Bill 4474

                    Current Status

Introducing Body:               House
Bill Number:                    4474
Primary Sponsor:                Snow
Committee Number:               25
Type of Legislation:            GB
Subject:                        Civil actions, attorneys'
                                fees
Residing Body:                  House
Current Committee:              Judiciary
Computer Document Number:       GJK/20219SD.94
Introduced Date:                19940112
Last History Body:              House
Last History Date:              19940112
Last History Type:              Introduced, read first time,
                                referred to Committee
Scope of Legislation:           Statewide
All Sponsors:                   Snow
                                Law
                                Riser
Type of Legislation:            General Bill

Bill  Body    Date          Action Description              CMN  Leg Involved
____  ______  ____________  ______________________________  ___  ____________

4474  House   19940112      Introduced, read first time,    25
                            referred to Committee

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 15-37-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS SHALL BE TAXED AGAINST A NONPREVAILING PARTY BRINGING A CIVIL ACTION SEEKING DAMAGES FOR INJURIES HE SUSTAINED DURING THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME FOR WHICH HE WAS CONVICTED OR TO WHICH HE PLED GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDRE AND TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON REFERRED TO ABOVE WHO HAS NOT PAID SUCH ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS IS PROHIBITED FROM BRINGING ANY FURTHER ACTIONS IN THE COURTS OF THIS STATE ARISING OUT OF THAT INCIDENT OR OCCURRENCE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 15-37-25. (A) Any person bringing a civil action seeking damages for injuries he sustained during the commission of a crime for which he was convicted or to which he pled guilty or nolo contendre must pay the attorneys' fees and costs of the prevailing party in an amount determined by the court if he is the nonprevailing party.

(B) Any person against whom attorneys' fees and costs have been taxed pursuant to subsection (A) who has not paid such fees and costs is prohibited from bringing any further actions in the courts of this State arising out of that incident or occurrence."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.