South Carolina S 222: Medical decisions for patients that are unable to consent

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 222 Text of Previous Version (May. 12, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 222

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Amended

May 12, 2026

S. 222

Introduced 
by Senators Ott and Stubbs 

S. Printed 5/12/26--H.

Read the first time May 6, 2026

________

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 
56-2-140 SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLE" AND PROVIDE FOR THE 
REGISTRATION AND OPERATION OF THEM ON THE HIGHWAYS AND STREETS OF THE STATE; BY 
AMENDING SECTION 56-1-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE 
DEFINITION OF THE TERM "OFF-ROAD USE ONLY"; and BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-30, 
RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, so as to REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "INDIVIDUAL 
PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOMOBILE" TO INCLUDE CERTAIN UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLES.

 Amend Title To Conform

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 2, Title 56 of the S.C. Code is amended by 
adding:

Article 5

Utility Terrain Vehicles

 Section 
56-2-5000. For the purposes of this article, a "Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV)" 
means a side-by-side, four-wheel drive, off-road vehicle intended to transport 
individuals, cargo, or both with a top speed over fifty-five miles per hour; a 
motor vehicle of at least four hundred and fifty cubic centimeters; eighty 
inches or less in overall width; designed to travel on four or more wheels, two 
or four tracks, or combinations of four or more tracks and wheels; using a 
steering wheel for steering control; with a nonstraddle seat; and with a Gross 
Vehicle Weight Rating of no more than four thousand pounds. 

 Section 
56-2-5010. A person operating a UTV on a public 
highway must be at least seventeen years of age, hold a valid driver's license 
that permits the operation of a motor vehicle at any time, and have in his 
possession:

 (1) 
the license plate and registration certificate;

 (2) 
proof of liability insurance in conformance with Section 38-77-140; and

 (3) 
his driver's license.

 Section 
56-2-5020. (A) A person who holds a 
beginner's permit pursuant to Section 56-1-50 or solely a moped operator's 
license pursuant to Section 56-1-1720 may not operate a UTV on a public highway, 
even if a licensed driver accompanies the beginner's permit holder in the UTV 
pursuant to Section 56-1-50(B)(1).

 (B) A 
person who holds a temporary alcohol license, route restricted driver's 
license, provisional driver's license, or solely a motorcycle license may not 
operate a UTV on a public highway.

 (C) It 
is unlawful to operate a UTV on a road if the UTV has a modified exhaust system 
which causes the operation of the UTV to be louder than its manufactured 
design.

 Section 
56-2-5030. A child under eight years old is not permitted to be a passenger in 
a UTV that is being operated on a public highway.

 Section 
56-2-5040. A person under the age of twenty-one operating or riding as a 
passenger in a UTV being operated on a public highway must wear the protective 
gear described in Sections 56-5-3660 and 56-5-3670.

 Section 
56-2-5050. A person operating or riding as a passenger in a UTV being operated 
on a public highway must wear a fastened safety belt that complies with the 
provisions of Section 56-2-5060. An operator or passenger who violates this 
subsection must be fined pursuant to Section 56-5-6540.

 Section 
56-2-5060. A registered UTV must be equipped with:

 (1) a 
Type 2 seat belt assembly conforming to 49 C.F.R. 571.209 installed at each 
designated seating position; and

 (2) 
operable headlights, brake lights, taillights, and turn signals.

 Section 
56-2-5070. (A) UTVs are exempt from 
the provisions of Section 56-3-627.

 (B) A 
registered UTV is subject to road-use fees for vehicles powered by electric, 
hydrogen, and fuels other than motor fuel pursuant to Section 56-3-645.

 (C) UTVs 
are subject to sales tax pursuant to Title 12, Chapter 36.

 (D) The 
owner of a UTV is exempt from the payment of property taxes in the county in 
which the UTV or Farm UTV is registered.

 Section 
56-2-5080. (A) A person may not 
operate a UTV on any interstate highway.

 (B) The 
Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of UTVs on any highway 
if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

 Section 
56-2-5090. (A) The Department of 
Motor Vehicles shall not register or renew the registration of a UTV unless a 
certificate of title has been issued by the department to the owner or an 
application has been delivered by the owner to the department. The fee for a 
certificate of title is contained in Section 56-19-420. The department may 
require a bill of sale, invoice, or other sales document to properly title a 
UTV under