South Carolina General Assembly
121st Session, 2015-2016

RATIFICATION OF ACTS

FOR JUNE 02, 2015

Pursuant to an invitation the Honorable Speaker and House of Representatives appeared in the Senate Chamber on June 02, 2015, at 5:00 P.M. and the following Acts and Joint Resolutions were ratified:

(R80, S. 3 (Word version)) -- Senators L. Martin, Shealy, Malloy, Courson, Fair, Turner, Lourie and Hembree: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REFORM ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 16-25-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES, SO AS TO DEFINE OTHER NECESSARY TERMS; TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-600, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ASSAULT AND BATTERY OFFENSES, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "MODERATE BODILY INJURY" TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 16-25-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES, SO AS TO RESTRUCTURE THE OFFENSES BY GRADUATING THE PENALTIES INTO DEGREES, DEFINE THE ELEMENTS OF EACH DEGREE, AND PROVIDE A NEW PENALTY STRUCTURE, AMONG OTHER THINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 16-25-65, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OF A HIGH AND AGGRAVATED NATURE, SO AS TO RESTRUCTURE THE OFFENSE, REDEFINE THE ELEMENTS OF THE OFFENSE, AND TO RESTRUCTURE THE PENALTY; TO AMEND SECTION 16-1-60, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CRIMES DEFINED AS VIOLENT, SO AS TO INCLUDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE FIRST DEGREE AS A VIOLENT CRIME; TO AMEND SECTION 17-25-45, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO OFFENSES DEFINED AS "MOST SERIOUS" AND "SERIOUS", SO AS TO ADD THE OFFENSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OF A HIGH AND AGGRAVATED NATURE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE FIRST DEGREE TO THE LIST OF "SERIOUS" OFFENSES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-7-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO UNIFORM TRAFFIC TICKETS, SO AS TO INCLUDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE SECOND AND THIRD DEGREE OFFENSES TO THE LIST OF ADDITIONAL OFFENSES FOR WHICH A UNIFORM TRAFFIC TICKET MAY BE ISSUED; TO AMEND SECTION 16-25-30, RELATING TO POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A PERSON CONVICTED OF CERTAIN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR PERSONS CONVICTED OF CERTAIN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES TO SHIP, TRANSPORT, RECEIVE, OR POSSESS A FIREARM OR AMMUNITION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND PROVIDE A TIME FRAME FOR THE RESTORING OF RIGHTS REGARDING SHIPPING, TRANSPORTING, RECEIVING, OR POSSESSING A FIREARM OR AMMUNITION; TO AMEND SECTION 17-15-30 AND SECTION 22-5-510, BOTH AS AMENDED, RELATING TO MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN DETERMINING CONDITIONS OF RELEASE ON BOND AND BOND HEARINGS AND INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED TO THE COURT, RESPECTIVELY, BOTH SO AS TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO CONSIDER IF RELEASE ON BOND WOULD CONSTITUTE AN UNREASONABLE DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY OR AN INDIVIDUAL, TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN A PERSON IS CHARGED WITH A VIOLATION OF CERTAIN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES THAT A BOND HEARING MAY NOT PROCEED WITHOUT THE PERSON'S CRIMINAL RECORD AND INCIDENT REPORT, OR THE PRESENCE OF THE ARRESTING OFFICER, AND TO REQUIRE BOND HEARINGS FOR THESE VIOLATIONS TO BE HELD WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS AFTER ARREST; TO AMEND SECTION 17-15-10, RELATING TO PERSONS WHO MAY BE RELEASED PENDING TRIAL, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO CONSIDER IF RELEASE ON BOND WOULD CONSTITUTE AN UNREASONABLE DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY OR AN INDIVIDUAL; TO AMEND SECTION 16-25-120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RELEASE OF A PERSON ON BOND WHO IS CHARGED WITH A VIOLENT OFFENSE OR WHEN THE VICTIM IS A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE COURT MUST CONSIDER CERTAIN FACTORS BEFORE RELEASING A PERSON ON BOND; TO AMEND SECTION 17-15-50, RELATING TO AMENDMENT OF AN ORDER RELATING TO BOND, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THE COURT WITH JURISDICTION OF THE OFFENSE MAY AMEND THE ORDER AT ANY TIME; TO AMEND SECTION 17-15-55, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO BOND AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE CIRCUIT COURT TO REVOKE BOND UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE PURPOSE OF BOND REVOCATION ONLY THAT A SUMMARY COURT HAS CONCURRENT JURISDICTION WITH THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR TEN DAYS FROM THE DATE BOND IS FIRST SET ON A CHARGE BY THE SUMMARY COURT TO DETERMINE IF BOND SHOULD BE REVOKED; TO AMEND SECTION 16-25-70, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO WARRANTLESS ARREST OR SEARCH FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSE, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT THE MANDATED LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSE MUST BE DOCUMENTED ON AN INCIDENT REPORT FORM WHICH MUST BE MAINTAINED BY THE INVESTIGATING AGENCY; TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1110, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE ARTICLE ON COMPENSATION OF VICTIMS OF CRIME, SO AS TO INCLUDE MINOR WITNESSES TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSE IN THE DEFINITION OF "VICTIM"; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA VOUCHER PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CHILDCARE SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN COURT HEARINGS RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; TO AMEND SECTION 17-22-90, RELATING TO PRETRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMS AND AGREEMENTS REQUIRED BY OFFENDERS IN A PROGRAM, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE CIRCUIT SOLICITOR, OR ATTORNEY GENERAL IF APPROPRIATE, TO SELECT AND APPROVE A BATTERER'S TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR USE AS PART OF PRETRIAL INTERVENTION FOR CERTAIN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES; BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 25, TITLE 16 SO AS TO CREATE THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO DECREASE THE INCIDENCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE, AND TO EXEMPT CERTAIN MEETINGS AND INFORMATION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND PROVIDE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATED TO THE INVESTIGATION AND REVIEW OF INCIDENCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY THE COMMITTEE; BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 25, TITLE 16 SO AS TO RECODIFY THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 43-1-260, RELATING TO COMMUNITY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCILS, WITHIN ARTICLE 5; TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SUBJECTS TAUGHT IN THE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM, SO AS TO ADD THE SUBJECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BEGINNING WITH THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR; TO REPEAL SECTION 43-1-260 RELATING TO COMMUNITY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCILS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 18 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16 SO AS TO CREATE PROVISIONS REGARDING PERMANENT RESTRAINING ORDERS, TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING PERMANENT RESTRAINING ORDERS AND EMERGENCY RESTRAINING ORDERS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 22-5-910, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS, SO AS TO INCLUDE FIRST OFFENSE CONVICTIONS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE THIRD DEGREE IN THE PURVIEW OF THE STATUTE AFTER FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF CONVICTION.

