Current Status Bill Number:3662 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19950223 Primary Sponsor:Kirsh All Sponsors:Kirsh Drafted Document Number:PT\1724DW.95 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 25 HJ Subject:Ethics Commission
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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House 19950223 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-320, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A COMPLAINANT TO WAIVE THE RIGHT OF CONFIDENTIALITY TO MATTERS INVOLVING A COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE COMMISSION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 8-13-320(10)(b) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 184 of 1993, is further amended to read:
"(b) If the commission or its executive director determines that the complaint does not allege facts sufficient to constitute a violation, the commission shall dismiss the complaint and notify the complainant and respondent, and the entire matter must be stricken from public record unless the respondent or complainant, by written authorization, waives the confidentiality of the existence of the complaint and authorizes the release of information about the disposition of the complaint."
SECTION 2. Section 8-13-320(10)(g) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 184 of 1993, is further amended to read:
"(g) All investigations, inquiries, hearings, and accompanying documents must remain confidential until final disposition of a matter unless the respondent or complainant waives the right to confidentiality. The wilful release of confidential information is a misdemeanor, and any person releasing such confidential information, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.