Family Protection Act

2025-2026 Bill 825: Family Protection Act - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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S. 825
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senators Hutto, Sabb, Jackson, Williams, Allen, Matthews, Tedder, Devine, Graham, Ott, Sutton and Walker
Document Path: LC-0431SA26.docx
Introduced in the Senate on January 15, 2026
Currently residing in the Senate
Summary: Family Protection Act
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

1/15/2026

Senate

Introduced and read first time (
Senate Journal-page 7
)

1/15/2026

Senate

Referred to Committee on
Finance
(
Senate Journal-page 7
)

1/21/2026

Scrivener's error corrected

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
01/15/2026
01/21/2026

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT
THE "FAMILY PROTECTION ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION
12-6-3632
, RELATING TO THE
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, SO AS TO ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL REFUNDABLE CREDIT; BY
AMENDING SECTION
12-6-3380
, RELATING TO THE TAX CREDIT FOR CHILD AND DEPENDENT
CARE EXPENSES, SO AS TO ALLOW FOR AN ALTERNATIVE CREDIT; BY AMENDING SECTION
12-36-2120
, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN ITEMS
RELATED TO CHILDBIRTH; BY ADDING SECTION
12-6-3715
SO AS TO CREATE A TAX CREDIT
FOR EMPLOYING CERTAIN NONVIOLENT EX-FELONS; BY ADDING SECTIONS
12-6-3835
,
12-6-3840
,
12-6-3845
,
12-6-3850
,
12-6-3855
,
12-6-3860
, AND
12-6-3865
SO AS TO
PROVIDE TAX CREDITS FOR LIVING IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERE ONE ACTIVE DUTY FAMILY
MEMBER IS DEPLOYED, FOR VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES, FOR HIRING CERTAIN
VETERANS, FOR EMPLOYERS VOLUNTARILY PROVIDING CERTAIN FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE,
FOR EMPLOYERS PROVIDING CHILDCARE, FOR LIVING OR EMPLOYING PERSONS IN A COUNTY
WITH A COMMUNITY JOBS PRIORITY ZONE, AND FOR UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVERS; BY
ADDING SECTION
12-4-400
SO AS TO CREATE A SINGLE STATEWIDE WORKING FAMILIES TAX
CREDIT PORTAL; BY ADDING SECTION
41-29-320
SO AS TO CREATE THE "WORKPLACE
FLEXIBILITY GRANT PROGRAM"; BY ADDING SECTION
27-40-795
SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR
CERTAIN WRITTEN NOTICE REQUIREMENTS IN RENTAL INCREASES; BY ADDING SECTION
6-1-200
SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY MAY ESTABLISH A
VOLUNTARY RENT STABILITY PROGRAM; BY ADDING SECTION
12-6-3830
SO AS TO PROVIDE
FOR A STATE TAX CREDIT EQUAL TO THE FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT; BY
ADDING SECTION
31-13-100
SO AS TO CREATE THE "COMMUNITY HOUSING GROWTH
INCENTIVES FUND"; BY ADDING CHAPTER 36 TO TITLE 1 SO AS ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF
FAMILY PROTECTION WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT AND
PROTECT FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS BY IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, ELIMINATING
DUPLICATION, AND MAXIMIZING THE USE OF FEDERAL AND PRIVATE RESOURCES, TO
PROVIDE FOR THE OFFICE'S DUTIES AND AUTHORITY, TO CREATE THE FAMILY PROTECTION
ADVISORY AND ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AS AN ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE OFFICE, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES; BY ADDING ARTICLE 9 TO CHAPTER 15, TITLE 2 SO AS TO CREATE THE "JOINT
CITIZENS AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY" TO SERVE
AS AN ADVISORY BODY TO STUDY PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS AND TO MAKE RELATED
RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE STATE EXPENDITURES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMITTEE'S
MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES, TO REQUIRE THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STAFF THE COMMITTEE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; BY
ADDING SECTION
44-6-42
SO AS TO GIVE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES THE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE SUPPLEMENTAL REBATES AND BULK-PURCHASING
AGREEMENTS WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, TO ESTABLISH A PREFERRED DRUG LIST,
AND TO DEVELOP A STATE PHARMACY CARD FOR UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED RESIDENTS;
BY ADDING SECTION
44-53-364
SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO
COORDINATE A PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACCESS AND
AFFORDABILITY; BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 TO CHAPTER 35, TITLE 43 SO AS TO ESTABLISH
AN UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVER REGISTRY AND IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, TO ENTITLE ELIGIBLE CAREGIVERS TO CERTAIN
FINANCIAL BENEFITS AND SERVICES, TO ESTABLISH A PRIMARY CAREGIVER GRANT FUND
AND PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME PRIMARY CAREGIVERS, TO
ESTABLISH A CAREGIVER RESPITE SERVICES PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT ON AGING
TO OFFER RESPITE CARE FOR CAREGIVERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND BY ADDING
SECTION
41-1-140
SO AS TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS FROM RETALIATING AGAINST EMPLOYEES
WHO ARE UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVERS AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE
UNPAID LEAVE FOR CAREGIVING EMERGENCIES.

B
e it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

S
ECTION 1.
This act may be cited as the "Family Protection Act."

S
ECTION
2.A.
S
ection
12-6-3632
of the S.C. Code is amended
to read:

S
ection
12-6-3632
.
(
A)
There is allowed as a nonrefundable credit against the
tax imposed pursuant to Section
12-6-510
on a full-year resident individual
taxpayer an amount equal to one hundred twenty-five percent of the federal
earned income tax credit (EITC) allowed the taxpayer pursuant to Internal
Revenue Code Section 32.

(
B) In addition to the credit allowed
pursuant to subsection (A), there is allowed as a refundable credit against the
tax imposed pursuant to Section
12-6-510
on a full-year resident individual
taxpayer an amount equal to ten percent of the federal earned income tax credit
(EITC) allowed the taxpayer pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 32, but
not to exceed four hundred dollars. To claim the credit allowed by this
subsection, the taxpayer must have at least one qualifying dependent and an
adjusted gross income of no more than eighty thousand dollars. Each year, for
credits claimed pursuant to this subsection, the department shall issue a
report to the General Assembly detailing the total number of credits claimed,
the average credit amount, and a geographic distribution of where such
taxpayers reside.

