All Roll Calls
Yes: 368 • No: 0
South CarolinaS 0585126th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN FAMILIES EVERYWHERE (SAFE) ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-115, RELATING TO DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING NOTATIONS ADDED TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE NOTATION "SAFE" MAY BE ADDED TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS TO INDICATE OWNERS OF VEHICLES OR OTHER PERSONS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CERTAIN DISABILITIES, AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-1910, RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "HANDICAPPED" TO INCLUDE PERSONS WHO HAVE AUTISM; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-14950, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES REFLECTIVE OF MILITARY CAMPAIGN MEDALS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF "OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-14970, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF MILITARY SERVICE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF "ARMED FORCES SURVIVING SPOUSE" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.
Sponsored By: Deon T. Tedder (Democrat)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Motor Vehicle Registration
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Autism can qualify for handicap parking
Beginning May 15, 2027, autism can qualify you for a handicap placard or plate. Your autism must cause significant safety or mobility risks in parking areas. The law adds this to the state definition of “handicapped” used for parking benefits. You must meet this risk standard, not just have a diagnosis.
New military and surviving spouse plates
The DMV can issue two new special plates. One is for those who served in Operation Inherent Resolve. The other is for the surviving spouse of a military veteran. These plates are for private passenger vehicles and motorcycles. Each plate becomes available six months after its design is approved.
New SAFE note on car registrations
Beginning May 15, 2027, you can ask the DMV to add a SAFE note to your vehicle registration. You must give an original certificate from a licensed doctor, or an audiologist for hearing loss. For hearing, the certificate must show permanent, uncorrectable loss of 40 decibels or more in one or both ears. The note signals a listed disability such as deafness, autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, blindness, or another limiting disorder. Only law enforcement sees the SAFE note in the DMV system. The DMV does not show your name or diagnosis on the registration. You can add or remove the note any time. A child or ward can have it removed at age 18. The law also protects people from lawsuits when they rely on this DMV information.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Deon T. Tedder
Democrat • Senate
Cosponsors
Brian Adams
Republican • Senate
Tameika Isaac Devine
Democrat • Senate
Ed Sutton
Democrat • Senate
Jeff Zell
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/5/2026
(Motor Vehicle Registration)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 106 • No: 0
House vote • 4/16/2026
(Motor Vehicle Registration)Passage of Bill
Yes: 109 • No: 0
House vote • 4/16/2026
(Motor Vehicle Registration)Passage of Bill
Yes: 109 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/6/2025
(Motor Vehicle Registration)2nd Reading
Yes: 44 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 125
5/26/2026legislatureEffective date See Act for Effective Date
5/26/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/15/2026GovernorRatified R 144
5/14/2026legislatureRoll call Yeas-106 Nays-0
5/5/2026HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
5/5/2026HouseScrivener's error corrected
5/4/2026legislatureReturned to House with amendments
4/29/2026SenateHouse amendment amended
4/29/2026SenateRead third time and returned to Senate with amendments
4/17/2026HouseUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
4/16/2026HouseRoll call Yeas-109 Nays-0
4/16/2026HouseRead second time
4/16/2026HouseAmended
4/16/2026HouseScrivener's error corrected
4/15/2026legislatureCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works
4/14/2026HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works
5/8/2025HouseIntroduced and read first time
5/8/2025HouseRead third time and sent to House
5/7/2025SenateRoll call Ayes-44 Nays-0
5/6/2025SenateRead second time
5/6/2025SenateCommittee report: Favorable Transportation
4/30/2025SenateScrivener's error corrected
4/23/2025legislatureReferred to Committee on Transportation
4/16/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
4/16/2025Senate
Bill Text
Introduced
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