A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 23-3-537 SO AS TO PROHIBIT REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS FROM ENTERING UPON, REMAINING IN, OR LOITERING UPON THE GROUNDS OF MUNICIPAL, COUNTY, OR SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICT PARKS WITHOUT BEING GIVEN EXPRESSED PERMISSION BY THE PARKS' GOVERNING AUTHORITIES, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.
Summary
H5524 would add a new section to South Carolina law making it unlawful for a person registered as a sex offender to enter, remain in, or loiter on the grounds of a municipal, county, or special purpose district park unless the park’s governing authority has given express permission. The bill applies only to public parks of those listed local government types and does not create a general statewide park ban; instead, it ties access to permission from the relevant park authority.
A violation would be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100 to $500, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both within the statutory limits described. The act would take effect upon the Governor’s approval, and it would be codified in Title 23, Chapter 3, Article 7 of the South Carolina Code, which governs sex offender registration and related restrictions.
Impact
The bill would expand South Carolina’s sex-offender-related restrictions by creating a specific criminal offense for unauthorized presence in certain public parks. It would affect registered sex offenders, local park governing authorities, and law enforcement by adding a new enforceable prohibition and penalty scheme. The measure would also place a new decision-making role on municipal, county, and special purpose district park authorities, which could grant express permission on a case-by-case basis.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a public-safety-oriented approach to restricting access by registered sex offenders in parks, a policy area that often draws support from proponents of child and family protection. At the same time, such restrictions can raise concerns about overbreadth, enforcement, and whether they impose additional limitations beyond existing registration requirements.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be whether a categorical park-entry restriction is necessary and appropriately tailored for all registered sex offenders, regardless of offense history or risk level. Supporters would likely emphasize protecting children and families in public parks and giving local authorities control over access. Opponents may argue that the bill could be overly broad, create enforcement challenges, and impose additional criminal penalties for conduct that may not itself involve any new harmful act.