A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 23-11-110, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS FOR SHERIFFS AND CANDIDATES FOR THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF, SO AS TO PROVIDE persons SEEKING THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF MUST BE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THEY SEEK THE OFFICE WHEN THEY FILE AS CANDIDATES.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 23-11-110(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (A) All sheriffs and candidates for sheriff in this State must have the following qualifications:

       (1) be a citizen of the United States;

       (2) be a resident of the county in which he seeks the office of sheriff for at least one year immediately preceding on the date he files as a candidateof the election for the office of sheriff;

       (3) be a registered voter;

       (4) have attained the age of at least twenty-one years prior to the date of his qualifying for election to the office;

       (5) have:

           (a) obtained a high school diploma, its recognized equivalent in educational training as established by the State Department of Education, and have at least five years experience as a Class 1 certified law enforcement officer; or

           (b) obtained a two-year associate degree and three years experience as a Class 1 certified law enforcement officer; or

           (c) obtained a four-year baccalaureate degree and one year experience as a Class 1 certified law enforcement officer; or

           (d) served as a summary court judge for at least ten years.

    For purposes of this section, a "Class 1 certified law enforcement officer" is a person who has been issued a certificate as a Class 1 law enforcement officer by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Council. A sheriff holding office on the effective date of this section is not required to have obtained the necessary experience as a certified law enforcement officer in this State;

       (6) have not been convicted of or pled guilty to a violation of Section 56-1-460 or 56-5-2930, or both, within the past ten years or a felony in this State or another state;

       (7) have not been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony or a crime of moral turpitude in this State or another state;

       (8) be fingerprinted and have the State Law Enforcement Division make a search of local, state, and federal fingerprint files for any criminal record. Fingerprints are to be taken under the direction of any law enforcement agency and must be made available to SLED no later than one hundred thirty days prior to the general election. The results of the records search are to be filed with the county executive committee of the person's political party. A person seeking nomination by petition must file the records search with the county election commission in the county of his residence; and

       (9) be eligible to be issued a certificate as a Class 1 law enforcement officer by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Council upon the commencement of the term of office. A sheriff holding office on the effective date of this section is exempt from the provisions in this item.

 

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

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