S 0367 General Bill, By Knotts and Kuhn
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 23-1-235 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO INTENTIONALLY OR
 GIVE THE PRESUMPTION OF IMPERSONATING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, AND TO
 PROVIDE A PENALTY; AND BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-4495 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS
 UNLAWFUL FOR CERTAIN PERSONS TO DISPLAY CERTAIN COLORED LIGHTS ON THEIR
 PERSONALLY OWNED VEHICLES, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.

   02/13/03  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-4
   02/13/03  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-4

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 23-1-235 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO INTENTIONALLY OR GIVE THE PRESUMPTION OF IMPERSONATING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY; AND BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-4495 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR CERTAIN PERSONS TO DISPLAY CERTAIN COLORED LIGHTS ON THEIR PERSONALLY OWNED VEHICLES, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.

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

SECTION    1.    Chapter 1, Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 23-1-235.    (A)    A person who is not a certified law enforcement officer or an immediate family member of an active or retired certified state law enforcement officer may not apply for, or display a decal, vehicle license plate, emblem, insignia, agency or organization name, badge, button, decoration, charm, or rosette of a law enforcement agency or organization on a personal vehicle or on his person with the intent of misleading the public, or give the presumption that the person is a certified law enforcement officer.

(B)    When applying for an item contained in subsection (A), the person must present identification that verifies that he is a law enforcement officer.

(C)    Notwithstanding the provisions contained in subsection (A), a person may display any item contained in that subsection purchased or given to be displayed in exchange for a donation to a certified law enforcement organization such as a booster club member, or an associate or honorary member on behalf of a fundraising activity of another law enforcement organization.

(D)    A person who violates a provision contained in this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than thirty days."

SECTION    2.    Article 35, Chapter 1, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-5-4495.    (A)    It is unlawful for a person, to display on his personally owned vehicle colored lights on the hood, windshield, or roof of the vehicle. However, a person may display white, yellow, or amber lights on the front grill of the vehicle.

(B)    Notwithstanding the provisions contained in subsection (A), a volunteer firefighter may display red lights on his personally owned vehicle approved by his jurisdiction during an emergency situation.

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

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