S.C. Code Ann. § 20-7-2900 – Application of the law; church or religious childcare centers

(A) No church congregation or established religious denomination or religious college or university which does not receive state or federal financial assistance for childcare services may operate a childcare center or group childcare home unless it complies with the requirements for registration and inspection and the regulations for health and fire safety as set forth in Sections 20-7-2910 through 20-7-2975 and requirements applicable to private and public childcare centers and group childcare homes for floor space, child-staff ratios, and staff training. Application for registration must be made on forms supplied by the department and in the manner it prescribes. Registration expires two years from the date of issuance of the statement of registration. Registration may be renewed according to the procedures developed by the department.
(B) Before issuing a registration, the department shall conduct an investigation of the applicant. This investigation is limited to:
1. (1) the results of the criminal history review required by subsection (G);
2. (2) the requirements for registration and inspection and the regulations for health and fire safety provided for in Sections 20-7-2910 through 20-7-2975; and
3. (3) requirements applicable to private and public childcare centers and group childcare homes for floor space, child-staff ratios, and staff training.
(C) No license or registration may be issued to a church congregation, established religious denomination, or religious college or university if a person who provides service as an operator, caregiver, or employee at the childcare facility has been convicted of:
1. (1) a crime listed in Chapter 3 of Title 16, Offenses Against the Person;
2. (2) a crime listed in Chapter 15 of Title 16, Offenses Against Morality and Decency;
3. (3) the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, contained in Section 16-17-490;
4. (4) the felonies classified in Section 16-1-10(A);
5. (5) the offenses enumerated in Section 16-1-10(D); or
6. (6) a criminal offense similar in nature to the crimes listed in this subsection committed in other jurisdictions or under federal law.
  This section does not prohibit licensing, registration, or the renewal of a license or registration when a conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere for one of the crimes enumerated in this subsection has been pardoned. However, notwithstanding the entry of a pardon, the department may consider all information available, including the person's pardoned convictions or pleas and the circumstances surrounding them, to determine whether the person is unfit or otherwise unsuited to be an operator, caregiver, or employee.
(D) Application forms for licensure or registration issued under this subarticle must include, at the top of the form in large bold type, a statement indicating that a person who has been convicted of a crime enumerated in this section who applies for a license or registration as operator is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(E) A person applying for a license or registration as an operator of a church or religious childcare center shall undergo a state fingerprint review to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division to determine any state criminal history and a fingerprint review to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine any other criminal history. The fingerprint reviews required by this subsection are not required upon each renewal.
(F) Application forms for licensure or registration issued under this chapter by the department and application forms for employment at a facility operated by a church congregation, established religious denomination, or religious college or university must include, at the top of the form in large bold type, a statement indicating that a person who has been convicted of one of the crimes listed in this section who applies for a license as operator, applies for employment with, is employed by, seeks to provide caregiver services with, or is a caregiver at a facility is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(G) A person applying for a license or registration as an operator of a church or religious childcare center or seeking employment or seeking to provide caregiver services at a church or religious childcare center shall undergo a state fingerprint review to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division to determine any state criminal history and a fingerprint review to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine any other criminal history. The fingerprint reviews required by this subsection are not required upon each renewal unless the renewal coincides with employment of a new operator, employee, or caregiver.
(H) A person applying for renewal of a license or registration as an operator of a church or religious childcare center licensed or registered under this chapter and a person employed or registered under this chapter, who has not done so previously, on the first renewal after June 30, 1996, shall undergo a state fingerprint review to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division to determine any state criminal history and a fingerprint review to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine any other criminal history.