South Carolina H 5009: Income tax deduction

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5009 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 22, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5009

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 SECTIONS 63-7-2630 AND 63-9-765 SO AS TO 
REQUIRE FAMILY COURTS TO CONSIDER THE APPROPRIATENESS OF NO-CONTACT ORDERS OR 
SUPERVISED-CONTACT ORDERS WHEN TERMINATING PARENTAL RIGHTS OR FINALIZING 
ADOPTIONS; TO AUTHORIZE THESE ORDERS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Article 7, Chapter 7, Title 63 of the S.C. Code is 
amended by adding:

 Section 
63-7-2630. (A) For purposes of this 
section:

 (1) 
"Contact" means any in-person contact, telephone call, text message, electronic 
communication, including social media, mail, third-party communication, or 
attempt to effectuate communication directed to the child or any caregiver of 
the child.

 (2) 
"No-contact order" means a court order prohibiting all contact as that term is 
defined in this section.

 (3) 
"Supervised-contact order" means a court order permitting contact only in the 
presence of, and under the supervision of, a court-approved individual and 
subject to any conditions the court may impose.

 (B) 
When the court enters an order terminating parental rights pursuant to this 
article, the court shall:

 (1) 
consider whether a no-contact order or supervised-contact order between the 
child and any biological parent or relative is necessary to protect the child's 
safety, welfare, or attachment to the adoptive family or other caregiver; and

 (2) 
if the court determines that a no-contact order or supervised-contact order is not 
necessary, make written findings on the record stating the factual basis for 
that determination.

 (C) 
In making a determination pursuant to subsection (B), the court shall consider, 
where relevant:

 (1) 
any history of violence, stalking, harassment, threats, or unlawful 
interference by the biological parent or relative;

 (2) 
credible allegations of abuse or neglect or attempts to abduct or remove the 
child or a sibling from lawful custody;

 (3) 
the child's age, maturity, and expressed preference, if of sufficient age to 
form an intelligent preference;

 (4) 
the nature and quality of any existing relationship between the child and the 
biological parent or relative;

 (5) 
the effect of contact on the child's safety, stability, and attachment to the 
adoptive family or other caregiver; and

 (6) 
any proposed plan for supervised contact and whether it adequately mitigates 
identified risks.

 (D)(1) The court may include a no-contact 
order or supervised-contact order in the final termination of parental rights 
order when necessary to protect the child.

 (2) 
A violation of a no-contact order entered pursuant to this section may be 
enforced by civil contempt and may be referred to law enforcement for criminal 
investigation as appropriate.

 (E) 
Nothing in this section prevents the limited disclosure of non-contact 
information necessary for medical care, education, or law enforcement purposes, 
provided disclosure does not enable direct or indirect contact in violation of 
this section.

 (F) A 
no-contact order or supervised-contact order entered pursuant to this section 
remains in effect until the child reaches eighteen years of age, unless 
modified or terminated earlier by the court.

 (G) A 
no-contact order or supervised-contact order entered pursuant to this section 
restrains the biological parent or relative and does not prohibit the child 
from initiating contact. The child is not subject to enforcement or penalty for 
initiating contact.

 (H) 
Upon motion of any party or the child, if of sufficient age and maturity, the 
court may modify or terminate a no-contact order or supervised-contact order 
upon a showing that modification is in the child's best interests.

 (I) 
Nothing in this section limits the authority of an adoptive parent or other 
caregiver not to consent to contact where a no-contact order or 
supervised-contact order has been modified or terminated by the court.

SECTION 2. Subarticle 7, Article 1, Chapter 9, Title 63 of the 
S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 Section 
63-9-765. (A) For purposes of this 
section:

 (1) 
"Contact" means any in-person contact, telephone call, text message, electronic 
communication, including social media, mail, third-party communication, or 
attempt to effectuate communication directed to the child or any caregiver of 
the child.

 (2) 
"No-contact order" means a court order prohibiting all contact as that term is 
defined in this section.

 (3) 
"Supervised-contact order" means a court order permitting contact only in the 
presence of, and under the supervision of, a court-approved individual and 
s