B
. (A) Notwithstanding
the four-hundred-dollar-maximum credit allowed pursuant to Section
12-6-3632
(B), in tax year 2026 the maximum credit equals fifty dollars, and in
tax year 2027 the maximum credit equals two hundred dollars.

(
B) The provisions
of Section
12-6-3632
(B) are repealed on January 1, 2031, and no such credits
may be claimed after tax year 2030.

S
ECTION
3.A.
S
ection
12-6-3380
of the S.C. Code is amended
to read:

S
ection
12-6-3380
.
(
A)
An individual may claim an income tax credit for child
and dependent care expenses. The credit is computed as provided in Internal
Revenue Code Section 21, except that the term "applicable percentage" means
seven percent and is not reduced, and only expenses that are directly
attributable to items of South Carolina gross income qualify for the credit.

I
f a nonresident
taxpayer is a resident of a state which does not allow a resident of this State
credit for child and dependent care expenses, the nonresident taxpayer is not
allowed credit on the South Carolina income tax return for child and dependent
care expenses.

(
B)
(
1) A taxpayer with earned income,
excluding a spouse who is a full-time student or incapable of self-care, may
elect to claim an individual income tax credit for child and dependent care
expenses pursuant to this subsection, rather than subsection (A). The credit is
computed as provided in Internal Revenue Code Section 21, except that the term
"applicable percentage" means twenty-five percent if the taxpayer has an
adjusted gross income of no more than eighty thousand dollars and fifteen
percent if the taxpayer has an adjusted gross income of more than eighty
thousand dollars, and is not reduced, and only expenses that are directly
attributable to items of South Carolina gross income qualify for the credit.
However, the credit may not exceed six hundred dollars for each dependent and
may not exceed one thousand two hundred dollars for each return, unless the
dependent requires intensive care in which case the credit may not exceed one
thousand dollars for each dependent requiring intensive care, and may not
exceed two thousand dollars for each dependent regardless of the level of care
required.

(
2) The credit allowed by this
subsection may be carried forward for the next three tax years.

(
3) Each year, for credits claimed
pursuant to this subsection, the department shall issue a report to the General
Assembly detailing the total number of credits claimed, the average credit
amount, and a geographic distribution of where such taxpayers reside.

B
. (A)
Notwithstanding the applicable percentage amounts pursuant to Section
12-6-3380
(B), in tax years 2026 and 2027, the applicable percentage means
twenty percent if the taxpayer has an adjusted gross income of no more than
eighty thousand dollars and twelve percent if the taxpayer has an adjusted
gross income of more than eighty thousand dollars.

(
B) The provisions
of Section
12-6-3380
(B) are repealed on January 1, 2031, and no such credits
may be claimed after tax year 2030.

S
ECTION
4.A.
S
ection
12-36-2120
of the S.C. Code is amended
by adding:

(
85) baby formula, baby food, and
infant nutritional supplements;

(
86)
diapers, baby wipes, and changing pads;

(
87)
breastfeeding equipment, nursing pads, breast pumps, and related accessories;

(
88)
blood pressure cuffs, and prescription prenatal vitamins.

B
. This
SECTION takes effect January 1, 2026.

S
ECTION
5.A.
A
rticle 25, Chapter 6, Title 12 of the S.C.
Code is amended by adding:

S
ection
12-6-3715
.
(
A) As used in this
section:

(
1)
"Nonviolent ex-felon" means an individual who has completed his sentence for a
nonviolent felony and is legally employable.

(
2)
"Qualified employer" means a business that hires a nonviolent ex-felon in a
full-time position, at least thirty hours each week, with a minimum duration of
six months, and that removes criminal history questions from its initial job
applications.

(
B) A
qualified employer is entitled to an income tax credit equal to:

(
1)
seven hundred fifty dollars for each nonviolent ex-felon that it hires, up to
twelve thousand five hundred dollars total in tax year 2026;

(
2)
one thousand one hundred twenty-five dollars for each nonviolent ex-felon that
it hires, up to eighteen thousand seven hundred fifty dollars total in tax year
2027; and

(
3)
one thousand five hundred dollars for each nonviolent ex-felon that it hires,
up to twenty-five thousand dollars total in tax years after 2027.

(
C) A
qualified employer is entitled to an additional five hundred dollars for each
nonviolent ex-felon that is hired within twelve months of his release from
incarceration and an additional five hundred dollars for any employee that
remains employed for the full tax year.

(
D)
The credit is refundable up to fifty percent of the remaining credit for the
income tax year.

(
E) A
qualified employer shall:

(
1)
certify employment and hours worked and employment must be for at least six
months to qualify for the credit;

(
2)
remove criminal history questions from its initial job applications; and

(
3)
submit documentation to the department for verification, including hire date,
release date, and employment duration.

(
F)
The department shall promulgate any regulations necessary to implement the
provisions of this section.

B
. The
provisions of Section
12-6-3715
are repealed on January 1, 2031, and no such
credits may be claimed after tax year 2030.

S
ECTION
6.A.
A
rticle 25, Chapter 6, Title 12 of the S.C.
Code is amended by adding:

S
ection
12-6-3835
.
(
A) As used in this
section:

(
1)
"Active-duty family member" means an individual currently serving on active
duty in the United States Armed Forces.

(
2)
"Qualified household" means a South Carolina resident household with at least
one active-duty family member who is deployed.

(
B)
An individual living in a qualified household is entitled to an income tax
credit equal to two thousand dollars. The credit is refundable up to one
thousand dollars for each tax year. Each qualified household may only receive
one two-thousand-dollar tax credit.

(
C)
An individual in the qualified household shall provide documentation of
deployment. The individual claiming the income tax credit must be a South
Carolina resident.

(
D)
The department may promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this
section.

S
ection
12-6-3840
.
(
A) As used in this
section:

(
1)
"Veteran-owned small business" means a business certified by the South Carolina
Department of Veterans' Affairs or another approved authority as being at least
fifty-one percent owned by a veteran and meeting small business size criteria.

(
2)
"Qualified business" means a South Carolina small business that is veteran-owned
and holds a business license or renewal for the applicable tax year.

(
B) A
veteran-owned small business is entitled to an income tax credit equal to fifty
percent of the amount of the South Carolina business license fee or renewal fee
paid in the income tax year up to two thousand five hundred dollars.

(
C)
The department may promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this
section.

