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A106, R135, H3543
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. G.M. Smith and Weeks
Document Path: l:\council\bills\ms\7124ahb05.doc
Introduced in the House on February 15, 2005
Introduced in the Senate on April 18, 2005
Last Amended on May 19, 2005
Passed by the General Assembly on May 25, 2005
Governor's Action: June 1, 2005, Signed
Summary: Mary Lynn's Law
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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2/15/2005 House Introduced and read first time HJ-7
2/15/2005 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-8
4/7/2005 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Weeks
4/12/2005 House Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary HJ-3
4/13/2005 House Amended HJ-72
4/13/2005 House Read second time HJ-86
4/14/2005 House Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-16
4/18/2005 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-20
4/18/2005 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-20
5/18/2005 Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
SJ-20
5/19/2005 Senate Amended SJ-77
5/19/2005 Senate Read second time SJ-77
5/19/2005 Scrivener's error corrected
5/24/2005 Scrivener's error corrected
5/24/2005 Senate Read third time and returned to House with amendments
SJ-34
5/25/2005 House Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled HJ-306
5/26/2005 Ratified R 135
6/1/2005 Signed By Governor
6/3/2005 Copies available
6/3/2005 Effective date See Act for Effective Date
6/7/2005 Act No. 106
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
2/15/2005
4/12/2005
4/13/2005
5/18/2005
5/19/2005
5/19/2005-A
5/19/2005-B
5/24/2005
(A106, R135, H3543)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ENACTING "MARY LYNN'S LAW"; BY ADDING SECTION 16-1-130 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR A DIVERSION PROGRAM IF HE IS CURRENTLY CHARGED WITH CERTAIN OFFENSES, IS SUBJECT TO A RESTRAINING ORDER OR A VALID ORDER OF PROTECTION, IS CURRENTLY ON PAROLE OR PROBATION, OR THE CONSENT OF THE VICTIM HAS NOT BEEN OBTAINED; TO AMEND SECTIONS 16-3-1525 AND 16-3-1530, RELATING TO VICTIM NOTIFICATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT VICTIM NOTIFICATION MAY NOT BE ONLY BY ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUTOMATED COMMUNICATION OR RECORDING AND TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION; TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1535, RELATING TO THE SUMMARY COURT'S DUTY TO NOTIFY A VICTIM OF THE VICTIM'S RIGHTS AND THE VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE SUMMARY COURT JUDGE TO FORWARD A COPY OF EACH VICTIM'S IMPACT STATEMENT TO THE APPROPRIATE CORRECTIONS AGENCIES; TO AMEND ARTICLE 17, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16, RELATING TO STALKING AND HARASSMENT, SO AS TO REDEFINE STALKING AND HARASSMENT; TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR STALKING AND HARASSMENT; TO ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT OR ANOTHER PERSON TO SIGN A WARRANT FOR A PERSON ENGAGED IN HARASSMENT OR STALKING IN PLACE OF THE VICTIM; TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES WHEN THE COURT ORDERS A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION, TO PROVIDE FOR VICTIM NOTIFICATION IF THE MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION RESULTS IN THE UNSUPERVISED RELEASE OF THE PERSON CHARGED WITH STALKING OR HARASSMENT, TO PROVIDE THAT A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST A PERSON ENGAGED IN HARASSMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR AS DETERMINED BY THE COURT, AND TO PROVIDE IF THE PERSON NEEDS A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TO DETERMINE IF HE NEEDS TREATMENT OR COUNSELING AS A CONDITION OF BOND, THE EVALUATION MUST BE SCHEDULED WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE ORDER; TO AMEND SECTION 17-15-30, RELATING TO CONDITIONS OF RELEASE, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO CONSIDER THE ACCUSED'S CRIMINAL RECORD AND ALL INCIDENT REPORTS RELATED TO THE CHARGED OFFENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 24-3-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PRISONERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN WORK RELEASE, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THOSE OFFENDERS CONVICTED OF A VIOLENT OFFENSE, A HARASSMENT OR STALKING OFFENSE, OR A BURGLARY OFFENSE FROM BEING ELIGIBLE FOR WORK RELEASE; BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1555 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE PROSECUTING AGENCY TO FORWARD VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS TO THE APPROPRIATE CORRECTIONS AGENCY IN CASES WHEN THE SENTENCE IS MORE THAN NINETY DAYS AND TO PROHIBIT THE RELEASE OF THE VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS TO THE DEFENDANT UNTIL HE HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY; AND TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE AND DESIGN STATEWIDE STANDARDS FOR MENTAL HEALTH COURTS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Citation of the act
SECTION 1. This act may be cited as "Mary Lynn's Law".
