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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 8 TO TITLE 23 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO PARTICIPATES AS A MEMBER OF A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH OR CRIME WATCH MUST SUCCESSFULLY UNDERGO A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 23-8-10. Notwithstanding another provision of law, before a person may participate as a member of a neighborhood watch or crime watch, he must, at his expense, successfully undergo a SLED criminal background check, and a mental health evaluation conducted by the Department of Mental Health.
Section 23-8-20. A person who violates a provision contained in this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars.
Section 23-8-30. As used in this chapter, 'neighborhood watch' and 'crime watch' means an organized group of citizens devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within a neighborhood."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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