S.0823

South Carolina S0823 mandates family courts to consider no-contact or supervised-contact orders during adoptions and parental rights terminations.

South Carolina S0823 amends the state code to require family courts to evaluate the need for no-contact or supervised-contact orders when finalizing adoptions or terminating parental rights. Courts must consider factors such as history of violence, abuse allegations, child's preference, and relationship quality. If deemed necessary, courts may include these orders in final decrees to protect the child's safety and attachment to the adoptive family. A violation of a no-contact order can be enforced by civil contempt and referred for criminal investigation.