Crimes and offenses; diversion program eligibility
SECTION 2. Chapter 1, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 16-1-130. (A) A person may not be considered for a diversion program, including, but not limited to, a drug court program or a mental health court, if the:
(1) person's current charge is for a violent offense as defined in Section 16-1-60 or a stalking offense pursuant to Article 17, Chapter 3, Title 16;
(2) person has a prior conviction for a violent crime as defined in Section 16-1-60, or a harassment or stalking offense pursuant to Article 17, Chapter 3, Title 16;
(3) person is subject to a restraining order pursuant to the provisions of Article 17, Chapter 3, Title 16 or a valid order of protection pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 4, Title 20;
(4) person is currently on parole or probation for any offense; or
(5) consent of the victim has not been obtained.
(B) The provisions of this section do not apply to a diversion program administered by the South Carolina Prosecution Coordination Commission or by a circuit solicitor."
Crimes and offenses; victim notification requirements
SECTION 3. Section 16-3-1525(C) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(C) A law enforcement agency, upon effecting the arrest or detention of a person accused of committing an offense involving one or more victims, must provide to the jail, prison, or detention or holding facility, including a mental health facility, having physical custody of the defendant, the name, mailing address, and telephone number of each victim. If the person is transferred to another facility, this information immediately must be transmitted to the receiving facility. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of victims and witnesses contained in the files of a jail, prison, or detention or holding facility, including a mental health facility, are confidential and must not be disclosed directly or indirectly, except as necessary to provide notification."
Crimes and offenses; victim notification requirements
SECTION 4. Section 16-3-1525 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"(L) A diversion program, except a diversion program administered by the South Carolina Prosecution Coordination Commission or by a circuit solicitor, reasonably must attempt to notify the victim of a crime prior to the defendant's release from the program unless the defendant is released to a law enforcement agency.
(M) In every case when there is a court-ordered or mandatory mental evaluation, which takes place in an inpatient facility, the organization or facility responsible for the evaluation reasonably must attempt to notify the victim of the crime prior to the defendant's release from the facility unless the defendant is released to a law enforcement agency.
(N) Notification of a victim pursuant to the provisions of this section may not be only by electronic or other automated communication or recording. However, after three unsuccessful attempts to reach the victim by electronic or other automated communication or recording pursuant to the provisions of this section, the appropriate agency or diversion program shall attempt to make personal contact with the victim."
Crimes and offenses; victim notification requirements
SECTION 5. Section 16-3-1530 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 16-3-1530. (A) Notwithstanding another provision of law, except the provisions contained in Section 16-3-1525(D) relating to juvenile detention:
(1) notwithstanding the provisions of Section 22-5-510, a department or agency having custody or custodial supervision of a person accused, convicted, or adjudicated guilty of committing an offense involving one or more victims reasonably must attempt to notify each victim, upon request, before the release of the person;
(2) a department or agency having custody or custodial supervision of a person accused of committing an offense involving one or more victims reasonably must attempt to notify each victim, upon request, of an escape by the person;
(3) a department or agency having custody of a person accused, convicted, or adjudicated guilty of committing an offense involving one or more victims must inform each victim, upon request, before any nonintradepartmental transfer of the person to a less secure facility or to a diversionary program including, but not limited to, a drug court program or a mental health court. The provisions of this item do not apply to transfers to other law enforcement agencies and transfers to other nonlaw enforcement locations if the person remains under security supervision. All victims, upon request, must be notified of intradepartmental transfers after the transfer occurs; and
(4) a department or agency having custody or custodial supervision of a person convicted or adjudicated guilty of committing an offense involving one or more victims must reasonably attempt to notify each victim and prosecution witness, upon request, of an escape by the person.
