Effort to study Hate Crime Law fails in South Carolina Senate

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina will remain one of the few states without a hate crime law after a proposal to study such legislation failed in the state Senate, despite renewed attention to rising hate crime reports and years of repeated attempts in the General Assembly.

The House has passed hate crime legislation multiple times over the past decade, but each effort has stalled in the Senate. This year, Democratic Sen. Deon Tedder of Charleston pursued a narrower approach, proposing the creation of a study committee to examine what a hate crime law could look like in South Carolina rather than advancing a bill outright.

Tedder said the absence of a state law sends a troubling message.

“When there is no state law that says hate-motivated crimes matter, that message of institutional indifference is heard loud and clear,” Tedder said.

Tedder cited recent FBI crime data showing a sharp increase in reported hate crimes across the state.

“In 2023, hate crimes in South Carolina rose nearly 100%. From a national FBI crime data report, it rose from 66 reported offenses in 2022 to 115 reported in 2023,” Tedder said.

The proposal failed to advance. Still, five Republican senators voted in favor of the study committee, a notable shift in a chamber that has consistently blocked hate crime legislation.

As a result, South Carolina will continue to stand among a small number of states without a hate crime law. And with the 2026 gubernatorial race underway, significant change appears unlikely.

At a recent Republican gubernatorial debate, most candidates publicly opposed passing a hate crime law.

Republican Sen. Josh Kimbrell of Spartanburg said such legislation could infringe on religious liberty.

“I will never pass a bill that’s going to restrict religious liberty,” Kimbrell said.

U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., was more direct.

“Should we pass a hate crimes law? Absolutely not,” Norman said.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette said she also opposes such legislation, noting she and Gov. Henry McMaster have discussed the issue for years.

“I would not support a hate crime bill,” Evette said.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., questioned the concept itself.

“There is no such thing as a hate crime, because every crime is a hate crime,” Mace said.

Attorney General Alan Wilson echoed similar concerns, saying he would oppose any bill he believes limits constitutional rights.

“As governor, I will never support a bill that criminalizes your free speech,” Wilson said.

Lowcountry businessman Rom Reddy criticized political leaders broadly, arguing the issue is fueled by division.

“All this division and hate is created by the political class because that’s what gives them all the power they have,” Reddy said.

With the legislative session nearing its end and the Senate showing little appetite for revisiting the issue, South Carolina is unlikely to adopt a hate crime law this year.