A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-8-230, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE CRIMINAL GANG PREVENTION ACT, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-8-240, RELATING TO USE OF OR THREAT OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY CRIMINAL GANG MEMBERS AND PENALTIES, SO AS TO REVISE THE STATUTE AND ESTABLISH UNLAWFUL CRIMINAL GANG ACTIVITY OFFENSES; BY ADDING SECTION 16-8-245 SO AS TO PROVIDE ADMISSIBILITY OF CRIMINAL GANG AND CRIMINAL GANG ACTIVITY EVIDENCE DURING A TRIAL OR PROCEEDING; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-8-250, RELATING TO PREVENTING WITNESSES OR VICTIMS FROM TESTIFYING AND PENALTIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM TO ABATE A PUBLIC NUISANCE OF REAL PROPERTY USED BY A CRIMINAL GANG; BY ADDING SECTION 16-8-275 SO AS TO PROVIDE ADMISSIBILITY IN A CRIMINAL PROCEEDING OF THE ACCUSED'S COMMISSION OF CRIMINAL GANG ACTIVITY; BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 8, TITLE 16 SO AS TO ENACT THE "ANTI-RACKETEERING ACT", TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE DEFINITIONS FOR THE ANTI-RACKETEERING ACT, TO PROVIDE IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO ENGAGE IN RACKETEERING ACTIVITY, TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR ENGAGING IN RACKETEERING ACTIVITY, TO PROVIDE THAT THE CIRCUIT COURT MAY ENJOIN VIOLATIONS OF THE ANTI-RACKETEERING ACT BY ISSUING APPROPRIATE ORDERS, TO ESTABLISH JURISDICTION FOR RACKETEERING ACTIVITY, AND TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM DISCLOSURE OF INFORMANTS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 14-7-1630, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE GRAND JURY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, SO AS TO ADD THE CRIME OF RACKETEERING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE GRAND JURY.
This bill defines "recovery community organization" (RCO) in South Carolina law as an independent, nonprofit group led by people with lived experience of overcoming substance use disorder. It specifies that RCOs must mobilize resources, provide peer support, and advocate for policies improving long-term recovery from addiction. The definition creates a clear legal framework for recognizing these community-led organizations, which could help them access funding or partnerships in future policy efforts. (Note: This is a definitional bill with no immediate program changes.)
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-3-29, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER, SO AS TO PROVIDE A MANDATORY MINIMUM TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF FIVE YEARS FOR A VIOLATION.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 24-3-990 SO AS TO PROVIDE STATE AND LOCAL DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES MUST PROVIDE WELFARE NOTICES TO FAMILY MEMBERS OF INMATES UPON REQUEST.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-3-600, RELATING TO ASSAULT AND BATTERY OFFENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR GRADUATED PENALTIES FOR PERSONS CONVICTED A SECOND TIME OF ASSAULT AND BATTERY IN THE THIRD DEGREE IF THE PERSON HAS PRIOR CONVICTIONS FOR ANY ASSAULT AND BATTERY OFFENSES.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING ARTICLE 11 OF CHAPTER 3, TITLE 47, RELATING TO TAUNTING, TORMENTING, INJURING, OR KILLING POLICE DOGS OR HORSES, SO AS TO EXPAND THE CONDUCT THAT RESULTS IN A VIOLATION, INCREASE THE PENALTIES, REQUIRE RESTITUTION TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY, AND MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 18 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 23 SO AS TO DIRECT THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION TO CREATE AND ADMINISTER THE "PERSISTENT CRIMINAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDER REGISTRY."
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-3-600, RELATING TO ASSAULT AND BATTERY OFFENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ASSAULT AND BATTERY OF A HIGH AND AGGRAVATED NATURE OCCURS WHEN A PERSON THREATENS, INTIMIDATES, HARASSES, STALKS, OR OTHERWISE INJURES A FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OR CORRECTIONS OFFICER; A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL, HEALTHCARE WORKER, OR AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE EMPLOYEE; OR AN EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DURING OR BECAUSE OF THE PERSON'S OFFICIAL DUTIES.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-13-140, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE, EXECUTION, AND RETURN OF SEARCH WARRANTS FOR PROPERTY CONNECTED WITH THE COMMISSION OF CRIME, AND INVENTORY OF PROPERTY SEIZED, SO AS TO STRENGTHEN REQUIREMENTS THAT PERSONS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCHES BY WARRANT MUST BE PROVIDED A COPY OF THE WARRANT AND INVENTORY TAKEN, AND TO PROVIDE IF NO ARTICLES ARE SEIZED BY VIRTUE OF A WARRANT THAT THE PROPERTY MUST BE RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION AND THE PROPERTY SECURED.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-15-15, RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT OF CASH PERCENTAGES IN LIEU OF BOND, ASSIGNMENT OF DEPOSITS, AND RESTITUTION TO VICTIMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IF A COURT FINDS THAT A DEFENDANT MAY BE RELEASED ON BOND WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A VIOLENT OFFENSE OR ANY FELONY OFFENSE INVOLVING A FIREARM OR DRUGS, THE BOND MUST BE SET AT THE FULL UNITED STATES CASH CURRENCY BOND; BY AMENDING SECTION 17-15-30, RELATING TO MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING CONDITIONS OF RELEASE, SO AS TO INCLUDE IN THE CONSIDERATION OF A PERSON'S MENTAL CONDITION THE DIRECT OBSERVATIONS OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT CAUSE REASONABLE CONCERN WITH A PERSON'S MENTAL CONDITION AND TO ALLOW THE COURT TO INCLUDE IN THE BOND CONDITIONS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT TRANSPORT THE PERSON FOR AN EMERGENCY PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION OR THE PERSON IS REQUIRED TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT UPON RELEASE.