(B) Notification of a victim pursuant to the provisions of this section may not be only by electronic or other automated communication or recording except in the case of an intradepartmental transfer."
Crimes and offenses; victim notification requirements
SECTION 6. Section 16-3-1535 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately lettered subsection at the end to read:
"( ) In cases in which the sentence is more than ninety days, the summary court judge must forward, as appropriate and within fifteen days, a copy of each victim's impact statement or the name, mailing address, and telephone number of each victim, or both, to the Department of Corrections, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, or the Board of Juvenile Parole, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and a diversion program. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of victims and prosecution witnesses contained in the records of the Department of Corrections, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the Board of Juvenile Parole, and the Department of Juvenile Justice are confidential and must not be disclosed directly or indirectly, except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or as necessary to provide notifications, or services, or both, between these agencies, these agencies and the prosecuting agency, or these agencies and the Attorney General."
Crimes and offenses; harassment and stalking
SECTION 7. Article 17, Chapter 3 of Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
Section 16-3-1700. As used in this article:
(A) 'Harassment in the first degree' means a pattern of intentional, substantial, and unreasonable intrusion into the private life of a targeted person that serves no legitimate purpose and causes the person and would cause a reasonable person in his position to suffer mental or emotional distress. Harassment in the first degree may include, but is not limited to:
(1) following the targeted person as he moves from location to location;
(2) visual or physical contact that is initiated, maintained, or repeated after a person has been provided oral or written notice that the contact is unwanted or after the victim has filed an incident report with a law enforcement agency;
(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 or visited by the targeted person; and
(4) vandalism and property damage.
(B) 'Harassment in the second degree' means a pattern of intentional, substantial, and unreasonable intrusion into the private life of a targeted person that serves no legitimate purpose and causes the person and would cause a reasonable person in his position to suffer mental or emotional distress. Harassment in the second degree may include, but is not limited to, verbal, written, or electronic contact that is initiated, maintained, or repeated.
(C) 'Stalking' means a pattern of words, whether verbal, written, or electronic, or a pattern of conduct that serves no legitimate purpose and is intended to cause and does cause a targeted person and would cause a reasonable person in the targeted person's position to fear:
(1) death of the person or a member of his family;
(2) assault upon the person or a member of his family;
(3) bodily injury to the person or a member of his family;
(4) criminal sexual contact on the person or a member of his family;
(5) kidnapping of the person or a member of his family; or
(6) damage to the property of the person or a member of his family.
(D) 'Pattern' means two or more acts occurring over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose.
(E) 'Family' means a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or a person who regularly resides in the same household as the targeted person.
(F) 'Electronic contact' means any transfer of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds, data, intelligence, or information of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by any device, system, or mechanism including, but not limited to, a wire, radio, computer, electromagnetic, photoelectric, or photo-optical system.
(G) This section does not apply to words or conduct protected by the Constitution of this State or the United States, a law enforcement officer or a process server performing official duties, or a licensed private investigator performing services or an investigation as described in detail in a contract signed by the client and the private investigator pursuant to Section 40-18-70.
Section 16-3-1705. (A) An electronic mail service provider must not be charged with or have a penalty assessed based upon a violation of this article or have a cause of action filed against it based on the electronic mail service provider's:
(1) being an intermediary between the sender and recipient in the transmission of an electronic contact that violates this article; or
(2) providing transmission of an electronic contact over the provider's computer network or facilities that violates this article.
(B) For purposes of this article, 'electronic mail service provider' means a person or entity which:
(1) is an intermediary in sending or receiving electronic mail; and
(2) provides to users of electronic mail services the ability to send or receive electronic mail.
Section 16-3-1710. (A) Except as provided in subsection (B), a person who engages in harassment in the second degree is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars, imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
(B) A person convicted of harassment in the second degree is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than one year, or both if:
(1) the person has a prior conviction of harassment or stalking within the preceding ten years; or
(2) at the time of the harassment an injunction or restraining order was in effect prohibiting the harassment.
(C) In addition to the penalties provided in this section, a person convicted of harassment in the second degree who received licensing or registration information pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 56 and used the information in furtherance of the commission of the offense under this section must be fined two hundred dollars or imprisoned thirty days, or both.
