South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

South Carolina House Bill H3521

Introduced
1/14/25  

Caption

Family Court Judges, additional

Impact

If passed, this bill will directly affect the structure of family court operations in the Eleventh Circuit of South Carolina. By augmenting the number of judges, the court system is expected to improve the speed and quality of case handling, thereby potentially reducing backlog and enhancing access to justice for individuals involved in family disputes. The increase might also ensure that judges can dedicate more time to each case due to a lower caseload.

Summary

House Bill 3521 seeks to amend Section 63-3-40 of the South Carolina Code of Laws to increase the number of family court judges in the Eleventh Circuit from three to five. This adjustment reflects a growing demand for judicial resources in family court, possibly due to rising case volumes associated with divorce, custody disputes, and other family-related legal matters. The bill aims to enhance the judicial capacity to handle such cases efficiently.

Contention

While proponents of H3521 argue that the amendment is necessary to address the increasing demands on family court, some may raise concerns about the accompanying budget implications and the need for adequate funding for the new judges. The n additional appointments can result in financial strain on the state budget, leading to discussions on how best to allocate resources without compromising other areas of the legal system.

Companion Bills

SC H3529

Similar To Family Court Judges, additional

Previously Filed As

SC H5516

Beulah Roberts

SC S0037

Public defenders allowed to carry concealable weapons within the State

SC H4124

DHEC Restructuring

SC H3776

Circuit Court Judges

SC H5243

Health Care Market Reform Measures Study Committee

SC S1106

Sarah Baker Johnson

SC S1211

Debi Price

SC H5407

South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act

SC H4757

Retirement of No. Chas. Mayor R. Keith Summey

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.