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Bill

H 3038

Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Bauer and 2 co-sponsors

South Carolina establishes enforceable rights for sexual assault survivors including victim notification, counseling access, and legal protections during criminal proceedings.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3038

Legislative bill overview

H 3038 establishes a formal Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights in South Carolina, codifying specific protections and services that survivors must receive throughout the criminal justice process. The bill outlines rights including victim notification, access to counseling and medical services, protection from certain investigative practices, and participation in legal proceedings.

Why is this important

Sexual assault survivors often face secondary trauma navigating the criminal justice system. Formalizing these protections into law ensures consistent treatment across jurisdictions and creates enforceable standards rather than relying on agency discretion or informal policies. This can improve reporting rates and outcomes for survivors.

Potential points of contention

  • Budgetary impact: Mandating specific services (counseling, medical care, victim advocates) requires funding; opponents may question cost allocation during tight budget cycles
  • Law enforcement scope: Detailed restrictions on investigative techniques or evidence collection practices could face pushback from police departments concerned about operational constraints
  • Implementation consistency: Creating enforceable rights across rural and urban counties with varying resources may prove administratively challenging and uneven in practice

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

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