Charleston County could soon join a growing list of local governments in South Carolina adopting measures to address hate-motivated crimes, as the county council prepares to consider a new hate intimidation ordinance.
What the Ordinance Proposes
The ordinance, scheduled for its first reading Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., would create a separate offense for crimes committed against individuals based on their:
Ethnicity or national origin
Race or color
Religion
Sexual orientation
Gender
Physical or mental disability
If approved, violators could face:
Up to a $500 fine, or
Up to 30 days in jail
Local Momentum for Hate Crime Ordinances
If passed, Charleston County would become the third county in South Carolina to enact such a measure, following Richland and Orangeburg counties, which approved similar ordinances earlier this summer.
Several municipalities across the state — including Charleston, Georgetown, Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, and Summerville — have also passed hate crime or hate intimidation laws in recent years.
Statewide Context
South Carolina remains one of only two states in the U.S. without a statewide hate crime law, along with Wyoming. Repeated attempts to pass a bill in the state Senate have stalled, prompting local governments to act on their own.
Why It Matters
Supporters say the ordinance would:
Send a strong message that hate-based crimes will not be tolerated
Provide local enforcement tools in the absence of a statewide law
Strengthen protections for vulnerable communities across Charleston County
The council will continue to debate the proposal in upcoming meetings before a final vote.