S
ection
12-6-3845
.
(
A) An employer who
hires a qualified individual as defined in subsection (B) may claim a credit
against income tax due pursuant to this chapter.

(
B)
For purposes of this section, a "qualified individual" means:

(
1)
a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, as evidenced by a DD-214
discharge document; or

(
2)
a spouse of an active-duty service member, as evidenced by a valid military
spouse identification card.

(
C)
The credit is equal to two thousand five hundred dollars for each qualified
individual hired and an additional one thousand dollars for an individual who
is a disabled veteran, as evidenced by a United States Department of Veterans
Affairs disability rating letter or has been unemployed for at least ninety
consecutive days prior to the date of hire.

(
D)
The credit allowed by this section may be claimed only once per qualified
individual and must be taken in the tax year in which the individual is hired.

(
E)
Any unused credit may be carried forward for up to five tax years. The credit
is nonrefundable and nontransferable.

(
F)
Employers must maintain sufficient documentation including, but not limited to,
DD-214 forms, military spouse identification, or VA disability rating letters,
as verification of eligibility. The Department of Revenue shall prescribe the
manner in which claims must be filed.

(
G)
The total cumulative amount of credits claimed under this section may not
exceed twenty million dollars in any tax year.

S
ection
12-6-3850
.
(
A) For purposes of this
section:

(
1)
"Small employer" means any business with fifty or fewer employees on payroll
during the taxable year.

(
2)
"Family and medical leave" means leave taken by an employee pursuant to the
federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

(
3)
"Wages and benefits" include regular salary or hourly wages and the employer
portion of health insurance, retirement contributions, and other standard
benefits paid during the leave.

(
B)
For taxable years beginning after 2025, a taxpayer that is a small employer who
voluntarily provides family and medical leave in compliance with the federal
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. Section 2601, et seq.) is
allowed a credit against the tax imposed under this chapter equal to fifty
percent of the total wages paid to employees while on approved family and
medical leave during the taxable year, including the employer portion of
benefits attributable to that leave, up to a maximum of five thousand dollars
per employee per taxable year.

(
C)
To qualify for the credit, the employer must maintain documentation showing:

(
1)
employee eligibility and leave approval in accordance with the federal FMLA;
and

(
2)
the total wages and benefits paid during the leave period.

(
D)
The credit allowed under this section may not exceed the tax liability of the
taxpayer for the taxable year and may not be carried forward.

(
E)
The Department of Revenue shall prescribe forms and promulgate regulations
necessary to implement this section.

S
ection
12-6-3855
.
(
A) As used in this
section:

(
1)
"DSS" means the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

(
2)
"Applicable taxes" means taxes imposed under Chapter 6, Title 12.

(
3)
"Employee" means a resident of this State employed full-time or part-time by an
employer, including independent contractors and owners working in the business,
provided their wages do not exceed eighty thousand dollars annually.

(
4)
"Employer" means a for-profit business lawfully operating in this State.

(
5)
"Small business" means an employer with fifty or fewer employees.

(
6)
"Child" means an individual five years of age or younger.

(
7)
"Childcare facility" has the same meaning as provided in Section
63-13-20
and
must be licensed by DSS and participate in the state's ABC Quality rating
system.

(
8)
"Childcare provider" means a taxpayer or nonprofit entity that owns and
operates a licensed childcare facility in this State.

(
9)
"Eligible child" means a child enrolled in the State's Childcare Scholarship
Program (SC Voucher).

(
10)
"Eligible expenses" means expenses incurred by an employer for:

(
a)
construction, renovation, or maintenance of a childcare facility;

(
b)
payments to childcare facilities or employees for the provision of childcare;
and

(
c)
payments to reserve slots at childcare facilities for employees' children.

(
11)
"ABC Quality rating level" means the quality rating assigned by DSS under the
ABC Quality program.

(
B)
(
1) For tax years after 2025 and
before 2029, an employer may apply for a nonrefundable credit against
applicable taxes equal to seventy-five percent of eligible expenses. A small
business is allowed a credit equal to one hundred percent of eligible expenses.

(
2)
The credit may not exceed five hundred thousand dollars per employer per year.
Credits are nontransferable and may not be carried forward.

(
3)
Total credits allowed under this subsection may not exceed:

(
a)
twelve million dollars in 2026;

(
b)
fifteen million dollars in 2027; and

(
c)
seventeen million five hundred thousand dollars in 2028.

(
4)
Documentation and allocation procedures must be set by the department. At least
twenty-five percent of the statewide cap must be reserved for small businesses
to ensure participation.

(
C)
(
1) For tax years after 2025 and
before 2029, a childcare provider may claim a credit equal to the average
monthly number of eligible children multiplied by:

(
a)
one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars if the childcare provider has an A+
rating;

(
b)
one thousand five hundred dollars if the childcare provider has an A rating;

(
c)
one thousand two hundred fifty dollars if the childcare provider has a B+
rating;

(
d)
one thousand dollars if the childcare provider has a B rating; and

(
e)
seven hundred fifty dollars if the childcare provider has a C rating.

(
2)
The total credits awarded may not exceed three million five hundred thousand
dollars annually.

(
3)
DSS and DOR shall coordinate data sharing to verify eligibility.

(
D)
(
1) DSS may award grants up to forty
thousand dollars per nonprofit provider, subject to a statewide cap of four
million dollars annually, for facility improvements or expansions that increase
quality or capacity.

(
2)
Grants must require an application, written agreement, and compliance with DSS
rules.

(
E)
The department and DSS may promulgate regulations to implement the provisions
of this section.

S
ection
12-6-3860
.
(
A) A county with a
community jobs priority zone designation is a county that meets one or more of
the following criteria:

(
1)
provides documentation of unemployment rates above the state average;

(
2)
is within federal opportunity zones or New Market Tax Credit regions; or

(
3)
has received designation from the Department of Commerce for workforce
development initiatives.

(
B)
Taxpayers living in a designated community jobs priority zone may claim a
refundable credit equal to seven hundred fifty dollars for individuals or one
thousand five hundred dollars for joint filers. Eligibility requires continuous
residency and employment within the zone for the entire tax year. The credit
may be claimed annually for up to four consecutive years.

(
C)
Employers located in community jobs priority zones are eligible for:

(
1)
a twenty percent increase in value for any hiring-related state tax credit;

(
2)
priority access to state infrastructure matching funds; and

(
3)
site preparation and permit assistance through the Department of Commerce.

