South Carolina

South Carolina FOIA

Formally: South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (Open Meetings)

S.C. Code Ann. §§ 30-4-10 to 30-4-110

Read the statute →

Sunshine Score: 47/100 (moderate)
47/100

Sunshine Score

47/100
Weak
Methodology v0.1
Advance Notice 1 day, online posting required
Public Comment Not required, remote allowed, written accepted
Closed Sessions 5 permitted categories
Minutes Required
Recording Not required
Remote Participation Allowed
Enforcement Voidable, legislature exempt

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings
1 day
Special Meetings
1 day
Emergency Meetings
0 hours

Online posting: Required

Post agenda at least 24 hours before meeting on public bulletin board and website; post calendar of regular meetings at beginning of year; no items may be added without additional 24 hours notice

Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — unanimous consent

Public Participation

Public Comment
Not required
Written Comment
Allowed

South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code § 30-4-10 et seq.) does not mandate a public comment period. Public bodies set their own comment policies.

Virtual Meetings

Member Remote Participation
Allowed
Counts Toward Quorum
Yes
Public Remote Comment
Allowed

Allowed under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-20; 'meeting' includes convening 'by means of electronic equipment.' Quorum of members may convene remotely. Meetings must be open to the public. Agenda must be posted 24 hours in advance on public website.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required
Yes

Online posting: Not required

Content requirements: date, time, location, members present, all actions taken (S.C. Code § 30-4-80)

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required
No
Broadcast Required
No

Enforcement

Violation Effect
Voidable
Max Civil Penalty
$200
Standing to Sue
Any citizen
Enforcement Body
Circuit Court

Scope

This law applies to:

  • City
  • County
  • School District
  • Special District

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Accessibility & Language Access

ADA accessibility: ADA Title II applies to all public meetings. The state statute does not add requirements beyond federal law; reasonable accommodations must be provided on request.

Language access: No statutory language-access mandate beyond federal Civil Rights Act Title VI obligations for recipients of federal funds.

Sources & References

Notes

| minutes_publication_days: NULL — S.C. Code §30-4-90 requires that minutes be made available 'within a reasonable time' but specifies no deadline in days.

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The specific rules for South Carolina may differ from this general description. Consult the full statute for details.