AARP South Carolina Celebrates 2026 State House Wins for Residents 50-Plus

Strengthening long-term care coordination

Another long-term care measure, H.3022, updates South Carolina’s Long-Term Care Council. The law revises agency references and allows data-sharing among member agencies that serve long-term care residents and older South Carolinians. It was signed May 15.

Why it matters: Long-term care involves many agencies, programs and providers. Better coordination can help the state identify needs, reduce gaps and improve how services are planned.

 

Supporting safer care settings

S.819 establishes tuberculosis screening and testing procedures for applicants and new employees who will have contact with residents in nursing homes and community residential care facilities. The bill was signed May 18.

Why it matters: Clear screening rules help protect residents, workers and families while giving facilities a consistent process to follow.

 

Expanding access to temporary disability placards

H.3842 allows physical therapists to certify that a person has a temporary disability for an initial temporary placard application. The bill was signed May 15.

Why it matters: When someone is recovering from surgery, an injury or another temporary condition, getting access to a temporary placard can make daily life easier and safer. This law expands who can help certify that need.

 

Building more livable communities

AARP South Carolina also supported livable community policies, including S.812, known as the Stop-as-Yield Law. Signed May 18, the law creates rules for bicyclists approaching certain traffic-control devices and stop signs.

Why it matters: Safe, connected transportation matters at every age. Livable communities give people more options to get where they need to go.

 

Helping families protect inherited property

H.4477, the Heirs’ Property Tax Relief Act, was signed May 15. The law helps qualified family members who are clearing title to heirs’ property by excluding certain transfers from being treated as assessable transfers of interest for property tax purposes.

Why it matters: Heirs’ property can create legal and financial challenges for families trying to keep inherited land or homes. This law can help reduce one barrier for families working to clear title and protect property passed down through generations.

 

Fighting fraud tied to cryptocurrency kiosks

AARP South Carolina also worked to raise awareness about fraud involving virtual currency kiosks, sometimes called crypto ATMs.

H.4592 would have required owners and operators of virtual currency kiosks to have money transmitter licenses and provide certain disclosures on kiosk screens. The bill was introduced but did not advance this session.

That does not mean the work stopped. AARP South Carolina engaged lawmakers, state agency leaders and law enforcement partners to build support for stronger consumer protections. We also helped bring attention to how criminals use crypto kiosks in fraud schemes. AARP South Carolina’s 2026 advocacy priorities noted that scammers may direct victims to use these machines because transactions can be fast and difficult to reverse.

 

Raising awareness through Consumer Protection Week

This session, AARP South Carolina hosted its inaugural Consumer Protection Week press conference at the South Carolina State House on March 4. The event brought together legislators, state and federal leaders, community advocates, volunteers and media to spotlight fraud prevention and consumer education.

AARP South Carolina also worked with Paul Greenwood, an AARP consultant; the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs; the Greenville Police Department; the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; the Attorney General’s Office; and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office to support specialized law enforcement training on reporting and prosecuting financial exploitation and cryptocurrency-related crimes.

Why it matters: Laws are important, but education and enforcement are also essential. Families need to know the warning signs of fraud. Law enforcement needs the tools to investigate it. Financial institutions need clear procedures to act when something looks wrong.

 

Watching utility costs and data center growth

AARP South Carolina also stayed engaged in issues that can affect household budgets.

We formally intervened in Dominion Energy South Carolina’s electric rate case before the Public Service Commission of South Carolina. AARP’s petition said our interest was focused on the impact of the requested rate increase on residential electric customers and on ensuring those customers are treated reasonably in the final order.

Dominion Energy South Carolina and parties in the case submitted proposed settlement agreements to the Public Service Commission on May 8.

AARP South Carolina also monitored legislation on data centers, including S.867, because large energy users can affect electric infrastructure, utility planning and costs for residential customers. AARP South Carolina has said it will continue watching the issue for its potential impact on utility affordability, transparency and consumer protections.

 

What this means for South Carolinians

The State House can feel far away from daily life. But this year’s work shows how public policy can affect real people in real ways.

It can help protect your savings. It can make it easier to find help in a crisis. It can support families with loved ones in long-term care. It can help residents recover, stay connected and live more independently. It can keep consumer affordability at the center of major decisions.

AARP South Carolina will continue to advocate for people 50-plus and their families. Our mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age — and that includes making sure their voices are heard at the State House.