(
D)
Taxpayers must provide proof of residency and employment within the zone.

(
E)
The department may promulgate regulations necessary for the implementation of
this section.

S
ection
12-6-3865
.
(
A) As used in this
section:

(
1)
"Caregiving services" include assistance with activities of daily living,
medical care coordination, and supervision necessary to maintain health and
safety.

(
2)
"Unpaid primary caregiver" means the primary person who consistently assumes
the primary role of providing direct care and support for an individual who is:
sixty-five years or older, has an intellectual or physical disability, or is a
veteran with a service-connected condition, and who receives no compensation
for such care.

(
B) A
resident taxpayer who is an unpaid primary caregiver who provides caregiving
services for at least six consecutive months in the tax year may claim a
one-thousand-dollar refundable tax credit in the tax year if the taxpayer's
adjusted gross income does not exceed eighty thousand dollars.

(
C)
Each year, for credits claimed pursuant to this subsection, the department
shall issue a report to the General Assembly detailing the total number of
credits claimed, the average credit amount, and a geographic distribution of
where such taxpayers reside.

(
D)
Notwithstanding the one-thousand-dollar credit amount pursuant to Section
12-6-3830
in tax years 2026 and 2027, the credit shall equal two hundred fifty
dollars and five hundred dollars, respectively.

B
. The
provisions of Sections
12-6-3735
through
12-6-3865
are repealed on January 1,
2031, and no such credits may be claimed after tax year 2030.

S
ECTION 7.
A
rticle 3, Chapter 4, Title 12 of the S.C. Code is
amended by adding:

S
ection
12-4-400
.
(
A) The Department of
Revenue shall:

(
1)
create a single statewide Working Families Tax Credit portal to allow residents
to:

(
a)
screen for eligibility;

(
b)
apply for credits; and

(
c)
upload caregiver documentation or IRS filings; and

(
2)
issue guidance in multiple languages and formats.

(
B)
The Department of Commerce, in partnership with DEW and SC Works, shall align
all tax credit programs with:

(
1)
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act workforce development boards;

(
2)
Apprenticeship Carolina programs; and

(
3)
local reentry and caregiver employment support services.

S
ECTION 8.
C
hapter 29, Title 41 of the S.C. Code is amended by
adding:

S
ection
41-29-320
.
(
A) There is created
within the Department of Employment and Workforce the "Workplace Flexibility
Grant Program," subject to the availability of funds annually appropriated by
the General Assembly. The program will provide competitive grants to eligible
small employers to support the implementation of workplace flexibility
practices.

(
B)
For purposes of this section, "eligible employer" means a business entity that:

(
1)
employs fewer than one hundred employees statewide;

(
2)
demonstrates that at least twenty-five percent of its workforce consists of
parents, caregivers, or veterans; and

(
3)
commits, as a condition of receiving a grant, to maintaining funded workplace
practices for no less than twelve months following the receipt of grant funds.

(
C)
Eligible uses of grant funds include costs directly related to:

(
1)
flexible scheduling programs;

(
2)
job-sharing arrangements;

(
3)
remote work adaptation; or

(
4)
on-site or colocated childcare partnerships.

(
D)
Grant awards are subject to the following limitations:

(
1)
no grant may exceed ten thousand dollars per employer in any fiscal year;

(
2)
the total amount of grant funds awarded under this section may not exceed five
million dollars statewide in any fiscal year;

(
3)
an employer may not receive more than one grant award in any thirty-six-month
period; and

(
4)
an employer must provide a dollar-for-dollar private match of the grant award.

(
E)
The department shall develop application and verification procedures to ensure
compliance with this section.

(
F)
This section is repealed on June 30, 2030, unless reauthorized by the General
Assembly.

S
ECTION 9.
A
rticle 7, Chapter 40, Title 27 of the S.C. Code is
amended by adding:

S
ection
27-40-795
.
(
A) Except as otherwise
provided by a written rental agreement, a landlord may not increase rent in a
week-to-week or month-to-month tenancy without first providing written notice
to the tenant as follows:

(
1)
no less than thirty days before the effective date of any increase of less than
ten percent; and

(
2)
no less than sixty days before the effective date of any increase of ten
percent or more.

(
B)
For a fixed-term rental agreement, this section applies only to increases
effective at renewal unless the rental agreement expressly permits a midterm
adjustment and specifies the timing and method of notice consistent with this
section.

(
C)
Notice must be delivered in a manner provided pursuant to Section
27-40-240
.
Electronic delivery, including electronic mail or a secure resident portal, is
permitted only if the tenant has consented in writing in the rental agreement
or in a subsequent written addendum.

(
D) A
rent increase made without the notice required by this section is effective on
the earliest date that would comply with the applicable notice period after
proper notice is given. The landlord must be provided an opportunity to cure a
defect in the notice within fourteen days after receiving written notice of the
defect from the tenant. The exclusive remedy for noncompliance with this
section is declaratory or injunctive relief adjusting the effective date of the
increase. Attorney's fees may be awarded only upon a finding of bad faith.

(
E)
To ensure uniform statewide standards, a political subdivision may not enact or
enforce an ordinance or rule establishing rent increase notice requirements
that differ from the provisions of this section.

(
F)
Nothing in this section imposes a limit on rent amounts or the frequency of
increases otherwise permitted by law or contract. Entry into the premises for
the purpose of showing the property remains governed by Section
27-40-530
.

(
G)
This section applies to notices issued on or after January 1, 2026.

S
ECTION 10.
A
rticle 1, Chapter 1, Title 6 of the S.C. Code is
amended by adding:

S
ection
6-1-200
.
(
A) A municipality or county
may establish a voluntary rent stability program under which a residential
landlord may enter into a written agreement with the political subdivision to
limit annual rent increases in exchange for a local tax credit, fee reduction,
or other incentive authorized by law.

(
B) Any
voluntary rent stability agreement must:

(
1)
limit annual rent increases to a percentage no less than the lesser of ten
percent or the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All
Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the South Region, published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics;

(
2)
have a term not exceeding three years, after which it may be renewed by mutual
consent;

(
3)
apply only to multifamily properties with more than ten dwelling units; and

(
4)
not apply to any rental unit that is newly constructed or substantially
rehabilitated within the previous five years.

