SC S0870

Establishes requirements for military chaplains serving South Carolina militia classes (National Guard, State Guard, organized militia, and unorganized militia), including proper ordination and endorsement by a recognized military endorsing agency

Requires chaplains to wear uniforms properly identifying their status as a chaplain appropriate to their militia class

Grants chaplains authority to engage in privileged communications with militia members, authorized dependents, and authorized personnel, with the clergy-penitent privilege applying to communications made as formal acts of religion or matters of conscience

Prohibits commanders and courts from compelling chaplains or individuals to disclose confidential communications when clergy-penitent privilege exists, unless a military judge determines no such privilege applies

Extends clergy-penitent privilege recognition to active duty or reserve chaplains regardless of status, provided the communication involves a covered member and is made as a formal act of religion or matter of conscience