S 0956 General Bill, By Knotts, Ford, Vaughn, Scott, Drummond and Hawkins
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 56-5-1370 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN
 ACCIDENT THAT RESULTS IN THE INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A DOG, CAT, OR HORSE
 SHALL STOP THE VEHICLE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND REPORT THE ACCIDENT TO
 THE PROPER LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO
 VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR.

   01/08/08  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-77
   01/08/08  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-77
   01/15/08  Senate Referred to Subcommittee: Hutto (ch), Jackson,
                     Knotts, Massey

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-1370 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTS IN THE INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A DOG, CAT, OR HORSE SHALL STOP THE VEHICLE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND REPORT THE ACCIDENT TO THE PROPER LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR.

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

SECTION    1.    Article 9, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-5-1370.    The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident that results in the injury to or death of a dog, cat, or horse immediately shall stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to it as possible. He shall remain at the accident scene until a report of the accident is filed with the appropriate law enforcement agency. However, he temporarily may leave the accident scene to report the accident to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The stop must be made without obstructing traffic more than necessary. A person who fails to comply with the provisions contained in this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars."

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