(
C)
Participation in a voluntary rent stability program by a landlord or property
owner is not a condition for the issuance or renewal of any business license,
permit, or other regulatory approval.

(
D)
This section does not authorize a political subdivision to impose mandatory
rent control or rent stabilization measures on residential property.

S
ECTION 11.
A
rticle 25, Chapter 6, Title 12 of the S.C. Code is
amended by adding:

S
ection
12-6-3830
.
(
A) A taxpayer who is
eligible for the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) under Section 42
of the Internal Revenue Code and places in service a qualifying project in
South Carolina may claim a state tax credit equal to one hundred percent of the
federal credit over a ten-year period.

(
B)
The income tax credit received pursuant to this section may be claimed against
income tax, bank tax, or insurance premium tax.

(
C)
Qualifying projects must:

(
1)
set aside at least twenty-five percent of units for households earning less
than sixty percent of the Area Median Income (AMI);

(
2)
be located in designated workforce housing zones or areas experiencing job
growth;

(
3)
include units set aside for veterans, seniors, or individuals with
disabilities; and

(
4)
remain affordable for a period of no less than thirty years.

(
D)
The South Carolina Housing Finance and Development Authority shall establish
rules to prioritize mixed-income projects and developments that colocate
childcare, transit access, or health clinics.

S
ECTION 12.
A
rticle 1, Chapter 13, Title 31 of the S.C. Code is
amended by adding:

S
ection
31-13-100
.
(
A)(1) There is created
within the South Carolina Housing Finance and Development Authority the
"Community Housing Growth Incentives Fund," to provide grants and technical
assistance for the development, preservation, and accessibility of workforce
and mixed-income housing, and to expand homeownership opportunities for
targeted workforce populations.

(
2)
The fund may receive appropriations from the General Assembly and may accept
gifts, grants, and other funds from public or private sources.

(
3)
Awards made pursuant to this section are subject to the availability of funds
appropriated by the General Assembly, and total awards in a fiscal year may not
exceed the aggregate amount authorized in the annual general appropriations
act.

(
B)
The authority may award grants to:

(
1)
municipalities or counties implementing zoning, land use, or permitting reforms
to encourage affordable housing;

(
2)
nonprofit or for-profit developers undertaking workforce or mixed-income
housing; and

(
3)
projects located within a "Community Revitalization Zone" as defined by the
authority in regulation.

(
C)
Grant funds may be used for:

(
1)
predevelopment and infrastructure costs;

(
2)
land acquisition and site control;

(
3)
site rehabilitation, including brownfield redevelopment;

(
4)
construction or preservation of mixed-income rental or for-sale housing; and

(
5)
technical assistance, including planning support, permitting guidance, and
architectural or engineering design for affordable housing.

(
D)
(
1) Awards for infrastructure, land
acquisition, or site preparation may not exceed two million five hundred
thousand dollars for each project.

(
2)
Awards for construction or preservation soft funding may not exceed one million
dollars for each project.

(
3)
Down payment assistance awards may not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars for
each eligible homebuyer.

(
4)
Except for awards granted pursuant to subsection (E), grant recipients must
provide a funding match from nonstate sources of no less than one dollar for
each one dollar of grant funds awarded.

(
E)
(
1) The authority shall establish a
grant track within the fund for income-qualified individuals with at least two
consecutive years of verified work experience in one or more of the following
categories:

(
a)
family caregivers providing care for children, the elderly, or individuals with
disabilities;

(
b)
public school teachers, paraprofessionals, or early childhood educators;

(
c)
honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces; or

(
d)
formerly incarcerated individuals who have maintained continuous employment
since release and complied with all conditions of supervision.

(
2)
Eligible individuals under this subsection may receive:

(
a)
priority access to down payment and closing cost assistance;

(
b)
a one-time homeownership counseling stipend not exceeding one thousand dollars;
and

(
c)
eligibility for first-time homebuyer incentives regardless of prior rental
history or credit limitations, subject to completion of financial counseling
and income verification.

(
3)
The authority shall publish an application process and timeline ensuring that
eligible applicants are notified of application status within sixty days of
submission and that funds are disbursed within one hundred twenty days of
approval, subject to available funds.

(
F)
No less than twenty-five percent of total funds appropriated or available
pursuant to this section each fiscal year must be allocated to the grant track
established in subsection (E), provided that such allocation does not conflict
with federal low-income housing tax credit compliance or bond requirements.

(
G)
In awarding grants pursuant to subsections (B) and (E), the authority shall
give priority to proposals that:

(
1)
align with regional workforce development plans or local economic growth
strategies;

(
2)
are colocated with or proximate to licensed childcare facilities, public
transit service, broadband service, or community health services; and

(
3)
reduce housing instability among caregivers, public school employees,
healthcare workers, veterans, and individuals reentering the workforce
following incarceration.

(
H)
(
1) Administrative expenses of the
authority related to the fund may not exceed five percent of the total funds
appropriated or available in a fiscal year.

(
2)
The authority shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the
Governor by January fifteenth of each year summarizing:

(
a)
total awards made;

(
b)
number and type of units supported;

(
c)
number of homebuyers assisted;

(
d)
geographic distribution of awards; and

(
e)
average and median per-unit and per-homebuyer public investment.

(
I)
The provisions of this section are repealed five years after the effective date
of this act unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.

S
ection
31-13-110
.
(
A) The South Carolina
Housing Finance and Development Authority shall prepare and submit an annual
"South Carolina Housing Affordability Report" to the Governor, the President of
the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives no later than January
fifteenth of each year.

(
B)
The report must include, at a minimum:

(
1)
the average monthly rents and the percentage of renter households paying more
than thirty percent of income for housing, by county and by region, using the
most recent available data;

(
2)
the number and location of housing units created or preserved in the preceding
year under:

(
a)
the state low-income housing tax credit program; and

(
b)
any local rent stabilization, rent notice, or similar affordability programs
administered or monitored by the authority;

(
3)
aggregated, nonidentifiable demographic information for households served,
including income bands, household size, veteran status, age, disability status,
and employment sector where available; and

(
4)
to the extent data is reasonably available to the authority:

(
a)
changes in school attendance rates among households receiving assistance;

(
b)
measures of workforce retention or turnover in sectors served by targeted
housing programs; and

(
c)
changes in homelessness counts or rates in communities served.

