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SC H5090

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

2/4/2026

Primary Sponsor

David Martin

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

126th General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Designates the legislation as "Riley's Act" to strengthen animal cruelty penalties in South Carolina
  • Increases first offense penalties for animal ill-treatment from 90 days/$1,000 maximum to 1 year/$2,000 maximum, and elevates second offenses from misdemeanors to felonies with up to 5 years imprisonment and $5,000 fines
  • Raises penalties for torturing or cruelly killing animals from a minimum of 180 days to 1 year imprisonment, and increases fines from $5,000 to $10,000
  • Requires the State Law Enforcement Division to maintain a searchable online database of persons convicted of animal cruelty violations
  • Mandates courts to prohibit felony animal cruelty offenders from owning or possessing any animals, with discretionary prohibition for misdemeanor offenders

Legislative Description

Cruelty to animals

Last Action

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Lawson

2/10/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/4/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available