Committee moves bill to remove prohibition on minors playing pinball machines

A South Carolina committee voted to advance a bill that would repeal a provision of state code making it unlawful for an individual under 18 to play a pinball machine and would remove playing pinball from the state's list of juvenile status offenses.

Cindy (speaker 11) summarized the measure, explaining it would repeal the code section that treats playing pinball as a status offense. Committee members asked for legislative history and context about why the prohibition exists; one member described the restriction as "arbitrary" without additional background. The chair noted the measure originated from Representative Rutherford and discussed a historical practice linking pinball rules to pool-hall tournaments.

Connolly Ann Ragley, speaking from research experience, described the prohibition as an archaic remnant: her academic research found that when pool-hall restrictions were struck from the code years ago, the pinball provision was left behind. Ragley said DSS does not track youth involvement with pinball as a status offense and recommended members seek legislative history before a final vote.

A member moved for favorable passage; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The chair said the bill will be moved to full committee.