(
C)
The authority shall identify the data sources used, the methodology for
calculating each measure, and any material limitations in the data.

(
D)
The report must be posted in a machine-readable format on the authority's
publicly accessible website and must remain available for at least five years.

(
E)
The Office of Working Families shall coordinate housing data sharing between
the Housing Authority, Department of Social Services, the Department of
Commerce, and municipal planning departments.

S
ECTION 13.
T
itle 1 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

C
HAPTER 36

O
ffice of Family Protection

S
ection
1-36-5
.
T
he General Assembly finds that:

(
1)
strong and stable families are vital to the social and economic health of this
State, but many families face challenges in balancing caregiving, workforce
participation, and access to essential services; and

(
2)
support for families should be delivered in a manner that maximizes efficiency,
avoids duplication, leverages federal and private resources, and protects
taxpayers from unnecessary growth in state government.

S
ection
1-36-10
. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a limited, coordinated
framework within the Department of Administration to support and protect
families and caregivers by improving efficiency, eliminating duplication, and
maximizing the use of federal and private resources.

S
ection
1-36-20
.
(
A) There is created within
the Department of Administration a division to be known as the Office of Family
Protection (OFP). The division shall operate under the supervision of the Executive
Director of the Department of Administration.

(
B) The
mission of the OFP is to:

(
1)
coordinate state-level initiatives designed to support families, caregivers,
and underserved workers;

(
2)
oversee the implementation and interagency compliance of all provisions of the
chapter;

(
3)
serve as a central hub for data collection, evaluation, technical assistance,
and community engagement; and

(
4)
support local governments, employers, and nonprofit organizations in leveraging
state resources for family-focused policies.

S
ection
1-36-30
.
(
A) The Executive Director
of the Department of Administration shall appoint a Director of the Office of
Family Protection. The Director of the OFP shall serve at the pleasure of the
executive director.

(
B) The
director may hire professional staff, including policy analysts, program
evaluators, community liaisons, data scientists, and communications and
outreach specialists, subject to appropriations and Section
1-36-70
.

(
C) The
OFP shall operate in coordination with:

(
1)
the Department of Health and Human Services;

(
2)
the Department of Social Services;

(
3)
the Office of Mental Health of the Department of Behavioral Health and
Developmental Disabilities;

(
4)
the State Department of Education;

(
5)
the Department of Employment and Workforce;

(
6)
the Department on Aging;

(
7)
the Department of Revenue; and

(
8)
the Department of Commerce.

S
ection
1-36-40
.
(
A) The OFP shall submit an
annual report to the Executive Director of the Department of Administration,
the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives by December first of each year. The report must include:

(
1)
programmatic updates and implementation progress across all sections of the
act;

(
2)
disaggregated demographic data on participation in tax credits, caregiver
programs, housing and rental assistance, school meal and afterschool care
programs, and mental health and maternal health services;

(
3)
fiscal impact analysis and return-on-investment assessments; and

(
4)
recommendations for administrative, regulatory, or legislative changes.

(
B)
Reports must be made public and shall include plain-language summaries and
Spanish translations.

S
ection
1-36-5
0.
(
A) There is created the
Family Protection Advisory and Accountability Board. The board shall:

(
1)
provide public input on the implementation of this chapter;

(
2)
review and advise on the OFP annual report and evaluation metrics; and

(
3)
recommend reforms, funding strategies, or local partnerships.

(
B) The
board shall be comprised of at least fifteen members, appointed by the Governor
with advice from the Senate and House leadership, including:

(
1)
at least four low-income or working-class residents;

(
2)
two nonprofit leaders serving caregivers or working families;

(
3)
one military or veteran advocate;

(
4)
two local government officials;

(
5)
two employers;

(
6)
one mental health professional;

(
7)
one rural community representative;

(
8)
one educator; and

(
9)
one individual with lived experience as a caregiver or returning citizen.

(
C)
Board members shall serve two-year terms and shall meet at least quarterly.

(
D)
Advisory councils or task forces established under this section shall
automatically sunset after four years unless reauthorized by the General
Assembly.

S
ection
1-36-60
.
(
A) Within twelve months of
enactment, the OFP shall develop and launch a family protection integrated data
dashboard, accessible to the public and updated regularly.

(
B) The
dashboard must include:

(
1)
real-time indicators on tax credit claims, program uptake, and service
backlogs;

(
2)
heat maps showing county-level disparities;

(
3)
user-friendly filters by age group, income level, race or ethnicity, and rural
versus urban status; and

(
4)
tools for local governments and nonprofits to benchmark progress and apply for
grant funding.

S
ection
1-36-70
.
(
A) The General Assembly
shall appropriate no more than ten million dollars annually to the Department
of Administration for the operation of the Office of Family Protection,
including administrative costs and innovation grants. No more than ten percent
of the appropriation may be expended on administrative costs.

(
B) All
expenditures of the OFP are subject to line-item appropriations by the General
Assembly. The OFP may not obligate or expend funds in excess of appropriations,
nor create continuing obligations beyond the fiscal year without express
statutory authorization.

(
C) Any
funds appropriated to the OFP but not expended by the end of the fiscal year
shall revert to the general fund.

(
D) The
OFP shall, to the greatest extent practicable, coordinate and consolidate
existing state staff, infrastructure, and programs before initiating new hires
or expenditures.

(
E) The
OFP may not establish permanent programs or continuing obligations without
specific authorization by the General Assembly.

S
ection
1-36-80
.
(
A) The Legislative Audit
Council shall conduct a comprehensive review of the effectiveness and
efficiency of all provisions of this chapter no later than December 31, 2030.

(
B)
Based on the findings, the General Assembly shall determine whether to extend
or modify the OFP and associated programs, or to consolidate, sunset, or
redirect specific credits or pilot projects.

S
ECTION
14.A.
C
hapter 15, Title 2 of the S.C. Code is
amended by adding:

A
rticle 9

J
oint Citizens and Legislative Committee on
Prescription Drug Affordability

S
ection
2-15-910
. There is created a committee to be known as the "Joint Citizens and
Legislative Committee on Prescription Drug Affordability." The committee is
established as an advisory body to study prescription drug costs and to make
recommendations to reduce expenditures for the State of South Carolina, its
employees, and residents.

