Current Status Bill Number:4022 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19970410 Primary Sponsor:Jennings All Sponsors:Jennings and Allison Drafted Document Number:psd\7246ac.97 Companion Bill Number:679 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 25 HJ Subject:Out-of-court statements of children under twelve in family court proceedings, minors under twelve may also make
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved ______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________ House 19970410 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ referred to CommitteeView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO AMEND SECTION 19-1-180, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO OUT-OF-COURT STATEMENTS OF CHILDREN UNDER AGE TWELVE FOR USE IN FAMILY COURT PROCEEDINGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH STATEMENTS ALSO MAY BE MADE BY A CHILD WHO FUNCTIONS COGNITIVELY, ADAPTIVELY, OR DEVELOPMENTALLY UNDER THE AGE OF TWELVE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 19-1-180(A) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 649 of 1988 is amended to read:
"(A) An out-of-court statement made by a child under twelve years of age or by a child who functions cognitively, adaptively, or developmentally under the age of twelve at the time of the family court proceeding brought pursuant to Section 20-7-610 or 20-7-736 concerning an act of abuse or neglect as defined by Section 20-7-490 that is not otherwise admissible in evidence is admissible in the family court proceeding if the requirements of this section are met."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.