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SC H5065

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/29/2026

Primary Sponsor

Kathy Landing

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

126th General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Establishes mandatory additional prison terms for crimes against minors: 1 year for misdemeanors and 5 years for felonies when victims are aged 12-17; 2 years for misdemeanors and 10 years for felonies when victims are 11 or younger.

  • Requires enhanced sentences to be served consecutively after the underlying sentence, with no eligibility for suspension, parole, probation, or early release.

  • Doubles the mandatory additional imprisonment for repeat offenders convicted of a second or subsequent crime against a minor.

  • Prohibits defendants convicted of crimes against minors from using insanity, diminished mental capacity, or mental illness claims to avoid or reduce the enhanced sentencing provisions.

  • Defines "crime against a minor" to include physical assault, criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, exploitation, human trafficking, neglect, endangerment, and homicide against persons under age 18.

Legislative Description

Enhanced Punishment for Crimes Against Minors

Last Action

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: M.M.Smith

2/4/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary1/29/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available