South Carolina § 63-15-344 - Unjustifiable jurisdiction.

§ 63-15-344. Unjustifiable jurisdiction.

(A) Except as otherwise provided in Section 63-15-336 or by other law of this State, if a court of this State has jurisdiction under this article because a person seeking to invoke its jurisdiction has engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to exercise its jurisdiction unless:

(1) the parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced in the exercise of jurisdiction;

(2) a court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334 determines that this State is a more appropriate forum under Section 63-15-342; or

(3) no court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334.

(B) If a court of this State declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (A), it may fashion an appropriate remedy to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child custody proceeding is commenced in a court having jurisdiction under Sections 63-15-330 through 63-15-334.

(C) If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because it declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (A), it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction necessary and reasonable expenses including costs, communication expenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and childcare during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees are sought establishes that the assessment would be clearly inappropriate. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against this State unless authorized by law other than this article.

HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, SECTION 2.