H 3006 General Bill, By J.L.M. Cromer, Altman, Bailey, Haskins, J. Hines, 
Inabinett, Lloyd, Meacham, Moody-Lawrence, Seithel and Stille
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 39-5-37 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS AN "UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACT OR PRACTICE IN
 THE CONDUCT OF TRADE OR COMMERCE" FOR A REPAIR BUSINESS TO FAIL TO RETURN
 DAMAGED OR REMOVED PARTS FROM A COMMERCIAL ITEM, OR TO FAIL TO FURNISH THE
 SERIAL OR IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS, FOLLOWING THE OWNER'S
 REQUEST FOR THE PARTS OR FOR THE SERIAL OR IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS.

   12/11/96  House  Prefiled
   12/11/96  House  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
   01/14/97  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-12
   01/14/97  House  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry HJ-12

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 39-5-37 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS AN "UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACT OR PRACTICE IN THE CONDUCT OF TRADE OR COMMERCE" FOR A REPAIR BUSINESS TO FAIL TO RETURN DAMAGED OR REMOVED PARTS FROM A COMMERCIAL ITEM, OR TO FAIL TO FURNISH THE SERIAL OR IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS, FOLLOWING THE OWNER'S REQUEST FOR THE PARTS OR FOR THE SERIAL OR IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS.

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

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 39-5-37. It is an `unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of any trade or commerce' under Section 39-5-20 for any person engaged in the business of repairing any item bought and sold in trade or commerce (1) to fail to return to the owner of the item any damaged or removed part from the item, or (2) to fail to furnish to the owner the serial or identification number of any replacement part for the item, following in either case the owner's request that such part be returned or that such serial or identification number be furnished."

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