H4804 is a bill in the South Carolina Legislature (126th General Assembly): Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, penalties.

What is the status of H4804?

Signed into law as of June 2, 2026. Latest action: Act No. 189 (June 2, 2026).

Travis Moore (R, 33), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H4804?

On the South Carolina Legislature website: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4804.htm

South Carolina legislation · 126th General Assembly

South Carolina H4804: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, penalties

Q: What does H4804 do?

In its own words: To amend the south carolina code of laws by amending section 16-15-395, relating to first degree sexual exploitation of a minor, so as to increase the minimum penalty to five years' imprisonment; by amending section 16-15-405, relating to second degree sexual exploitation of a minor, so as to increase the minimum penalty to three years' imprisonment; and by amending section 16-15-410, relating to third degree sexual exploitation of a minor, so as to establish penalties based on the number of images possessed, including a penalty of up to ten years if there are one to twenty-five images.

Status: Signed into law, June 2, 2026

What the bill says

To amend the south carolina code of laws by amending section 16-15-395, relating to first degree sexual exploitation of a minor, so as to increase the minimum penalty to five years' imprisonment; by amending section 16-15-405, relating to second degree sexual exploitation of a minor, so as to increase the minimum penalty to three years' imprisonment; and by amending section 16-15-410, relating to third degree sexual exploitation of a minor, so as to establish penalties based on the number of images possessed, including a penalty of up to ten years if there are one to twenty-five images.

From the amended text, May 13, 2026:

A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-395, RELATING TO FIRST DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM PENALTY TO FIVE YEARS' IMPRISONMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-405, RELATING TO SECOND DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM PENALTY TO THREE YEARS' IMPRISONMENT; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-410, RELATING TO THIRD DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MInor, SO AS TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF IMAGES POSSESSED, INCLUDING A PENALTY OF UP TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE ONE TO TWENTY-FIVE IMAGES, ONE TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE TWENTY-SIX TO TWO HUNDRED FIFTY IMAGES, AND A PENALTY OF TWO TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY IMAGES; AND TO ESTABLISH THAT A PERSON WHO IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER AND VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF THis SECTION, UPON CONVICTION, MUST SERVE A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS. Amend Title To Conform B e it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: S ECTION 1. S ection 16-15-395 of the S.C. Code is amended to read: S ection 16-15-395. ( A) An individual commits the offense of first degree sexual exploitation of a minor if, knowing the character or content of the material or …

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South Carolina H4804: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, penalties

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