COLUMBIA, SC - South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (R) held a ceremonial signing of a new human trafficking law on Thursday. Bill s.142 expands the definition of human trafficking to include crimes against minors.

This is the latest move in the battle to help law enforcement stop human trafficking in South Carolina. The state Attorney General's office reported over 350 human trafficking investigations in 2023. 

“Protecting our children and victims of human trafficking is essential to building safe communities and allowing our state to continue to thrive,” Gov. McMaster said. “By enacting this legislation, we are not only defending our people but equipping our prosecutors and law enforcement with additional tools to ensure criminals are held accountable.”

With the signing of the bill, luring of a child (anyone under 16 years old) is now a felony offense.