South Carolina General Assembly
112th Session, 1997-1998

Bill 88

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter 

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       88
Type of Legislation:               General Bill GB
Introducing Body:                  Senate
Introduced Date:                   19970114
Primary Sponsor:                   Holland 
All Sponsors:                      Holland 
Drafted Document Number:           s-jud\holland\jud9006.dhh
Residing Body:                     House
Current Committee:                 Judiciary Committee 25 HJ
Subject:                           Harassment defined to include
                                   electronic contact, Crimes and
                                   Offenses
History


Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

House   19970212  Introduced, read first time,             25 HJ
                  referred to Committee
Senate  19970211  Read third time, sent to House
Senate  19970206  Read second time
Senate  19970205  Committee report: Favorable              11 SJ
Senate  19970114  Introduced, read first time,             11 SJ
                  referred to Committee
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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

February 5, 1997

S. 88

Introduced by Senator Holland

S. Printed 2/5/97--S.

Read the first time January 14, 1997.

THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 88), to amend Section 16-3-1700, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to harassment and stalking, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

ADDISON G. WILSON, for Committee.

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

1. Estimated Cost to State-First Year$ - 0 -

2. Estimated Cost to State-Annually Thereafter$ - 0 -

This bill expands the current definition of harassment as visual, physical or verbal contact to include electronic contact. Expanding the definition would have no impact on the General Fund of the State.

Approved By:

Michael L. Shealy

Office of State Budget

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1700, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO HARASSMENT AND STALKING, SO AS TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF HARASSMENT TO INCLUDE ELECTRONIC CONTACT.

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

SECTION 1. Section 16-3-1700(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A) `Harassment' means a pattern of intentional, substantial, and unreasonable intrusion into the private life of a targeted person that causes the person and would cause a reasonable person in his position to suffer mental distress. Harassment may include, but is not limited to:

(1) following the targeted person as he moves from location to location;

(2) visual, physical, electronic, or verbal contact that is initiated, maintained, or repeated after a person has been provided notice that the contact is unwanted;

(3) surveillance of or the maintenance of a presence near the targeted person's:

(a) residence;

(b) place of work;

(c) school; or

(d) another place regularly occupied by the targeted person; and

(4) vandalism and property damage.

Harassment does not include words or conduct that is protected by the Constitution of this State or the United States, and does not apply to law enforcement officers or process servers performing their official duties."

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

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