H 3562 Session 112 (1997-1998)
H 3562 General Bill, By Fleming, Barrett, Battle, J.M. Baxley, Gamble, Hamilton,
Knotts, Leach, Limehouse, McKay, J.D. McMaster, Neilson, Riser, Sandifer,
Seithel, Simrill, F. Smith, Trotter, Vaughn, Walker, Whatley and W.J. Young
A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 23-3-490, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
1976, RELATING TO THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY AND PROCEDURES FOR RELEASING
INFORMATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT INFORMATION BE MADE PUBLIC ON INDIVIDUALS
REQUIRED TO REGISTER THAN TO REQUIRE THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION UPON REQUEST
REGARDING A SPECIFIC PERSON AND TO DELETE THE PROVISION AUTHORIZING A SHERIFF
TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION ON A PERSON IF IT IS BELIEVED THE RELEASE WILL
DETER THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
02/27/97 House Introduced and read first time HJ-84
02/27/97 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-84
A BILL
TO AMEND SECTION 23-3-490, AS AMENDED, CODE OF
LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SEX
OFFENDER REGISTRY AND PROCEDURES FOR RELEASING
INFORMATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT INFORMATION
BE MADE PUBLIC ON INDIVIDUALS REQUIRED TO
REGISTER RATHER THAN TO REQUIRE THE RELEASE OF
INFORMATION UPON REQUEST REGARDING A SPECIFIC
PERSON AND TO DELETE THE PROVISION AUTHORIZING
A SHERIFF TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION ON A PERSON
IF IT IS BELIEVED THE RELEASE WILL DETER THE
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South
Carolina:
Section 1. Section 23-3-490, of the 1976 Code, as last amended
by Act 444 of 1996, is further amended to read:
"Section 23-3-490. (A) Information collected for the offender
registry is open to public inspection, upon request to the
county sheriff. A sheriff must release shall
make public information regarding a specific person who
is individuals required to register under this article to
a member of the public if the request is made in writing, stating the
name of the person requesting the information, and the name or
address of the person about whom the information is sought. The
information must be disclosed only to the person making the
request. The sheriff must provide the person making the request
with the full name of the offender, any aliases, the date of birth, a
current home address, the offense for which the offender was
required to register pursuant to Section 23-3-430, and the date, city,
and state of conviction. A photocopy of a current photograph also
must also be provided. The provisions of this article do not
authorize SLED to release information to the public unless a request
is made in writing stating the name of the person making the request
and the name of the person about whom information is sought.
SLED is only authorized to release to the public the name of the
county in which the offender is registered. Otherwise, SLED is not
authorized to release any information contained in the registry to
anyone other than law enforcement agencies, investigative agencies,
and those agencies authorized by the court.
(B) Nothing in subsection (A) prohibits a sheriff from
disseminating information contained in that subsection regarding a
specific person who is required to register under this article if the
sheriff or another law enforcement officer is presented with facts
giving rise to a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and
has reason to believe the release of this information will deter the
criminal activity.
(C) For purposes of this article, information on a juvenile
adjudicated delinquent in family court for an offense listed in Section
23-3-430 must not be made available to the public."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
-----XX----- |