S E N A T E A M E N D M E N T

   AMENDMENT NO. _____

MURPHY/

CREATEDATE \@ "MMMM d, yyyy" \* MERGEFORMAT April 22, 2026

ADOPTED		TABLED	CARRIED OVER	FAILED	RECONSIDERED

Clerk of the Senate

   ADOPTION NO. _____

BILL NO: H.5126  (Reference is to Printer's Date 04/21/26-S.)

04572000

 Senator TEDDER proposes the following amendment (5126R014.CM.DT.DOCX):

 Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:

/117.___(GP: Hate Crime Law Study Committee) (A) There is created the Hate Crime Law Study Committee to examine and analyze hate crime laws across the nation and application of similar laws within South Carolina.

 (B) The study committee shall be comprised of six members as follows: three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and three members appointed by the President of the Senate. The Speaker and the President of the Senate shall each designate one of their appointees to serve as co-chairs of the committee. Members of the committee shall have a background in criminal justice, law, or other relevant experience.

 (C) The General Assembly shall provide staffing and administrative support to the committee. Members of the committee shall receive no compensation but may receive per diem and mileage as provided by law for members of boards, commissions, and committees.

 (D) The Attorney General's Office, the Prosecution Coordination Commission, Solicitor's Offices, and other agencies as necessary shall provide documentation and data as requested by the study committee.

 (E) The committee's work shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

  (1) a review of current hate crime laws nationally, including conviction rates, sentencing data, effectiveness in reduction of crime, and enforcement;

  (2) an analysis of hate crime laws from similarly situated southeastern states and how they would apply in South Carolina if adopted within the South Carolina criminal justice system;

  (3) a comparison of hate crime laws in other states and any best practices or model legislation that could be adapted for South Carolina; and

  (4) specific legislative, regulatory, or policy recommendations as to whether a hate crime law should be adopted by South Carolina.

 (F) The committee shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of Judiciary, and the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee no later than January 15, 2027. /

 Renumber sections to conform.

 Amend sections, totals and title to conform.