family members are an exception. Public colleges that offer housing must let students choose housing only with people of the same sex. These rules take effect May 15, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brandon Newton
Republican • House
William H. Bailey
Republican • House
Nathan Ballentine
Republican • House
Phillip Bowers
Republican • House
Gary S. Brewer, Jr.
Republican • House
T. Case Brittain, Jr.
Republican • House
Joseph M. "Joe" Bustos
Republican • House
Cody T. Mitchell
Republican • House
Micajah P. "Micah" Caskey IV
Republican • House
Donald G. "Don" Chapman
Republican • House
William M. "Bill" Chumley
Republican • House
Heather Ammons Crawford
Republican • House
April Cromer
Republican • House
Dianne Mitchell
Republican • House
Sylleste H. Davis
Republican • House
Adam L. Duncan
Republican • House
Sarita L. Edgerton
Republican • House
Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr.
Republican • House
G. Murrell Smith, Jr.
Republican • House
Craig A. Gagnon
Republican • House
Gil Gatch
Republican • House
Daniel Gibson
Republican • House
Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam
Republican • House
Thomas Lee Gilreath
Republican • House
Thomas Duval "Val" Guest, Jr.
Republican • House
Brandon Guffey
Republican • House
Kevin Hardee
Republican • House
Charles V. Hartz
Republican • House
William G. "Bill" Herbkersman
Republican • House
Lee Hewitt
Republican • House
David R. Hiott
Republican • House
William M. "Bill" Hixon
Republican • House
Harriet A. Holman
Republican • House
William C. "Chris" Huff
Republican • House
Jeffrey E. "Jeff" Johnson
Republican • House
Kathy Landing
Republican • House
John T. Lastinger, Jr.
Republican • House
M. Brian Lawson
Republican • House
Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon
Republican • House
Steven Wayne Long
Republican • House
Phillip D. Lowe
Republican • House
Marvin "Mark" Smith
Republican • House
Josiah Magnuson
Republican • House
David Martin
Republican • House
Donald Ryan McCabe, Jr.
Republican • House
John R. McCravy III
Republican • House
Timothy A. "Tim" McGinnis
Republican • House
Melissa Lackey Oremus
Republican • House
Fawn M. Pedalino
Republican • House
Luke S. Rankin
Republican • House
Robby Robbins
Republican • House
Richard Blake Sanders
Republican • House
Carla M. Schuessler
Republican • House
Heath Sessions
Republican • House
Travis A. Moore
Republican • House
Bill Taylor
Republican • House
James E. Teeple
Republican • House
Jackie R. Terribile
Republican • House
David Vaughan
Republican • House
Wm. Weston J. Newton
Republican • House
Joseph S. "Joe" White
Republican • House
William R. "Bill" Whitmire
Republican • House
Paul B. Wickensimer
Republican • House
Mark N. Willis
Republican • House
Chris Wooten
Republican • House
Richard L. "Richie" Yow
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/15/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 77 • No: 31
Senate vote • 3/26/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)3rd Reading
Yes: 33 • No: 2
Senate vote • 3/25/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)2nd Reading
Yes: 35 • No: 2
House vote • 1/29/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)Passage of Bill
Yes: 96 • No: 19
House vote • 1/28/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)Table Amendment 3 Amendment number 3
Yes: 86 • No: 30
House vote • 1/28/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)Table Amendment 2 Amendment number 2
Yes: 80 • No: 31
House vote • 1/28/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)Table Amendment 6 Amendment number 6
Yes: 85 • No: 30
House vote • 1/28/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)Table Amendment 27 Amendment number 27
Yes: 82 • No: 30
House vote • 1/28/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)Table Amendment 28 Amendment number 28
Yes: 80 • No: 30
House vote • 1/28/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)Table Amendment 5 Amendment number 5
Yes: 85 • No: 32
House vote • 1/28/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)Adjourn For The Day
Yes: 27 • No: 87
House vote • 1/28/2026
(South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act)Cloture
Yes: 83 • No: 32
Actions Timeline
Act No. 152
5/26/2026legislatureEffective date 05/15/26
5/26/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/15/2026GovernorRatified R 202
5/14/2026legislatureRoll call Yeas-77 Nays-31
4/15/2026HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
4/15/2026HouseScrivener's error corrected
4/1/2026legislatureDebate adjourned until Tues., 4-14-26
4/1/2026HouseRoll call Ayes-33 Nays-2
3/26/2026SenateRead third time and returned to House with amendments
3/26/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-35 Nays-2
3/25/2026SenateRead second time
3/25/2026SenateAmended
3/25/2026SenateCommittee Amendment Adopted
3/25/2026SenateSpecial order, set for March 24, 2026
3/24/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education
3/17/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Education
2/4/2026SenateIntroduced and read first time
2/4/2026SenateScrivener's error corrected
2/3/2026legislatureRead third time and sent to Senate
2/3/2026HouseRoll call Yeas-96 Nays-19
1/29/2026HouseRead second time
1/29/2026HouseAmended
1/29/2026HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Bowers
1/28/2026HouseRequests for debate-Rep
1/28/2026House
Bill Text
Introduced
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