As the 2025 session of the South Carolina General Assembly came to a close, public safety remained at the forefront of legislative action. Dozens of crime-related bills were introduced, debated, and, in several cases, passed—marking significant progress in protecting our communities and giving law enforcement new tools to do the job safely and effectively. But even as we acknowledge key wins, much work remains, especially on the issues championed by the South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police.
The FOP is Law Enforcement’s Voice at the Statehouse
Key Public Safety Legislation Passed This Session
Organized Retail Crime Crackdown
Lawmakers responded decisively to the rise of organized retail theft by passing H.3523, which targets theft rings that steal goods to resell for profit. The law establishes severe penalties—including up to 20 years in prison—for individuals who conspire to commit large-scale theft, especially when property damage or injuries are involved. The law took effect on March 7.
Fentanyl-Induced Homicide
Passed on the final day of session, S.156 creates a felony offense for distributing fentanyl that results in a death. Dealers can face up to 30 years in prison. This bill ensures that accountability extends to those who knowingly put deadly substances on the street. It awaits the governor’s signature.
Failure to Stop for Blue Lights
H.3127 raises the stakes for failing to stop for law enforcement. The new penalties eliminate the mandatory minimum for a first offense but increase consequences for high-speed pursuits, repeat violations, and cases involving injury or death. The law will take effect one year after the governor signs it.
Combatting Morphed and AI-Generated Child Exploitation
With the passage of S.29, South Carolina becomes the 39th state to outlaw AI-generated child sexual abuse material. The bill updates state law to include deepfakes and morphed images in the definition of child exploitation, helping protect children from new and evolving threats online.
Revenge Porn Now a Crime in South Carolina
With H.3058, South Carolina will finally join every other state in criminalizing the distribution of intimate images without consent. The bill enhances protections beyond last year’s sextortion law and is awaiting the governor’s signature.
Faster Investigations Into Child Sexual Abuse
S.74 gives the Attorney General more authority to subpoena internet service providers directly when cyber tips point to child exploitation. This change will help law enforcement move faster to identify and stop predators. The bill is now on the governor’s desk.
Additional Bills Awaiting Signature or Recently Enacted
- S.126: Law Enforcement & Judicial Personal Privacy Protection – Signed into law. Effective January 26, 2026.
- S.127: Catawba Nation Public Safety Support – Awaiting ratification.
- S.136: Dismissal of Certain Gun Possession Charges – Enrolled after unanimous House approval.
- H.3276: SC Hands-Free Act – Enrolled after concurrence in Senate amendments.
SCFOP’s Legislative Priorities: Where We Stand
While we applaud progress made, our legislative fight continues. The South Carolina FOP is committed to advancing several critical initiatives—many of which are still under consideration. Here is where each stands:
Protecting Law Enforcement K9s
We continue to advocate for the passage of Fargo’s and Hyco’s Law, which would enhance penalties for harming police K9s—officers who serve with distinction and bravery.
HALO Act: 25-Foot Safety Buffer for Officers
This bill would create a buffer zone around officers to prevent interference during critical incidents—protecting both law enforcement and the public.
Return-to-Work Legislation
To help alleviate the staffing crisis in law enforcement, we are pushing for laws that allow retirees to return to work without penalty.
Pension Reform Opposition
We oppose any shift away from our current defined benefit pension system, which includes critical disability protections for law enforcement officers. These protections are essential to recruitment, retention, and long-term stability in our profession.
Retiree COLA Increases & Tax Relief
We continue to fight for cost-of-living adjustments and tax exemptions for our retired officers.
- S.64, H.3416 – Retirement tax relief
- H.3410 – Property tax exemption for former first responders
- H.4175 – Tax exemption for law enforcement wages
Mandatory Cardiac Screenings
The health and safety of our officers are non-negotiable. We support legislation mandating cardiac wellness exams for first responders.
- H.4399 – In House Judiciary
Non-Fatal Strangulation Law
South Carolina must not remain the last state without a law addressing non-fatal strangulation—a dangerous, often fatal form of assault.
Recognizing Law Enforcement
In a strong bipartisan show of support, the General Assembly adopted the following resolutions:
- S.542 and H.4314 – Declaring May 11–17, 2025, as Police Week in South Carolina
- H.3003 – Naming a portion of Highway 29 “Officer Matthew Logan Hare Memorial Avenue”
Stay Engaged—Your Voice Matters
The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police remains unwavering in our mission to advocate for the needs of law enforcement. This session brought meaningful progress, but we cannot afford to let momentum fade. Every phone call, every conversation with a legislator, every email to your representative helps move our priorities forward.
We urge all members to remain engaged as we head into the second year of the legislative cycle. Together, we will protect the profession, improve working conditions, and ensure the safety of officers and the communities we serve.