Section 16-3-1720. (A) Except as provided in subsections (B) and (C), a person who engages in harassment in the first degree is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
(B) A person who engages in harassment in the first degree when an injunction or restraining order is in effect prohibiting this conduct is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
(C) A person who engages in harassment in the first degree and who has a prior conviction of harassment or stalking within the preceding ten years is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(D) In addition to the penalties provided in this section, a person convicted of harassment in the first degree who received licensing or registration information pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 56 and used the information in furtherance of the commission of the offense under this section must be fined one thousand dollars or imprisoned one year, or both.
Section 16-3-1730. (A) A person who engages in stalking is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(B) A person who engages in stalking when an injunction or restraining order is in effect prohibiting this conduct is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than seven thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
(C) A person who engages in stalking and who has a prior conviction of harassment or stalking within the preceding ten years is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than fifteen years, or both.
(D) In addition to the penalties provided in this section, a person convicted of stalking who received licensing or registration information pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 3 of Title 56 and used the information in furtherance of the commission of the offense pursuant to this section must be fined one thousand dollars or imprisoned one year, or both.
Section 16-3-1735. A law enforcement officer or another person with knowledge of the circumstances may sign a warrant in place of the victim for a person alleged to have committed a harassment or stalking offense as provided in Section 16-3-1710, 16-3-1720, or 16-3-1730.
Section 16-3-1740. (A) Before sentencing a person convicted of stalking or harassment in the first or second degree, the court may require the person to undergo a mental health evaluation. If the court determines from the results of the evaluation that the person needs mental health treatment or counseling, the court shall require him to undergo mental health treatment or counseling by a court-approved mental health professional, mental health facility, or facility operated by the State Department of Mental Health as a part of his sentence.
(B) When the court orders a mental health evaluation, the evaluation may not take place until the facility conducting the evaluation has received all of the documentation including, but not limited to, warrants, incident reports, and NCIC reports associated with the charges.
(C) If the evaluation results in the unsupervised release of the person, the victim must be notified prior to the person's release. All reasonable efforts must be made to notify the victim personally to assure the notice is received.
Section 16-3-1750. (A) Pursuant to this article, the magistrates court has jurisdiction over an action seeking a restraining order against a person engaged in harassment in the first or second degree or stalking.
(B) An action for a restraining order must be filed in the county in which:
(1) the defendant resides when the action commences;
(2) the harassment in the first or second degree or stalking occurred; or
(3) the plaintiff resides if the defendant is a nonresident of the State or cannot be found.
(C) A complaint and motion for a restraining order may be filed by any person. The complaint must:
(1) allege that the defendant is engaged in harassment in the first or second degree or stalking and must state the time, place, and manner of the acts complained of, and other facts and circumstances upon which relief is sought;
(2) be verified; and
(3) inform the defendant of his right to retain counsel to represent him at the hearing on the complaint.
(D) The magistrates court must provide forms to facilitate the preparation and filing of a complaint and motion for a restraining order by a plaintiff not represented by counsel. The court must not charge a fee for filing a complaint and motion for a restraining order against a person engaged in harassment or stalking. However, the court shall assess a filing fee against the nonprevailing party in an action for a restraining order. The court may hold a person in contempt of court for failure to pay this filing fee.
(E) A restraining order remains in effect for a fixed period of time of not less than one year, as determined by the court on a case-by-case basis.
(F) Notwithstanding another provision of law, a restraining order or a temporary restraining order issued pursuant to this article is enforceable throughout this State.
Section 16-3-1760. (A) Within twenty-four hours after the filing of a complaint and motion seeking a restraining order pursuant to Section 16-3-1750, the court, for good cause shown, may hold an emergency hearing and, if the plaintiff proves his allegation by a preponderance of the evidence, may issue a temporary restraining order without giving the defendant notice of the motion for the order. A prima facie showing of present danger of bodily injury, verified by supporting affidavits, constitutes good cause.
(B) A temporary restraining order granted without notice must be served upon the defendant together with a copy of the complaint and a Rule to Show Cause why the order should not be extended for the full one-year period. The Rule to Show Cause must provide the date and time of the hearing for the Rule to Show Cause. The defendant must be served within five days before the hearing in the same manner required for service as provided in the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.
