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AARP South Carolina's 2026 State Advocacy Priorities

AARP South Carolina advocates are hard at work fighting for the issues that matter most to older adults across our state

AARP

Published March 03, 2026

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The 2026 South Carolina Legislature is in full swing—and AARP South Carolina advocates are hard at work fighting for the issues that matter most to older adults across our state. This year, we are focused on protecting consumers, supporting family caregivers, and ensuring affordability.

These priorities come directly from concerns we hear from members like you: rising utility costs, caregiving challenges, and growing threats of fraud and financial exploitation.

Below are AARP South Carolina’s top legislative priorities for 2026—along with why each issue matters to older adults and their families.

Virtual Currency Kiosks – H 4592

Protecting older adults from fast‑growing fraud schemes

This bill amends state law by establishing standards for Virtual Currency Kiosks. These machines located in convenience stores, gas stations, and retail locations allow people to purchase digital assets like Bitcoin.

The legislation would:

Require kiosk owners and operators to hold a Money Transmitter License
Mandate clear on‑screen disclosures about fees, exchange rates, and fraud risks
Define digital assets and kiosk operations to close regulatory gaps

Why this matters for older adults:

Criminals often instruct scam victims to “pay” through crypto ATM kiosks because transactions are fast, untraceable, and irreversible.
Fees can be extremely high—sometimes up to 20% or more.
Older adults are increasingly targeted by virtual currency scams.

This bill provides essential protections to help prevent fraud and exploitation.

211 Network Transfer – H 4704 and S 697

Strengthening access to essential community services

These bills transfer the statewide SC 211 information and referral network to the Department of Consumer Affairs, enhancing oversight and expanding funding. This network is accessible by simply dialing 2-1-1 from any phone.

What 211 does:

Offers 24/7 live assistance connecting people to health, housing, transportation, food, and social services
Supports emergency response during weather events, disasters, and crises
Connects older adults to services that help them remain independent

Why this matters for older adults:

Many seniors don’t know where to begin when seeking help — 211 provides a simple, direct lifeline.
It reduces isolation by connecting individuals to meals, caregiver support, and utility assistance.
Strengthened oversight ensures reliable, easy‑to‑access assistance statewide.

Dominion Energy’s Proposed Rate Increase

Keeping utilities fair and affordable

Dominion Energy has proposed a 12.7% rate increase that may raise the average residential bill by about $20 per month beginning July 2026. The Public Service Commission will review the proposal with public hearings scheduled for Spring 2026.

Why this matters for older adults:

Many older adults live on fixed incomes and cannot absorb rising utility costs.
Higher bills force difficult choices between food, medications, and essentials.
Rate increases, compound overtime, further straining household budgets.

AARP fights for fair, justified, and affordable energy rates.

While the hearings will be hosted by the Public Service Commission which is not a legislative body, energy bills continue to be discussed at the legislature that we are watching to prevent bills from freely passing that give utilities a blank check to your wallets.

Data Center Development Act – S 867

This bill creates a statewide permitting system, environmental standards, and a new Data Center Development Office to regulate how large data centers are sited, built and operating in South Carolina.

Why this matters for older adults:

Data centers drive massive new energy demand
Many older adults live on fixed incomes and cannot afford utilities shifting the costs onto residential customers
Data centers must pay their full cost of service and infrastructure upgrades

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Practice Authority – H 3580, S 45

Expanding access to healthcare in rural and underserved communities

This bill grants full practice authority to qualified APRNs by removing the requirement for a physician practice agreement.

What the bill provides:

Allows APRNs to diagnose, treat, and prescribe independently
Expands telehealth options for patients statewide
Establishes malpractice insurance standards

Why this matters for older adults, caregivers, and rural residents:

APRNs are often the only healthcare providers serving some rural areas.
Reduces long wait times and travel distances for older adults.
Supports caregivers through improved chronic disease management and care coordination.
Strengthens South Carolina’s healthcare workforce and increases access to timely, quality care.

SNAP / DSS Staffing & Technology Funding

Protecting food access for vulnerable older residents

Federal changes may require South Carolina to increase state funding for SNAP operations. This proposal supports DSS with necessary staffing, technology upgrades, and compliance improvements.

Why this matters for older adults:

SNAP helps low-income seniors purchase nutritious food while living on fixed incomes.
Many eligible older adults experience delays due to outdated systems or insufficient staffing.
Updated technology and adequate staffing ensure timely processing and reliable access to food assistance.

Other Key Priorities We Are Actively Watching

AARP South Carolina is also driving solutions and support policies that impact older adults’ health, financial security and independence.

Expanded Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
Funding for in‑home supports, respite care, and long‑term services that help older adults remain safely at home.

Strengthening South Carolina’s Brain Health Network
Investments in the statewide brain health network and the brain health hospital and rehabilitation project to improve dementia diagnosis, care, and research.

Expanding Affordable and Accessible Housing
Policies that increase affordable housing options, support home repairs, and promote age‑friendly design.

Encouraging More Age‑Friendly Communities
Support for local governments in developing strong, well‑planned age‑friendly strategies.

Improving Transit Funding—Especially in Rural Areas
Expanded rural transit access so older adults can reach healthcare, groceries, employment, and essential services.

Digital Connectivity for All Households
Broadband expansion to ensure every resident can participate in telehealth, education, community engagement, and online services.

Addressing Questionable Long‑Term Care Discharges
Stronger oversight of inappropriate or unsafe discharges from nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Strengthening the Paid Caregiver Workforce
Improved wages, benefits, training, and career pathways for paid caregivers.

Tax Credits for Unpaid Family Caregivers
State tax credits to help offset significant out‑of‑pocket caregiving costs.

South Carolina’s Rapid Population Growth Requires an Age‑Ready Response

South Carolina is one of the fastest‑growing states in the nation—and a significant portion of this growth is among older adults, including a growing number of people aging solo, without immediate family support.

As the state studies growth, development, and infrastructure needs, particular attention must be paid to the realities of an aging population:

More older adults living alone
More older adults needing accessible housing
More demand for transportation, caregivers, and healthcare
More need for communities designed to support aging in place

We must all work together to strengthen an age‑friendly ecosystem—one that supports residents of every age and ability, and ensures that older South Carolinians can live, age, and thrive in their communities.