2025-2026 Regular SessionSouth Carolina Legislature

H3276: SC Hands-Free Act

Legislative Summary

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Enacting The "south Carolina Hands-free And Distracted Driving Act" By Amending Section 56-5-3890, Relating To Unlawful Use Of Wireless Electronic Communication Devices While Operating Motor Vehicles, So As To Delete Certain Terms And Their Definitions, To Define The Term "mobile Electronic Device," To Provide The Circumstances When Mobile Electronic Devices May Not Be Used While Operating A Motor Vehicle, To Create The Offense Of Distracted Driving And Provide Penalties, To Provide For The Disbursement Of Fines Imposed Pursuant To This Section, To Provide The Circumstances Upon Which This Section May Be Enforced, To Provide For The Sharing Of Certain Information With The Department Of Public Safety, And To Provide This Section Is Not Subject To Provisions Related To Citizens Arrests; By Amending Section 56-1-720, Relating To Points That May Be Assessed Against A Person's Driving Record For Motor Vehicle Driving Violations, So As To Provide That A Second Or Subsequent Offense Of Distracted Driving Is A Two-point Violation; To Provide The Department Of Transportation Shall Erect Signs Advising Motorists Of The Provisions Of This Act; To Provide Only Warnings May Be Issued For Certain Violations For A Certain Period; And To Provide The Department Of Public Safety Shall File A Report With Certain Officials Containing Information About Persons Stopped Pursuant To This Act. - Ratified Title

Demographic Impact

Overall analysis of equity impact

70% Positive
Medium ConfidenceView detailed demographic breakdown ↓

Unlock Full Demographic Insights

Go beyond the overall score.

Gain a deeper understanding of this bill's potential impact across diverse communities, including detailed breakdowns by category and subgroup. Access to this granular analysis helps ensure equitable outcomes.

Enable full analysis features for your organization.

Contact Sales to Learn More

Or email us directly at sales@legiequity.us.

Bill History

12/5/2024
Prefiled
House of Representatives
12/5/2024
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
House of Representatives
1/14/2025
Introduced and read first time
House of Representatives
1/14/2025
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
House of Representatives
1/29/2025
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: McGinnis
House of Representatives
2/11/2025
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Calhoon
House of Representatives
2/13/2025
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Bernstein
House of Representatives
2/18/2025
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Wooten
House of Representatives
3/20/2025
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
House of Representatives
3/25/2025
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hart, Henderson-Myers, Erickson, Bradley
House of Representatives
3/25/2025
Scrivener's error corrected
3/26/2025
Debate adjourned until Thur., 3-27-25
House of Representatives
3/26/2025
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Ligon
House of Representatives
3/27/2025
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Gilliard, Anderson, Rivers, Schuessler
House of Representatives
3/27/2025
Member(s) request name removed as sponsor: Henderson-Myers
House of Representatives
3/27/2025
Requests for debate-Rep
House of Representatives
3/27/2025
Amended
House of Representatives
3/27/2025
Debate adjourned
House of Representatives
4/1/2025
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hixon
House of Representatives
4/3/2025
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: M.M.Smith
House of Representatives
4/9/2025
Member(s) request name removed as sponsor: Gilliard, Rivers
House of Representatives
4/9/2025
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hartnett
House of Representatives
4/9/2025
Amended
House of Representatives
4/9/2025
Read second time
House of Representatives
4/9/2025
Roll call Yeas-85 Nays-25
House of Representatives
4/10/2025
Read third time and sent to Senate
House of Representatives
4/15/2025
Introduced and read first time
Senate
4/15/2025
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Senate
4/16/2025
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Transportation
Senate
4/29/2025
Special order, set for April 29, 2025
Senate
4/30/2025
Committee Amendment Adopted
Senate
4/30/2025
Amended
Senate
4/30/2025
Read second time
Senate
4/30/2025
Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-0
Senate
5/1/2025
Read third time and returned to House with amendments
Senate
5/6/2025
Debate adjourned until Wed., 5-7-25
House of Representatives
5/7/2025
Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
House of Representatives
5/7/2025
Roll call Yeas-77 Nays-37
House of Representatives
5/8/2025
Ratified R 59
5/12/2025
Signed By Governor
5/19/2025
Effective date 09/01/25
5/19/2025
Act No. 40

Roll Call Votes

House: Concur In Senate Amendments
5/7/2025
77
Yea
37
Nay
6
Not Voting
3
Absent
Result: PASSED
Senate: 2nd Reading
4/30/2025
40
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
3
Absent
Result: PASSED
House: Passage Of Bill
4/9/2025
85
Yea
25
Nay
7
Not Voting
6
Absent
Result: PASSED
House: Table Amendment 7 Amendment Number 7
4/9/2025
18
Yea
82
Nay
17
Not Voting
6
Absent
Result: FAILED
House: Table Motion To Adjourn Debate
3/27/2025
53
Yea
39
Nay
20
Not Voting
10
Absent
Result: PASSED
House: Adopt Amendment 1 Amendment Number 1
3/27/2025
70
Yea
29
Nay
13
Not Voting
10
Absent
Result: PASSED

Status Information

Current Status
Passed(5/19/2025)
Chamber
House of Representatives

Documents

Comm Sub
Bill Text4/30/202569.1 KB
Comm Sub
Bill Text4/16/202575.6 KB
Amended
Bill Text4/9/202570.9 KB
Amended
Bill Text4/9/202570.9 KB
Amended
Bill Text3/27/202525.2 KB
Comm Sub
Bill Text3/25/202552.7 KB
Comm Sub
Bill Text3/20/202551.9 KB
Introduced
Bill Text12/5/202433.6 KB
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note4/28/2025188.5 KB
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note2/14/2025190.4 KB
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note2/4/2025188.4 KB