S
ection
2-15-920
.
(
A) The committee is
composed of:

(
1)
three members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, at least
one of whom must be from the minority party;

(
2)
three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the
House, at least one of whom must be from the minority party; and

(
3)
no fewer than six and no more than nine citizen members appointed by the
Governor with the advice of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House.

(
B)
Citizen members must include at least:

(
1)
three patients or caregivers;

(
2)
two licensed healthcare professionals;

(
3)
one academic expert in health economics or public health; and

(
4)
one representative of employees or small businesses.

(
C)
The citizen members shall serve terms of four years and until their successors
are appointed and qualify. The terms of the members must be staggered, and
initial appointments must be designated to provide for staggered expiration
dates. Vacancies must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment
for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(
D)
The committee shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among its
legislative members. The chairmanship must alternate every two years between a
member of the Senate and a member of the House of Representatives.

S
ection
2-15-930
.
(
A) The committee shall
meet at least quarterly and at the call of the chairman or a majority of its
members.

(
B)
The committee shall hold at least one public hearing annually in each of the
following regions of the State: the Upstate, the Midlands, and the Coastal
region.

S
ection
2-15-940
.
T
he committee shall:

(
1)
review annual trends in prescription drug costs in South Carolina;

(
2)
evaluate the impact of prescription drug spending on the State Health Plan,
Medicaid, and other state-funded programs;

(
3)
examine the role of pharmacy benefits managers and other entities in the
prescription drug supply chain;

(
4)
receive and consider citizen testimony on prescription drug affordability; and

(
5)
develop annual recommendations to the General Assembly to achieve measurable
savings for the State and for employees and families.

S
ection
2-15-950
.
(
A) The committee shall
submit a written report to the General Assembly no later than December first of
each year.

(
B)
The report must include, at a minimum:

(
1)
a list of the top twenty prescription drugs by total annual state expenditure;

(
2)
a list of the top twenty prescription drugs by average out-of-pocket cost to
beneficiaries;

(
3)
identification of prescription drugs with annual price increases exceeding ten
percent or that impose extraordinary costs on the State or patients;

(
4)
estimated fiscal savings to the State and out-of-pocket savings to employees
and beneficiaries if recommendations are adopted;

(
5)
estimated costs to the State and to beneficiaries if no action is taken;

(
6)
a comparison of South Carolina prescription drug expenditures with at least
three neighboring states and national averages;

(
7)
data on skipped doses, delayed care, or financial hardship due to drug costs,
and the availability and utilization of generic and biosimilar alternatives;

(
8)
analysis of rebate pass-through, spread pricing, administrative fees, and
contracting practices that contribute to higher costs;

(
9)
a statement of whether each recommendation requires legislation, regulation, or
administrative action and a proposed implementation timeline; and

(
10)
a summary of testimony and citizen feedback from the required regional public
hearings.

(
C)
The report must be published on the General Assembly's website within thirty
days of submission.

S
ection
2-15-960
. The committee must be staffed by existing personnel from the
Legislative Audit Council and the Department of Health and Human Services, as
assigned. No additional permanent staff positions may be created for the
operation of this committee.

S
ection
2-15-970
. This article is repealed five years from the effective date of this
act unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.

B
. The
existing sections of Chapter 15, Title 2 are redesignated as Article 1,
entitled "General Provisions."

S
ECTION 15.
A
rticle 1, Chapter 6, Title 44 of the S.C. Code is
amended by adding:

S
ection
44-6-42
.
T
he Department of Health and Human Services
is authorized to:

(
1)
negotiate supplemental rebates and bulk-purchasing agreements with
pharmaceutical companies for:

(
a)
asthma inhalers;

(
b)
antivirals;

(
c)
blood pressure medications, including hypertensives and hypotension drugs;

(
d)
epinephrine auto-injectors;

(
e)
insulin;

(
f)
oral contraceptives;

(
g)
psychotropic medications;

(
h)
long-acting reversible contraception (LARC);

(
i)
remote blood pressure cuffs and monitors; and

(
j)
contraceptive implants and IUDs;

(
2)
enter multistate consortiums or purchasing pools to reduce per-unit costs;

(
3)
establish a preferred drug list (PDL) that reflects affordability and efficacy
priorities, in coordination with the Prescription Drug Advisory Committee; and

(
4)
develop a state pharmacy card to extend negotiated discounts to uninsured or
underinsured residents of South Carolina, modeled on Maine's and New Mexico's
discount card programs.

S
ECTION 16.
A
rticle 3, Chapter 53, Title 44 of the S.C. Code is
amended by adding:

S
ection
44-53-364
.
T
he Department of Public Health, in
consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services and the
Prescription Drug Advisory Committee, shall:

(
1)
conduct annual public education campaigns on:

(
a)
copay caps;

(
b)
emergency prescription access;

(
c)
the prescription discount card program; and

(
d)
rights under public and private health plans;

(
2)
promote safe home use of blood pressure monitors, with training materials
provided to Medicaid and uninsured patients;

(
3)
ensure teens and working-age adults understand protections under the federal
birth control mandate and state affordability law; and

(
4)
provide guidance to:

(
a)
pharmacists regarding legal protections under emergency dispensing laws; and

(
b)
physicians regarding affordable prescribing options and biosimilar
alternatives.

S
ECTION 17. Funding
for implementation of Article 9, Chapter 15, Title 2, Section
44-6-42
, and
Section
44-53-364
shall come from federal matching funds to which the State is
eligible under Medicaid, manufacturer transparency fines, upper payment limit
(UPL) violations, and appropriations from the General Assembly as needed for
operation of the Prescription Drug Affordability Committee and for outreach.

S
ECTION 18.
C
hapter 35, Title 43 of the S.C. Code is amended by
adding:

A
rticle 7

C
aregiver Support

S
ection
43-35-710
.
(
A) There is established
an unpaid primary caregiver registry and identification card program within the
Department of Social Services (DSS), in partnership with the Department on
Aging (DOA). For purposes of this article, "unpaid primary caregiver" means the
primary person who consistently assumes the primary role of providing direct
care and support for an individual who is sixty-five years or older, has an
intellectual or physical disability, or is a veteran with a service-connected
condition, helping the individual to live successfully in the community and
providing the care and support without receiving compensation.

(
B)
DSS shall issue a state-recognized caregiver identification card entitling the
holder to:

(
1)
state caregiver tax credits as contained in Section
12-6-3865
;

(
2)
access to respite services as contained in Section
43-35-730
;

(
3)
emergency designation for school or hospital contacts; and

(
4)
eligibility for job protections and employer-side tax incentives as contained
in Section
12-6-3715
.

