South Carolina · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill
H 4804: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, penalties
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
H 4804 is a bill introduced in the South Carolina House on December 16, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, penalties. Primary sponsor: Travis Moore (Republican), Tommy Pope (Republican), Joe White (Republican), April Cromer (Republican), Sarita Edgerton (Republican), Mike Burns (Republican), Thomas Beach (Republican), Alan Morgan (Republican), Jackie Terribile (Republican), Jordan Pace (Republican), Jay Kilmartin (Republican), Lee Gilreath (Republican), Josiah Magnuson (Republican), Stephen Frank (Republican), John McCravy (Republican), Charlie Hartz (Republican), Dianne Mitchell (Republican), Patrick Haddon (Republican), Mark Willis (Republican), David Vaughan (Republican), Fawn Pedalino (Republican), Bill Chumley (Republican), Jerry Govan (Democratic), Paul Wickensimer (Republican), John Lastinger (Republican), Cody Mitchell (Republican), Richie Yow (Republican), Brandon Guffey (Republican), Phillip Bowers (Republican), Randy Ligon (Republican), Don Chapman (Republican), Brandon Newton (Republican), Weston Newton (Republican), Cal Forrest (Republican), Melissa Oremus (Republican), Daniel Gibson (Republican). Most recent recorded action (June 2, 2026): Act No. 189.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-395, RELATING TO FIRST DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM PENALTY TO FIVE YEARS' IMPRISONMENT AND PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY FOR REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS WHO VIOLATE THE STATUTE; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-405, RELATING TO SECOND DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM PENALTY TO THREE YEARS' IMPRISONMENT AND PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY FOR REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS WHO VIOLATE THE STATUTE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-410, RELATING TO THIRD DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, SO AS TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF IMAGES POSSESSED, INCLUDING A PENALTY OF UP TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE ONE TO TWENTY-FIVE IMAGES, ONE TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE TWENTY-SIX TO TWO HUNDRED FIFTY IMAGES, AND A PENALTY OF TWO TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY IMAGES; AND TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM PENALTY OF FIVE YEARS FOR A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER WHO VIOLATES THE STATUTE - RATIFIED TITLE
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1 · Republican 35
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Moore | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 33 |
| Tommy Pope | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 47 |
| Joe White | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 40 |
| April Cromer | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 6 |
| Sarita Edgerton | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 34 |
| Mike Burns | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 17 |
| Thomas Beach | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 10 |
| Alan Morgan | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 18 |
| Jackie Terribile | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 66 |
| Jordan Pace | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 117 |
| Jay Kilmartin | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 85 |
| Lee Gilreath | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 7 |
| Josiah Magnuson | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 38 |
| Stephen Frank | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 20 |
| John McCravy | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 13 |
| Charlie Hartz | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 81 |
| Dianne Mitchell | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 21 |
| Patrick Haddon | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 19 |
| Mark Willis | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 16 |
| David Vaughan | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 27 |
| Fawn Pedalino | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 64 |
| Bill Chumley | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 35 |
| Jerry Govan | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 93 |
| Paul Wickensimer | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 22 |
| John Lastinger | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 88 |
| Cody Mitchell | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 65 |
| Richie Yow | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 53 |
| Brandon Guffey | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 48 |
| Phillip Bowers | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 3 |
| Randy Ligon | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 43 |
| Don Chapman | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 8 |
| Brandon Newton | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 45 |
| Weston Newton | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 120 |
| Cal Forrest | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 39 |
| Melissa Oremus | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 84 |
| Daniel Gibson | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 12 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Act No. 189
- Effective date 05/18/26
- Signed By Governor
- Ratified R 204
- Concurred in House amendment and enrolled
- Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-0
- Returned to Senate with amendments
- Senate amendment amended
- Read third time and returned to House with amendments
- Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-0
- Read second time
- Amended
Showing 12 most recent of 29 actions. Full history