(R81, S. 261 (Word version)) -- Senator Thurmond: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-111-320, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROVISIONS ALLOWING PERSONS AGE SIXTY AND OVER TO ATTEND STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION WITHOUT PAYMENT OF TUITION, SO AS TO REMOVE CRITERIA PROVIDING THESE PERSONS MAY RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION AS FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

(R82, S. 301 (Word version)) -- Senator Alexander: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 40-2-10, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY, SO AS TO REVISE THE BOARD'S COMPOSITION; TO AMEND SECTION 40-2-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTANCY, SO AS TO REVISE CERTAIN DEFINITIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 40-2-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ACTIVITIES REQUIRING LICENSURE OR FIRM REGISTRATION, SO AS TO REPLACE A REFERENCE TO THE TERM "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" WITH THE WORD "INFORMATION" AND TO ADD AN APPROPRIATE CROSS-REFERENCE; TO AMEND SECTION 40-2-35, RELATING TO CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO UNDERGO CERTAIN STATE AND FEDERAL CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS, TO REQUIRE CONTINUING EDUCATION OR ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE, AS APPLICABLE, FOR APPLICANTS WHO DELAY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD OF TIME AFTER PASSING THE CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING EXAMINATION OR OBTAINING ACCOUNTING EXPERIENCE, AND TO PROVIDE A NECESSARY DEFINITION; TO AMEND SECTION 40-2-40, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF THE FIRM OWNERSHIP MUST BE CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, TO PROVIDE QUALIFICATIONS AND CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NONCERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT FIRM OWNERS, TO DELETE PROHIBITIONS AGAINST OWNERSHIP BY INVESTORS AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES, AND TO GIVE THE BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY THE DISCRETION TO CHARGE RELATED FEES; TO AMEND SECTION 40-2-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION MAY REQUIRE STATE AND FEDERAL CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS IN CONDUCTING SUCH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS, TO PROHIBIT USE OF CERTAIN CRIMINAL CHARGE DISMISSALS OR RESTITUTION PAYMENTS AS EVIDENCE OF MISCONDUCT SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE RECOVERY OF RELATED COSTS; TO AMEND SECTION 40-2-250, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LICENSE RENEWALS, TO PROVIDE THAT RENEWAL APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY FIRST, TO GIVE THE BOARD DISCRETION TO CHARGE RELATED FEES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT LATE FILINGS MAY RESULT IN LAPSE, REINSTATEMENT FEES, AND SANCTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 40-2-255, RELATING TO REGISTRATION RENEWALS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT RENEWAL APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY FIRST, TO GIVE THE BOARD DISCRETION TO CHARGE RELATED FEES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT LATE FILINGS MAY RESULT IN LAPSE AND SANCTIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-2-560, RELATING TO ISSUANCE OF LICENSES, SO AS TO ADD A CROSS-REFERENCE.

