The bill, which went into effect with Sanford's signature, outlaws stalking, luring or otherwise enticing children online.

South Carolina already has laws against acts committed by sexual predators, but until Monday the state had no law prohibiting online solicitation. Law enforcement officials have said that loophole allowed some predators to lure children into dangerous situations.

Passage of the bill, sponsored by state Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, has been one of S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster's top priorities.

"A new war is being launched today," McMaster said of the bill signing. "Now that we have this weapon, we intend to use it vigorously to hunt these people down. We will catch them before they touch our children."

The new law makes it a felony for adults to coerce people under 18 into sexual activity, regardless of physical contact. Predators can't escape conviction if the child they're soliciting turns out to be a police officer in a sting operation.

The new law also increases maximum penalties for all obscenity offenses involving minors.

"We've got an obligation to protect folks in this state, a responsibility that is absolutely central to preserving the unique quality of life we enjoy here in South Carolina," Sanford said. "...We've got to make our state a safer place, and this new law does a lot to get us there."

Also this year, McMaster has taken aim at the spread of meth labs in state, the blood sport of dog fighting and environmental crimes committed by businesses.

McMaster's environmental crime bill, which would expand the powers of the state grand jury, passed the S.C. House of Representatives earlier this month. It is now in the Senate.

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