BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — Congresswoman Nancy Mace, whose district includes large portions of Berkeley County and whose district office sits on Daniel Island, is pushing new legislation that would ban registered sex offenders from federally funded shelters — a move she says is about protecting the community’s most vulnerable.
Mace, a Republican representing South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, introduced the Safe Shelters for Survivors Act of 2026 in Washington on Friday, taking a hardline stance on who can access taxpayer-supported domestic violence and homeless shelters.
“Survivors fleeing abuse shouldn’t have to look over their shoulder in the one place designed to keep them safe,” Mace said. “The last thing a woman escaping violence or a homeless family in crisis needs is to find a registered sex offender in the next bed.”
A direct impact on Lowcountry communities
The proposal carries particular weight in Berkeley County and across the Lowcountry, where many families rely on federally funded shelters during times of crisis.
South Carolina ranks sixth in the nation for domestic violence, and on any given night, about 4,600 people across the state are experiencing homelessness — many turning to shelters for safety and stability.
Mace argues those spaces should be strictly off-limits to individuals listed on the National Sex Offender Registry.
What the bill would do
The legislation outlines sweeping restrictions:
- Prohibits registered sex offenders from entering or receiving services at federally funded shelters
- Strips federal funding from shelters that fail to comply
- Requires offenders to immediately disclose their status if they enter a facility
- Imposes penalties of fines and up to five years in prison for violations
- Allows shelters to redirect individuals to non-federally funded alternatives
If passed, the policy would take effect 180 days after enactment, giving shelters time to implement new procedures.
Safety vs. access debate ahead
Mace framed the bill as a necessary safeguard for women and families escaping abuse, emphasizing that federally funded shelters should be places of absolute security.
“These federally funded shelters house our most vulnerable, and there is zero reason taxpayer dollars should ever fund a shelter housing a predator,” she said.
The proposal is expected to ignite debate on Capitol Hill, with critics likely to question how the policy could affect efforts to address homelessness and rehabilitation.
For now, Mace is drawing a firm line — one that could directly shape how shelters operate in Berkeley County and beyond.
