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Bill

H 5524

Sex Offenders

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Thomas Beach and 8 co-sponsors

South Carolina prohibits registered sex offenders from entering or loitering in municipal, county, or special district park grounds without explicit permission from the park govern

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Collins
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Bill Summary · H 5524

Summary of Bill H 5524 (2025-2026) – South Carolina

Basic purpose

H 5524 proposes a new prohibition targeting individuals registered as sex offenders. The bill would expressly forbid registered sex offenders from entering, remaining in, or loitering on grounds of municipal, county, or special purpose district parks without explicit permission from the park’s governing authority. Violations would carry penalties as described below.

Key provisions

  • New statute added: Section 23-3-537, within Article 7, Chapter 3, Title 23 of the South Carolina Code.
  • Prohibition scope: Applies to park grounds owned or operated by municipalities, counties, or special purpose districts.
  • Permission requirement: A registered sex offender may be present on park grounds only with express permission from the park’s governing authority.
  • Penalties for violation: A person registered as a sex offender who violates the prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor.
    • Restitution of penalties: Fines between $100 and $500.
    • Possible confinement: Imprisonment for up to 30 days.
  • Effective date: The act becomes effective upon the Governor’s approval.

Who is affected

  • Primary target: Individuals registered as sex offenders under South Carolina law.
  • Affected locations: Municipal parks, county parks, and parks operated by special purpose districts within the state.
  • Enforcement mechanism: Park governing authorities (municipalities, counties, or special districts) would grant or deny permission for a registered sex offender to enter/loiter on park grounds; violations would be prosecuted as misdemeanors.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced and first reading: April 14, 2026.
  • Committee referral: Judiciary Committee.
  • Sponsor and co-sponsors: Main sponsor and a number of co-sponsors listed (Adam Duncan, Lee Gilreath, Thomas Beach, Craig Gagnon, Chris Huff, Don Chapman, April Cromer, Blake Sanders).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Public safety intent: The bill aims to reduce potential opportunities for registered sex offenders to access public park spaces, aligning with safety concerns in communities.
  • Local control dynamics: The “expressed permission” mechanism places authority in park governing bodies, which could reflect varying local policies and practices.
  • Penalty scope: The misdemeanor framing and monetary fines, along with potential short-term imprisonment, set relatively modest penalties but establish formal consequences for noncompliance.
  • Implementation considerations: Enforcement would require park authorities to document permissions and violations; enforcement would depend on patrols, park admission policies, and reporting mechanisms.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (e.g., policymakers, journalists, or the general public) or add a brief comparison to similar laws in other states.

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

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