South Carolina General Assembly
123rd Session, 2019-2020

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Indicates New Matter

H. 4825

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Rep. Wooten
Document Path: l:\council\bills\cc\15662zw20.docx

Introduced in the House on January 14, 2020
Currently residing in the House Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions

Summary: Snakebite Awareness Month

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1/14/2020  House   Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 119)
   1/14/2020  House   Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial 
                        Resolutions (House Journal-page 119)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

1/14/2020

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-245 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS "SNAKEBITE AWARENESS MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 7,000 and 8,000 Americans are bitten by venomous snakes each year, and of those bitten, approximately five will die from their bite; and

Whereas, while not nearly as common in the United States as in other parts of the world, snakebites still pose a serious threat, and every state, with the exception of Alaska, is home to at least one species of venomous snake; and

Whereas, South Carolina is home to six species of venomous snakes: the coral snake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber (or canebrake) rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake, copperhead and cottonmouth, though only the copperhead and cottonmouth are

considered common or abundant; and

Whereas, venomous snakes are a component of South Carolina's environment and play a vital role in controlling rodent populations in many habitats; and

Whereas, while snakes are less active in the daytime during summer's hottest months, snakes increase their daytime activity during September, making it one of the peak months for snakebites in South Carolina; and

Whereas, because venomous snakes typically only use their venom in defense as a last resort, the best protection against snakebites is to be aware and vigilant. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION    1.    Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 53-3-245.    The month of September of every year is designated 'Snakebite Awareness Month' in South Carolina in order to raise awareness of snakebite injuries as well as highlight ways that snakebites can be prevented."

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

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This web page was last updated on January 17, 2020 at 11:08 AM