(R83, S. 437 (Word version)) -- Senators Campsen, Reese, Gregory, Hutto, Cleary, Campbell, Cromer, Young, Bryant, Williams, Bennett, Johnson, Hembree, O'Dell, Davis, Fair, Hayes and Verdin: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-29-240 SO AS TO ENACT THE "JAMES B. EDWARDS CIVICS EDUCATION INITIATIVE", TO DEFINE THE TERM "CIVICS TEST", TO REQUIRE ALL STUDENTS OF PUBLIC OR CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THIS STATE TO TAKE THE CIVICS TEST PRODUCED BY THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES AS PART OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT REQUIRED CREDIT, TO ALLOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO RECOGNIZE STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE A PASSING GRADE ON THE TEST, TO DIRECT THE RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS TO REPORT RESULTS TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR INCLUSION IN THE REPORT CARD FOR EACH SCHOOL, TO PROVIDE NO SCHOOL OR SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY CHARGE A FEE FOR THE TEST, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION APPLY TO ANY STUDENT ENTERING THE NINTH GRADE BEGINNING WITH THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR.

(R84, S. 592 (Word version)) -- Senator Campsen: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 50-11-710, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE HUNTING OF FERAL HOGS, COYOTES, AND ARMADILLOS AT NIGHT, SO AS TO RESTRUCTURE THE EXISTING PROVISIONS THAT REGULATE THE HUNTING OF THESE ANIMALS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE NIGHT HUNTING OF THESE ANIMALS BY A PERSON WITH A CENTER FIRE RIFLE USING CENTER FIRE AMMUNITION OR SUBSONIC CENTER FIRE AMMUNITION.

(R85, H. 3083 (Word version)) -- Reps. Huggins, Kennedy, Clary, Corley, Weeks, Whipper and Gilliard: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA OVERDOSE PREVENTION ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 130 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO ALLOW CERTAIN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO PRESCRIBE OPIOID ANTIDOTES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BELIEVES IN GOOD FAITH ARE AT RISK OF EXPERIENCING AN OPIOID OVERDOSE, TO REQUIRE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONAL INFORMATION TO A PERSON TO WHOM THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL PRESCRIBES AN OPIOID ANTIDOTE, TO ALLOW PHARMACISTS TO DISPENSE OPIOID ANTIDOTES PURSUANT TO A PRESCRIPTION, TO ALLOW CAREGIVERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS TO ADMINISTER OPIOID ANTIDOTES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO THE CAREGIVER OR FIRST RESPONDER BELIEVES IN GOOD FAITH ARE AT RISK OF EXPERIENCING AN OPIOID OVERDOSE, TO ALLOW PRESCRIBERS TO PRESCRIBE STANDING ORDERS FOR OPIOID ANTIDOTES TO FIRST RESPONDERS AND FOR FIRST RESPONDERS TO POSSESS THESE OPIOID ANTIDOTES, AND TO PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FROM CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR PRESCRIBING, DISPENSING, OR ADMINISTERING OPIOID ANTIDOTES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

(R86, H. 3264 (Word version)) -- Rep. Taylor: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 137 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF "AMERICAN RED CROSS SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES".

(R87, H. 3880 (Word version)) -- Reps. Ott, Hixon, Pitts, Riley and Johnson: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 50-11-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CERTAIN TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS THAT RELATE TO THE MIGRATORY WATERFOWL COMMITTEE, THE CREATION OF THE COMMITTEE, ITS MEMBERSHIP, AND RESPONSIBILITIES, SO AS TO INCREASE ITS MEMBERSHIP BY ONE WHO SHALL BE A DESIGNEE OF DELTA WATERFOWL OF SOUTH CAROLINA WHO IS NOT A PAID EMPLOYEE.

(R88, H. 3888 (Word version)) -- Reps. Cole, Allison, Brannon, Chumley, Forrester, Hicks, Mitchell and Tallon: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-490, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO CONSOLIDATE AND RENAME CERTAIN PRECINCTS, AND TO REDESIGNATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE NAMES OF THESE PRECINCTS MAY BE FOUND AND MAINTAINED BY THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE.

(R89, H. 4166 (Word version)) -- Reps. Pitts and Willis: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 779 OF 1988, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LAURENS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 55 AND 56, SO AS TO REAPPORTION THE SEVEN SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM WHICH MEMBERS OF LAURENS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 56 MUST BE ELECTED, TO DESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THESE SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS ARE DELINEATED, AND TO PROVIDE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE REAPPORTIONED ELECTION DISTRICTS.

Last Updated: June 2, 2015 at 6:24 PM