South Carolina H 5320: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND COMMEND DR. MATTHEW Y. C. LIN FOR HIS LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING QUALITY HEALTHCARE TO MINORITIES.

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5320 Text of Previous Version (Mar. 16, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5320

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 
17 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 47 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS, TO REQUIRE A PERSON OR ENTITY 
ENGAGED IN THE BREEDING AND SALE OF DOGS FOR PROFIT TO REGISTER WITH THE SOUTH 
CAROLINA SECRETARY OF STATE, TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPERATION OF DOG 
BREEDING FOR PROFIT, TO REQUIRE AN ANIMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATION TO REGISTER WITH 
THE COUNTY IN WHICH IT OPERATES AND TO OUTLINE REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION, 
DEFINE "NUISANCE BARKING" AND PROVIDE PENALTIES, REQUIRE DOG IDENTIFICATION 
METHODS, REQUIRE PROOF OF OWNERSHIP TO RELEASE AN IMPOUNDED DOG OR CAT TO ITS 
OWNER; AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THIS CHAPTER.

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Chapter 3, Title 47 of the S.C. Code is amended by 
adding:

Article 17

Dogs and Cats

 Section 
47-3-1000. For purposes of this article:

 (1) 
"Adequate food" means clean, nutritionally appropriate food in a quantity 
sufficient for their age, size, species, and breed to maintain health and 
prevent starvation or malnutrition. Food must be fresh, uncontaminated, and 
free from spoilage, rancidity, or pests. Fresh food shall be given at least 
twice every 24 hours, unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian. Soft food 
must be available for animals unable to chew dry food.

 (2) 
"Adequate space" means an enclosure or confinement area that allows an animal 
to move freely, maintain natural postures, and reposition comfortably. The 
space must be clean, free from waste accumulation, and appropriately sized for 
the animal's breed and weight, meeting or exceeding the following requirements:

 (a) 
Dogs under twenty-five pounds require twenty-four square feet per dog.

 (b) 
Dogs between twenty-five and fifty pounds require sixty-four square feet per 
dog.

 (c) 
Dogs over fifty pounds require one hundred square feet per dog.

 (d) 
An enclosure or confinement area must be a minimum of four feet wide for dogs 
up to fifty pounds and six feet wide for dogs over fifty pounds.

 (e) 
An enclosure or confinement area must be at least twelve inches taller than the 
tallest dog when standing.

 (f) 
Crates, carriers, or small enclosures are not considered adequate space for 
long-term housing. Crates must allow the dog to stand, turn around, and lie 
down fully extended without touching the sides or ceiling. Dogs may not be 
crated for more than twelve hours in a 24-hour period, except when extended 
confinement is recommended by a licensed veterinarian for medical reasons.

 (g) 
The space requirements of this item do not apply to animals housed in county- 
or city-operated animal shelters, state-registered humane societies, and/or to 
animals housed by county-registered animal rescue charitable organizations 
providing short-term care for stray, abandoned, or surrendered animals. The 
space requirements do not apply to animals housed by law enforcement agencies.

 (3) 
"Adequate ventilation" means fresh air sufficient to provide for animal health 
and well-being, and to minimize odors, drafts, ammonia levels, and moisture 
condensation.

 (4) 
"Animal rescue organization" means any person, partnership, corporation, or 
other entity that takes in, fosters, rehabilitates, or rehomes animals, 
including dogs, cats, and other companion animals, whether operating from a 
physical facility or a foster-based network.

 (5) 
"Extreme temperature" refers to temperatures that pose a risk to an animal's 
health, safety, or well-being, including:

 (a) 
Hot temperature means exposure to 90°F (32°C) or higher, or conditions causing 
heat stress, dehydration, or heatstroke.

 (b) 
Cold temperature means exposure to below 32°F (0°C), or conditions leading to 
hypothermia, frostbite, or prolonged discomfort.

 (6) 
"Sufficient shade" means enough shade to protect the animal from direct 
sunlight at all times, preventing overheating and heat-related stress.

 Section 
47-3-1010. (A) Any person or entity 
engaged in the breeding and sale of dogs for profit in this State must file a 
Business Registration Application with the Secretary of State.

 (B) Business 
registration must be renewed annually, and breeders must ensure their 
information remains accurate and up to date.

 Section 
47-3-1020. (A) All individuals or 
businesses engaged in dog breeding must adhere to the following minimum care 
standards:

 (1) 
All cages or enclosures must be constructed from suitable materials to ensure 
adequate shelter, and shall also be maintained as follows:

 (a) 
contains the dog securely and keeps other animals from entering the enclosure;

 (b) 
may not be stacked on top