South Carolina H.4651: Making an Alienating Parent Pay the Costs
This page is general information about a pending bill, not legal advice. For how this would apply to a specific case, consult an attorney licensed in South Carolina.
Bill: SC H.4651 (2025-2026) • South Carolina • In committee (House Judiciary) • Last checked: June 2026
South Carolina H.4651 is a child-custody bill that would add a new section, 63-15-115, to state law. If a court finds that a parent engaged in parental alienation, the bill would require that parent to reimburse the other parent for the costs the alienation created. It is in committee.
Estrangement caused by genuine abuse is not parental alienation. A cost-shifting remedy only applies after a court has actually found alienating conduct, and it should never fall on a parent who was protecting a child from harm.
What this bill is
H.4651 adds a financial remedy to South Carolina custody law. Alienation cases are expensive for the parent on the receiving end: lawyers, evaluators, reunification therapy, supervised visitation. This bill shifts those specific costs onto the parent a court finds responsible for the alienating behavior.
Why it matters for parental alienation
Concrete financial consequences attached directly to a finding of alienation are rare. Most family-law tools respond to alienation by adjusting custody or parenting time; H.4651 adds a money remedy on top of that. It signals that the legislature views alienation as misconduct that imposes real, measurable harm, and it could ease a common problem: a targeted parent running out of money before a case is resolved.
What the bill would do
If a court finds a party engaged in parental alienation, the bill requires that party to reimburse the targeted parent for reasonable attorney’s fees tied to the alienating behavior; the cost of supervised visitation, reunification therapy, counseling, parenting facilitation, and similar court-ordered services; and the fees of court-appointed professionals such as custody evaluators, parenting coordinators, and guardians ad litem. A court could waive reimbursement only on clear and convincing evidence of undue financial hardship that outweighs the need for accountability and the child’s best interests. These remedies would be in addition to any other sanctions or custody and visitation changes.
Where it stands
H.4651 was prefiled in December 2025 and introduced on January 13, 2026, when it was referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. It remains in committee, and no floor vote has been scheduled. Many bills at this stage never receive a committee hearing, so its survival this session is not assured.
Updates
January 2026
H.4651 was introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. What it means: the bill is at the earliest active stage. Its future depends on getting a committee hearing this session.
Common questions
Would H.4651 punish a parent just for a child not wanting visits? No. The reimbursement only follows a court finding that a parent engaged in parental alienation, which is a specific finding of conduct, not simply a child’s reluctance.
What costs could be reimbursed? Attorney’s fees tied to the alienating behavior, the cost of reunification therapy and supervised visitation, and the fees of court-appointed professionals like evaluators and guardians ad litem.
Is it law yet? No. As of June 2026 it is in committee and has not received a floor vote.
Sources
- South Carolina State House, H.4651 (2025-2026). https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4651.htm
If you are struggling right now
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
- NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264
Author: Alex Buckles (PAC Founder) • Last reviewed: June 6, 2026
