WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 845

Child Fatality Advisory Committee

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Young

The bill expands and formalizes the State Child Fatality Advisory Committee by adding ex officio members (including coroner, solicitor, and SCCAAE director) and requiring quarterly

Effective date 05/18/26
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 845

Overview

bill S 845 would amend South Carolina law to update the composition and operation of the State Child Fatality Advisory Committee. The changes primarily add new ex officio members, expand who can participate, adjust appointment details, and clarify quorum and meeting requirements. The act takes effect upon the governor’s approval.

Purpose and intent

  • Strengthen and formalize the governance of the State Child Fatality Advisory Committee by:
    • Adding new ex officio members who hold key roles related to child welfare, health, and community advancement.
    • Specifying how members are appointed, who may designate alternates, and term lengths.
    • Clarifying meeting frequency and quorum rules to ensure regular oversight and timely reporting on child fatalities and related services.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 63-11-1930(A) – Composition of the committee:

    • Existing members remain, including high-level state agency heads and advocates (e.g., Director of DSS, Director of DHEC, State Superintendent of Education, heads of relevant offices, State Child Advocate, etc.).
    • New additions:
    • Executive Director of the South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement (SCCAAE) added as an ex officio member.
    • The State Child Advocate remains a member and is listed explicitly among the initial roster.
    • A county coroner or medical examiner is included as an ex officio member (also appears as a separate line in the list, indicating a focus on medical judgments in fatalities).
    • A solicitor is included as an ex officio member.
    • Clarifications mix: positions appear twice in the enumerated list (indicating an adjustment in the exact roster), but the essential effect is to elevate coroner/medical examiner and solicitor to ex officio status and to include SCCAAE’s executive director.
    • The section also lists other members, including:
    • One senator (to be appointed by the President of the Senate)
    • One representative (appointed by the Speaker)
    • An attorney with experience prosecuting crimes against children
    • A board certified or eligible child abuse pediatrician
    • A forensic pathologist
    • Two public members at large (one of whom represents a private nonprofit organization that advocates children’s services)
    • The final line reiterates the inclusion of the State Child Advocate (emphasizing the advocate’s role on the committee).

  • Section 63-11-1930(B) – Appointments and terms:

    • Ex officio members may appoint a designee to serve in their place if they have relevant administrative or program responsibilities for children and family services.
    • The Governor is responsible for appointing the remaining members, including the coroner or medical examiner and the solicitor, who shall serve ex officio for four-year terms and until successors are appointed.
    • Members may succeed themselves, but may not hold over in a manner that extends beyond 180 days past term end.

  • Section 63-11-1930(D) – Meetings and quorum:

    • The committee must meet at least quarterly.
    • A majority of the appointed and duly qualified members constitutes a quorum, with some specified exemptions for the ex officio members listed in subsections (A)(11)(15) and (12)(16) when calculating quorum.

  • Section 4 – Effective date:

    • The act becomes effective upon approval by the Governor.

Who is affected

  • State-level agencies and officials involved in child welfare, health, education, juvenile justice, and public safety (as listed in the roster), including:

    • Department of Social Services
    • Department of Health and Environmental Control
    • State Superintendent of Education
    • Criminal Justice Academy and Law Enforcement Division leadership
    • Office directors for Substance Use Services, Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
    • Department of Juvenile Justice
    • Children’s Trust of South Carolina
    • South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement (new ex officio member)
    • State Child Advocate
    • County coroners or medical examiners
    • Solicit ors
    • Senators, House representatives, pediatricians with child abuse expertise, forensic pathologists
    • Public at large, including a representative from a private nonprofit organization advocating children’s services

  • The bill affects how these roles participate in child fatality evaluation and advisory activities, potentially altering reporting, oversight, and policy recommendations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Appointment process:
    • Ex officio members may designate alternates.
    • Governor appoints remaining members.
  • Term details:
    • Four-year terms for ex officio positions such as coroner/medical examiner and solicitor.
    • Terms can be renewed; however, holdovers cannot exceed 180 days after term end.
  • Meeting cadence:
    • Minimum quarterly meetings required.
  • Quorum:
    • Majority of appointed and duly qualified members constitutes a quorum, with specific exemptions for certain ex officio members when determining attendance.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • More formalized involvement of diverse stakeholders in child fatality reviews, including medical, legal, and community engagement perspectives.
  • Enhanced accountability and continuity through designated alternates and longer fixed terms.
  • Greater emphasis on pediatric forensic and medical expertise in fatality determinations and policy recommendations.
  • Increased coordination across state agencies with a broader set of ex officio participants.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the current statute to highlight every substantive delta.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.