South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 3058
Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter
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Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter Committee Report April 2, 2025 H. 3058 Introduced by Reps. Wooten, Pope, Spann-Wilder, McCravy, Taylor, Cobb-Hunter, Govan, Erickson, Bradley and Guffey S. Printed 4/2/25--H. [SEC 4/4/2025 3:37 PM] Read the first time January 14, 2025 ________ The committee on House Judiciary To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3058) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 16-15-330 so as to define necessary terms for the offense of intentionally disseminating intimate images, etc., respectfully Report: That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment: Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 2, by striking Section 16-15-332(A), (B), and (C) and inserting: (A) A person who intentionally disseminates an intimate image or a digitally forged intimate image of another person without the effective consent of the depicted person is guilty of the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images. A person intentionally disseminates an intimate image or a digitally forged intimate image if he has knowledge that the image was obtained or created under circumstances when he knew or reasonably should have known the person depicted had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Any dissemination of multiple intimate images of the same individual as part of a common act is a single offense. The fact that the identifiable individual: (1) provided affirmative consent for the creation of the intimate image shall not establish that the individual provided effective consent for the dissemination of the intimate image; and (2) disclosed the intimate image to another individual shall not establish that the identifiable individual provided effective consent for the dissemination of the intimate image by the person alleged to have violated this section. (B) A person who violates the provisions of this section, with the intent to cause physical, mental, economic, or reputational harm to the individual portrayed in the image, or for the purpose of profit or pecuniary gain, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, for a: (1) first offense, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both; or (2) second or subsequent offense, after an intervening adjudication for a previous violation of the provisions of this section, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not less than one year but not more than ten years, or both. No part of the minimum sentence may be suspended nor probation granted. (C) Dissemination of multiple intimate images or digitally forged intimate images of the same individual may be considered separate and distinct offenses. A person who violates the provisions of this section, without the intent to cause physical, mental, economic, or reputational harm to the individual portrayed in the image, or for the purpose of profit or pecuniary gain, for a: (1) first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; or (2) second or subsequent offense, after an intervening adjudication for a previous violation of the provisions of this section, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. Renumber sections to conform. Amend title to conform. W. NEWTON for Committee. statement of estimated fiscal impact Explanation of Fiscal Impact State Expenditure This bill creates a new felony offense for the intentional dissemination of intimate images or digitally forged intimate images without effective consent and establishes a penalty schedule including a fine and imprisonment. The bill also provides that dissemination of multiple images of the same individual may be considered separate and distinct offenses and prohibits duplication of such images for the purpose of criminal discovery requests and motions. Commission of the noted offense comprises a separate offense and does not preclude charges under other applicable provisions of law. This bill may result in an increase in the number of general sessions court cases, and potentially the number of incarcerations, which may increase the workload of the court system and the Commission of Indigent Defense, the Commission on Prosecution Coordination, Corrections, and PPP. Judicial indicates that the increase in the caseload in general sessions court is expected to be managed within existing appropriations. However, if this bill results in a significant increase in the workload additional General Fund appropriations may be requested. The potential increase in expenses for each agency will depend upon the increase in the number of cases and number of incarcerations. These agencies indicate that if this bill results in a significant increase in the workload, then an increase in General Fund appropriations may be requested. For information, according to Corrections, in FY 2023-24, the annual total cost per inmate was $40,429, of which $36,553 was state funded. State Revenue This bill may result in a change in the fines and fees collected in court. Court fines and fees are distributed to the General Fund, Other Funds, and local funds. Therefore, RFA anticipates this bill may result in a change to General Fund and Other Funds revenue due to the change in fines and fees collections in court. Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office _______
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
Committee Report
April 2, 2025
H. 3058
Introduced by Reps. Wooten, Pope, Spann-Wilder, McCravy, Taylor, Cobb-Hunter, Govan, Erickson, Bradley and Guffey
S. Printed 4/2/25--H. [SEC 4/4/2025 3:37 PM]
Read the first time January 14, 2025
________
The committee on House Judiciary
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3058) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 16-15-330 so as to define necessary terms for the offense of intentionally disseminating intimate images, etc., respectfully
Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 2, by striking Section 16-15-332(A), (B), and (C) and inserting:
(A) A person who intentionally disseminates an intimate image or a digitally forged intimate image of another person without the effective consent of the depicted person is guilty of the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images. A person intentionally disseminates an intimate image or a digitally forged intimate image if he has knowledge that the image was obtained or created under circumstances when he knew or reasonably should have known the person depicted had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Any dissemination of multiple intimate images of the same individual as part of a common act is a single offense. The fact that the identifiable individual:
(1) provided affirmative consent for the creation of the intimate image shall not establish that the individual provided effective consent for the dissemination of the intimate image; and
(2) disclosed the intimate image to another individual shall not establish that the identifiable individual provided effective consent for the dissemination of the intimate image by the person alleged to have violated this section.
