H 4470 General Bill, By Cobb-Hunter
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 16-3-1095 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE CRIME OF INTERFERENCE WITH THE OPERATOR OF A
 PUBLIC TRANSIT VEHICLE AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION OF THIS
 CRIME; AND BY ADDING SECTION 58-23-110 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN MOTOR
 PROPELLED VEHICLES MUST DISPLAY A NOTICE THAT STATES THAT ANY PERSON WHO
 ASSAULTS OR HARMS CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TRAVELING ON THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS GUILTY
 OF A CRIME.

   01/09/02  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-6
   01/09/02  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-6

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1095 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE CRIME OF INTERFERENCE WITH THE OPERATOR OF A PUBLIC TRANSIT VEHICLE AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION OF THIS CRIME; AND BY ADDING SECTION 58-23-110 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN MOTOR PROPELLED VEHICLES MUST DISPLAY A NOTICE THAT STATES THAT ANY PERSON WHO ASSAULTS OR HARMS CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TRAVELING ON THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS GUILTY OF A CRIME.

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

SECTION    1.    The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 16-3-1095.    (A)    As used in this section 'public transit vehicle' means a public paratransit vehicle that provides service to disabled individuals, a transit vehicle that transports individuals in return for legally charged fees or fares, a school bus, or a taxi.

    (B)    A person commits the offense of interference with the operator of a public transit vehicle when he interferes with the operation of a public transit vehicle or lessens the ability of its operator to operate the public transit vehicle by:

        (1)    intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to the operator of the public transit vehicle; or

        (2)    threatening, by word or conduct, to cause bodily injury to the driver of the public transit vehicle with the intent to terrorize the operator of the public transit vehicle.

    (C)    A person who violates a provision contained in this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than twenty years."

SECTION    2.    The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 58-23-110.    A notice must be prominently displayed in each motor propelled vehicle used in the business of transporting persons for compensation over any improved public highway in this State that contains the following words:

    'A person who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to the operator of a public transit vehicle, or threatens by words or conduct to cause bodily injury to the operator of a public transit vehicle with the intent to terrorize the operator of the public transit vehicle is guilty of committing the offense of interference with the operator of a public transit vehicle and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than twenty years'."

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.