2003-2004 Bill 4429: Name Changes, Minors - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly

115th Session, 2003-2004

H. 4429

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill

Sponsors: Reps. Lucas and Cotty

Document Path: l:\council\bills\pt\1695ahb04.doc

Introduced in the House on January 13, 2004

Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary

Summary: Name changes, minors

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

DateBodyAction Description with journal page number

12/3/2003HousePrefiled

12/3/2003HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary

1/13/2004HouseIntroduced and read first time HJ70

1/13/2004HouseReferred to Committee on JudiciaryHJ71

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

12/3/2003

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 154910, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO AN APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SO AS TO ADD FACTORS FOR THE FAMILY COURT TO CONSIDER IN AN ACTION TO CHANGE THE SURNAME OF A MINOR CHILD.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION1.Section 154910 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 344 of 1990, is further amended by adding:

“(C)In an action to change the surname of a minor child the family court in determining the best interests of the child, shall consider factors including, but not limited to the:

(1)length of time the child has used the present surname;

(2)effect of the proposed change on the preservation and development of the child’s relationship with each parent;

(3)identification of the child as part of a family unit;

(4)wishes of the parents;

(5)stated reason for the proposed change;

(6)motive of the parents;

(7)the possibility that the use of a different name will cause insecurity or lack of identity;

(8)difficulty, harassment, or embarrassment the child may experience when the child has a surname different from that of the custodial parent;

(9)preference of the child, if the child is of an age and maturity to express a meaningful preference; and

(10)degree of community respect associated with the present and proposed surnames.”

SECTION2.This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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