(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section, with the intent to cause physical, mental, economic, or reputational harm to the individual portrayed in the image, or for the purpose of profit or pecuniary gain, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, for a:
(1) first offense, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both; or
(2) second or subsequent offense, after an intervening adjudication for a previous violation of the provisions of this section, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not less than one year but not more than ten years, or both. No part of the minimum sentence may be suspended nor probation granted.
(C) Dissemination of multiple intimate images or digitally forged intimate images of the same individual may be considered separate and distinct offenses. A person who violates the provisions of this section, without the intent to cause physical, mental, economic, or reputational harm to the individual portrayed in the image, or for the purpose of profit or pecuniary gain, for a:
(1) first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; or
(2) second or subsequent offense, after an intervening adjudication for a previous violation of the provisions of this section, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
W. NEWTON for Committee.
statement of estimated fiscal impact
Explanation of Fiscal Impact
State Expenditure
This bill creates a new felony offense for the intentional dissemination of intimate images or digitally forged intimate images without effective consent and establishes a penalty schedule including a fine and imprisonment.
The bill also provides that dissemination of multiple images of the same individual may be considered separate and distinct offenses and prohibits duplication of such images for the purpose of criminal discovery requests and motions. Commission of the noted offense comprises a separate offense and does not preclude charges under other applicable provisions of law.
This bill may result in an increase in the number of general sessions court cases, and potentially the number of incarcerations, which may increase the workload of the court system and the Commission of Indigent Defense, the Commission on Prosecution Coordination, Corrections, and PPP. Judicial indicates that the increase in the caseload in general sessions court is expected to be managed within existing appropriations. However, if this bill results in a significant increase in the workload additional General Fund appropriations may be requested. The potential increase in expenses for each agency will depend upon the increase in the number of cases and number of incarcerations. These agencies indicate that if this bill results in a significant increase in the workload, then an increase in General Fund appropriations may be requested. For information, according to Corrections, in FY 2023-24, the annual total cost per inmate was $40,429, of which $36,553 was state funded.
State Revenue
This bill may result in a change in the fines and fees collected in court. Court fines and fees are distributed to the General Fund, Other Funds, and local funds. Therefore, RFA anticipates this bill may result in a change to General Fund and Other Funds revenue due to the change in fines and fees collections in court.
Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director
Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office
_______
A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-15-330 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS FOR THE OFFENSE OF INTENTIONALLY DISSEMINATING INTIMATE IMAGES OR DIGITALLY FORGED INTIMATE IMAGES WITHOUT EFFECTIVE CONSENT; AND BY ADDING SECTION 16-15-332 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF INTENTIONALLY DISSEMINATING INTIMATE IMAGES OR DIGITALLY FORGED INTIMATE IMAGES WITHOUT EFFECTIVE CONSENT, TO PROVIDE GRADUATED PENALTIES, AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: SECTION 1. Article 3, Chapter 15, Title 16 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding: Section 16-15-330. For purposes of Section 16-15-332, the term: (1) "Digitally forged intimate image" means any intimate image of an identifiable individual that appears to a reasonable person to be indistinguishable from an authentic visual depiction of the individual, and that is generated or substantially modified using machine-learning techniques or any other computer-generated or machine-generated means to falsely depict an individual's appearance or conduct, regardless of whether the visual depiction indicates, through a label or some other form of information published with the visual depiction, that the visual depiction is not authentic. (2) "Effective consent" means the affirmative, conscious, and voluntary authorization by an individual with legal capacity to give authorization. The disclosure of the intimate image or digitally forged intimate image by the identifiable individual to another person is not sufficient effective consent under this section. (3) "Identifiable individual" means the identity of the depicted person through an intimate image or digitally forged intimate image, or whose identity can be determined through any accompanying or subsequent information or material related to the visual material. (4) "Intimate image" means any still or videographic image of an identifiable individual that depicts wholly or partially uncovered genitals, pubic area, anus, or postpubescent female nipple or areola of an individual, the display or transfer of semen or vaginal secretion, or sexually explicit conduct. SECTION 2. Article 3, Chapter 