Our children should be able to play and learn at South Carolina schools, parks, and playgrounds without fear of dangerous adults. yet, current state law leaves dangerous gaps that allow registered sex offenders convicted of serious child-related crimes to legally be present in these areas.

South Carolina's residency restriction law (23-3-535) only applies to five specific offenses and ONLY limits where someone can live. It does NOT prevent temporary presence, visiting, or loitering near schools, parks, or playgrounds once parole supervision ends. Many other serious offenders- including criminal solicitation of a minor (16-15-342), possession or distribution of child sexual abuse material, and other forms of sexual exploitation of minors- require sex offender registration but trigger no residency restriction and no ban on being present in child-frequented areas.

This loophole is not theoretical; it played out right here in Upstate South Carolina. In April 2026, residents of Williamston (Anderson County) discovered that a registered sex offender convicted of multiple counts of solicitation of a minor was regularly attending Friday evening worship services, services that included the distribution of toys to children, at Mineral Spring Park as part of the Mobile Outreach Ministry. Social media posts raised alarms, leading to the closure of the park to prevent potential conflict and ensure public safety on April 10th, 2026. Williamston Police and Mayor Rockey Burgess unfortunately and publicly confirmed that the individual's presence was not violating any law: his offense does not trigger the residency restriction, and he was merely present (not residing) at the park. As a result, officials could not legally remove him. One mother expressed her concern to reporters, saying the offender "probably shouldn't be within so many feet or yards from children."

This incident mirrors broader problems highlighted in February 2026 news investigations, where registered sex offenders were found living legally near schools and parks across South Carolina due to the narrow list of triggering offenses and grandfathering exemptions. Probations or parole conditions may restrict presence temporarily, but those protections end after supervision. Once free from oversight, many offenders with histories involving minors can legally go wherever they want- including the very places our kids frequent every day.

Enough is enough. We need stronger, commonsense protections that close these loopholes and prioritize child safety over loopholes in the law.

The state of South Carolina must take immediate action to close this dangerous loophole in House Bill 4683. We implore lawmakers to amend the legislation to specifically prohibit registered sex offenders with child-related crimes from being present or loitering near schools, parks, playgrounds, and other areas where children gather. This is not just a concern for families in Williamston; it is a statewide issue that affects every parent, child, and community in South Carolina. We acknowledge that everyone deserves a chance to reform, but the safety of our children should always take precedence. It's time to strengthen our laws to ensure no child feels unsafe in their community parks and playgrounds. H. 4683 must be amended to reflect this urgent necessity.

Please join me in urging the state of South Carolina to protect our children and secure the future of our neighborhoods. Sign this petition to demand the immediate amendment of H. 4683. Let us work together to close this loophole and build a protective shield around all spaces where our children grow and thrive.

Here's what you can personally do:

Sign today- 

Every signature adds pressure and shows lawmakers that South Carolina families demand stronger protections for our children. Share this petition in your local SC groups, mention it at PTA meetings, church communities, Facebook pages, etc.

Contact your elected official- 

Representative Blake Sanders has recently proposed a bill to remove sex offenders from public parks, but this is only the first step. Reach out to YOUR local representatives:

• (1) Go to https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php , 
• (2) enter your address and/or FULL 9-digit zip code (example: 29697-1402) and find your South Carolina State Senator and Representative as well as Chairman Rep. Wm. Weston J. Newton, who is the gatekeeper for H. 4683 and decides schedules and what amendments get considered,
• (3) create a polite message to send to your representative. Unsure what to say? Here is an example:  

"Dear [Lawmaker name or Representative/Senator], As a concerned community member in [your town/city], I support strengthening H. 4683 to close dangerous loopholes in our sex offender laws. Current law (23-3-535) only restricts residency for five specific crimes and does nothing to stop temporary presence or loitering near schools, parks, and playgrounds. Offenses like solicitation of a minor and child sexual abuse material often require registration but provide no such protections for our children. Recent examples across the state, including the April 2026 Mineral Spring Park incident in Williamston show why children remain at risk. Please add language to H. 4683 banning temporary presence and loitering near schools, parks, playgrounds, and child-frequent areas for all registrants with child-related offenses. our kids deserve real safety, not just narrow residency rules.

Sincerely, [your full name, your city/town and county, and optionally, your contact info]"

Track the bill and stay involved- 

Monitor H. 4683 at scstatehouse.gov (search 4683). If a hearing is scheduled, submit written testimony or attend if possible. When we reach 1,000+ signatures, printed copies will be delivered to the Judiciary Committee and your legislators.

local action-

Contact your County Council members or town officials and ask them to pass a resolution urging the state legislature to act quickly.

Child safety is a bipartisan priority. Your voice matters and together, we can turn recent events into lasting change that protects kids across South Carolina.