(
C)
DSS shall verify annually the primary caregiver's status. Caregiver
verification may include:

(
1)
healthcare provider documentation;

(
2)
Medicaid, disability, or veteran status of the care recipient; or

(
3)
sworn affidavit attestation.

S
ection
43-35-720
.
(
A)(1) There is
established a primary caregiver grant fund and program within the Department of
Health and Human Services (DHHS) to provide direct payments or subsidies of up
to five hundred dollars per month to eligible low- and moderate-income primary
caregivers who:

(
a)
provide at least twenty hours of unpaid care per week to a qualifying
individual;

(
b)
are not otherwise compensated by Medicaid or a private employer;

(
c)
have annual household income under three hundred percent of the federal poverty
level; and

(
d)
are a registered unpaid primary caregiver.

(
2)
If funding is insufficient for the number of eligible caregivers, grant funding
priority must be given to the following primary caregivers:

(
a)
kinship caregivers raising children of relatives;

(
b)
grandparents raising grandchildren; and

(
c)
caregivers of veterans or disabled children.

(
B)
(
1) The General Assembly shall
appropriate for the primary caregiver grant fund the following:

(
a)
beginning with the calendar year ending December 31, 2027, five million
dollars;

(
b)
for the calendar year ending December 31, 2028, up to seven million dollars;

(
c)
for the calendar year ending December 31, 2029, up to nine million dollars; and

(
d)
for the calendar year ending December 31, 2030, up to ten million dollars.

A
ll increases must be
based on participation numbers.

(
2)
In addition to state funding received, DHHS shall seek federal matching funds.

(
C)
The provisions of this section are effective for tax years beginning on or
after January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2030, unless extended by an act
of the General Assembly.

(
D)
DHHS must submit an annual report to the General Assembly outlining, among
other relevant data, utilization demographics.

S
ection
43-35-730
.
(
A)(1) There is
established a caregiver respite services program within The Department on Aging
(DOA). DOA shall collaborate with its area agencies on aging, designated
pursuant to Section
43-21-45
, in establishing the program.

(
2)
The caregiver respite services program shall include in-home respite, adult day
programs, and short-term stays in care facilities to include assisted living or
skilled nursing facilities, emergency drop-in care, and mobile respite units.

(
3)
For purposes of this section, "respite" means a temporary break for caregivers,
ranging from a few hours to a few days, depending on what the caregiver needs.

(
4)
An eligible caregiver includes a person who is eighteen years or older who is
caring for any of the following individuals:

(
a)
an individual who is sixty years or older and who is in need of assistance with
daily living activities;

(
b)
an individual of any age with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia;

(
c)
a child under the age of eighteen years who is cared for by one or more
relatives fifty-five years or older; or

(
d)
an adult with disabilities between the ages of eighteen and fifty-nine years of
age who is cared for by one or more relatives fifty-five years or older.

(
B)
In addition to receiving state funding, the Department on Aging shall seek
grants, vouchers, community partners, and available federal funds.

(
C)
DOA may exercise its discretion to ensure priority is given to individuals
residing in underserved or rural areas.

(
D)
(
1) DOA shall provide an annual report
on the demographics of utilization to include, but not be limited to, the
following:

(
a)
the location and service rendered by type and hours;

(
b)
the number of requests received; and

(
c)
the number of unfulfilled requests, providing for each unfulfilled request the
following information: whether the request was unfulfilled due to lack of
resources or funding, the service area in question, and any caregiver feedback.

(
2)
A joint legislative committee annually shall review the report and recommend
whether additional funding or resources are needed.

S
ection
43-35-740
.
(
A)(1) The Office of
Family Protection established pursuant to Chapter 36, Title 1, shall launch a
community caregiver navigation program, providing trained caregiver navigators
embedded at:

(
a)
county DSS offices;

(
b)
SC Works employment centers; and

(
c)
local hospitals and clinics.

(
2)
Navigators shall assist with:

(
a)
access to respite care, subsidies, and identification cards;

(
b)
Medicaid waiver programs;

(
c)
veteran caregiver services; and

(
d)
employment, tax credits, and education.

(
B)
The program will prioritize:

(
1)
caregivers who are under thirty years of age or over fifty-five years of age;

(
2)
rural residents; and

(
3)
first-generation or language-isolated households.

S
ection
43-35-750
.
(
A) The Department of
Administration shall oversee a statewide multimedia campaign titled "South
Carolina Cares" to:

(
1)
destigmatize and validate caregiving as essential labor;

(
2)
inform employers, health providers, and schools about caregiver rights and
programs; and

(
3)
promote participation in the primary caregiver identification program, respite
offerings, and tax relief.

(
B)
Campaign materials must be:

(
1)
available in multiple languages;

(
2)
shared through local news, public health offices, and libraries; and

(
3)
adapted for use by employers and healthcare systems.

S
ECTION 19.
C
hapter 1, Title 41 of the S.C. Code is amended by
adding:

S
ection
41-1-140
.
(
A)(1) An employer may
not:

(
a)
discriminate or retaliate against an employee based on their status as an
unpaid primary caregiver; or

(
b)
deny reasonable requests for flexible scheduling, job-sharing, or temporary
part-time status due to verified caregiving obligations.

(
2)
Employers with fifteen or more employees must provide up to five days of unpaid
job-protected leave annually for caregiving emergencies, in addition to federal
protections under FMLA (if applicable).

(
3)
Caregivers must provide reasonable notice and verification through the state
unpaid primary caregiver identification program.

(
B)
The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation shall enforce this provision
and may assess fines or issue compliance orders for violations.

S
ECTION 20. The General Assembly finds that the
sections presented in this act constitute one subject as required by Section
17, Article III of the South Carolina Constitution, in particular finding that
each change and each topic relates directly to or in conjunction with other
sections to the subject of supporting families, communities, and taxpayers as
clearly enumerated in the title. The General Assembly further finds that
a common purpose or relationship exists among the sections, representing a
potential plurality but not disunity of topics, notwithstanding that reasonable
minds might differ in identifying more than one topic contained in the act.

S
ECTION 21. Except as otherwise provided, this
act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on January 21, 2026 at 2:42 PM