SOUTH CAROLINA REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE
S
TATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT
(803)734-3780 ▪ RFA.SC.GOV/IMPACTS
This fiscal impact statement is produced in compliance with the South Carolina Code of Laws and House and Senate rules. The focus of
the analysis is on governmental expenditure and revenue impacts and may not provide a comprehensive summary of the legislation.
Page 1 of 2
S. 0143
Fiscal Impact Summary
This bill changes the definition for a household member to add persons who are currently or have
been in a dating relationship, which expands the classes of persons who may petition for an order
of protection pursuant to §20-4-40. This bill also modifies who may petition for an order of
protection on behalf of a household minor.
This bill may result in an increased caseload in family and magistrate courts. However, Judicial
anticipates any increase in caseload can be managed using existing resources.
Additionally, the increase in caseloads in family and magistrate courts may result in an increase
in the fines and fees collected in court. Court fines and fees are distributed to the General Fund,
Other Funds, and local funds. Therefore, the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (RFA)
anticipates this bill may result in an increase to General Fund, Other Funds, and local revenue
due to the increase in fines and fees collections in court.
Explanation of Fiscal Impact
Introduced on January 14, 2025
State Expenditure
This bill changes the definition for a household member to add persons who are currently or have
been in a dating relationship, which expands the classes of persons who may petition for an order
of protection. Additionally, this bill specifies that a parent, guardian, custodian, legal counsel, or
other appropriate adult may petition the court for an order of protection on behalf of a household
minor. Currently, any household member may petition the court for this order of protection for a
minor.
Judicial anticipates this bill may increase the caseloads in family and magistrate courts but
anticipates any increase in caseload can be managed using existing resources.
State Revenue
This bill may increase the caseload in family and magistrate courts. This may result in an
increase 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 an
Bill Number: S. 0143 Introduced on Januar
y 14, 2025
Author: Devine
Subject: Household Member & Datin g Relationship
Requestor: Senate Judiciary
RFA Analyst(s): Vesely
Impact Date: January 27, 2025
__________________________________
Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director
DISCLAIMER: THIS FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT REPRESENTS THE OPINION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE
AGENCY OFFICIAL WHO APPROVED AND SIGNED THIS DOCUMENT. IT IS PROVIDED AS INFORMATION TO
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN EXPRESSION OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT.
Page 2 of 2
S. 0143
increase to General Fund and Other Funds revenue due to the increase in fines and fees
collections in court.
Local Expenditure
This bill may increase the caseload in family and magistrate courts; however, Judicial anticipates
any increase in caseload due to this bill can be managed within existing local resources for the
magistrates court.
Local Revenue
This bill may increase the caseload in family and magistrate courts. This may result in an
increase 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 an
increase to local revenue due to the increase in fines and fees collections in court.