15, Title 16 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding: Section 16-15-332. (A) A person who intentionally disseminates an intimate image or a digitally forged intimate image of another person without the effective consent of the depicted person is guilty of the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images. A person intentionally disseminates an intimate image or a digitally forged intimate image if he has knowledge that the image was obtained or created under circumstances when he knew or reasonably should have known the person depicted had a reasonable expectation of privacy. (B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, for a: (1) first offense, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both; or (2) second or subsequent offense, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not less than one year but not more than ten years, or both. No part of the minimum sentence may be suspended nor probation granted. (C) Dissemination of multiple intimate images or digitally forged intimate images of the same individual may be considered separate and distinct offenses. (D) Intimate images or digitally forged intimate images cannot be duplicated for the purpose of criminal discovery requests and motions. (E) A violation of this section is not a lesser-included offense of any other applicable offense but is a separate offense and does not preclude charges under another applicable provision of law. (F) The provisions of this section do not apply to any intimate image or digitally forged intimate image created by law enforcement pursuant to a criminal investigation which is otherwise lawful. SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. ----XX----
A bill
TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-15-330 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS FOR THE OFFENSE OF INTENTIONALLY DISSEMINATING INTIMATE IMAGES OR DIGITALLY FORGED INTIMATE IMAGES WITHOUT EFFECTIVE CONSENT; AND BY ADDING SECTION 16-15-332 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF INTENTIONALLY DISSEMINATING INTIMATE IMAGES OR DIGITALLY FORGED INTIMATE IMAGES WITHOUT EFFECTIVE CONSENT, TO PROVIDE GRADUATED PENALTIES, AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 3, Chapter 15, Title 16 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
Section 16-15-330. For purposes of Section 16-15-332, the term:
(1) "Digitally forged intimate image" means any intimate image of an identifiable individual that appears to a reasonable person to be indistinguishable from an authentic visual depiction of the individual, and that is generated or substantially modified using machine-learning techniques or any other computer-generated or machine-generated means to falsely depict an individual's appearance or conduct, regardless of whether the visual depiction indicates, through a label or some other form of information published with the visual depiction, that the visual depiction is not authentic.
(2) "Effective consent" means the affirmative, conscious, and voluntary authorization by an individual with legal capacity to give authorization. The disclosure of the intimate image or digitally forged intimate image by the identifiable individual to another person is not sufficient effective consent under this section.
(3) "Identifiable individual" means the identity of the depicted person through an intimate image or digitally forged intimate image, or whose identity can be determined through any accompanying or subsequent information or material related to the visual material.
(4) "Intimate image" means any still or videographic image of an identifiable individual that depicts wholly or partially uncovered genitals, pubic area, anus, or postpubescent female nipple or areola of an individual, the display or transfer of semen or vaginal secretion, or sexually explicit conduct.
SECTION 2. Article 3, Chapter 15, Title 16 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
Section 16-15-332. (A) A person who intentionally disseminates an intimate image or a digitally forged intimate image of another person without the effective consent of the depicted person is guilty of the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images. A person intentionally disseminates an intimate image or a digitally forged intimate image if he has knowledge that the image was obtained or created under circumstances when he knew or reasonably should have known the person depicted had a reasonable expectation of privacy.
(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, for a:
(1) first offense, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both; or
(2) second or subsequent offense, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not less than one year but not more than ten years, or both. No part of the minimum sentence may be suspended nor probation granted.
(C) Dissemination of multiple intimate images or digitally forged intimate images of the same individual may be considered separate and distinct offenses.
(D) Intimate images or digitally forged intimate images cannot be duplicated for the purpose of criminal discovery requests and motions.
(E) A violation of this section is not a lesser-included offense of any other applicable offense but is a separate offense and does not preclude charges under another applicable provision of law.
(F) The provisions of this section do not apply to any intimate image or digitally forged intimate image created by law enforcement pursuant to a criminal investigation which is otherwise lawful.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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