SC S0702

Expands the definition of "household member" in domestic violence laws to include persons presently or formerly in a dating relationship, replacing gendered "male and female" language with gender-neutral "persons"

Creates a new criminal offense of "coercive control," defined as a pattern of behavior that unreasonably interferes with a person's free will, including isolation from support systems, monitoring communications and finances, deprivation of basic necessities, threats, and reproductive coercion

Adds domestic violence, stalking, and harassment against a spouse or minor child as new grounds for divorce in South Carolina

Expands the definition of "abuse" in protection order statutes to include harassment, stalking, and coercive control

Requires family courts to consider domestic violence, stalking, and harassment when determining child custody arrangements in the best interest of the child