(C) In cases not provided in subsection (A), the court shall cause a copy of the complaint and motion to be served upon the defendant at least five days before the hearing in the same manner required for service as provided in the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.
(D) The court shall hold a hearing on a motion for a restraining order within fifteen days of the filing of a complaint and motion, but not sooner than five days after service has been perfected upon the defendant.
Section 16-3-1770. (A) A temporary restraining order granted without notice must be endorsed with the date and hour of issuance and entered of record with the magistrates court.
(B) The terms of the restraining order must protect the plaintiff and may include temporarily enjoining the defendant from:
(1) abusing, threatening to abuse, or molesting the plaintiff or members of the plaintiff's family;
(2) entering or attempting to enter the plaintiff's place of residence, employment, education, or other location; and
(3) communicating or attempting to communicate with the plaintiff in a way that would violate the provisions of this article.
(C) A restraining order issued pursuant to this article conspicuously must bear the following language: 'Violation of this order is a criminal offense punishable by thirty days in jail, a fine of five hundred dollars, or both'.
(D) A restraining order issued by a court may not contain the social security number of a party to the order and must contain as little identifying information as is necessary of the party it seeks to protect.
Section 16-3-1780. (A) A temporary restraining order remains in effect until the hearing on the Rule to Show Cause why the order should not be extended for the full one-year period. The temporary restraining order must be for a fixed period in accordance with subsection (B) if the court finds the defendant in default at the hearing.
(B) In cases not provided for in subsection (A), a restraining order must be for a fixed period not to exceed one year but may be extended by court order on a motion by the plaintiff, showing good cause, with notice to the defendant. The defendant is entitled to a hearing on the extension of an order issued pursuant to this subsection within thirty days of the date upon which the order will expire.
(C) Notwithstanding subsection (B), the provisions included in a restraining order granting relief pursuant to Section 16-3-1770 dissolve one year following the issuance of the order unless, prior to the expiration of this period, the court has charged the defendant with the crime of harassment in the first or second degree or stalking and has scheduled a date for trial on the charge. If the trial has been scheduled, relief granted pursuant to Section 16-3-1770 remains in effect beyond the one-year period only until the conclusion of the trial.
(D) The court may modify the terms of an order issued pursuant to this section.
Section 16-3-1790. A magistrates court shall serve the defendant with a certified copy of an order issued pursuant to this article and provide a copy to the plaintiff and to the local law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction over the area where the plaintiff resides. Service must be made without charge to the plaintiff.
Section 16-3-1800. Law enforcement officers shall arrest a defendant who is acting in violation of a restraining order after service and notice of the order is provided. An arrest warrant is not required.
Section 16-3-1810. (A) The primary responsibility of a law enforcement officer when responding to a harassment in the first or second degree or stalking incident is to enforce the law and protect the complainant.
(B) The law enforcement officer shall notify the complainant of the right to initiate criminal proceedings and to seek a restraining order.
Section 16-3-1820. A person who reports an alleged harassment in the first or second degree or stalking, files a criminal complaint, files a complaint for a restraining order, or who participates in a judicial proceeding pursuant to this article and who is acting in good faith is immune from criminal and civil liability that might otherwise result from these actions. A rebuttable presumption exists that the person was acting in good faith.
Section 16-3-1830. A proceeding commenced pursuant to this article is in addition to other civil and criminal remedies.
Section 16-3-1840. Prior to setting bail, a magistrate or a municipal judge may order a defendant charged with harassment in the first or second degree or stalking pursuant to this article to undergo a mental health evaluation performed by the local mental health department. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine if the defendant needs mental health treatment or counseling as a condition of bond. The evaluation must be scheduled within ten days of the order's issuance. Once the evaluation is completed, the examiner must, within forty-eight hours, issue a report to the local solicitor's office, summary court judge, or other law enforcement agency. Upon receipt of the report, the solicitor, summary court judge, or other law enforcement agency must arrange for a bond hearing before a circuit court judge or summary court judge."
Criminal procedures; bail and recognizances; conditions of release
SECTION 8. Section 17-15-30 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 17-15-30. (A) In determining conditions of release that will reasonably assure appearance, or if release would constitute an unreasonable danger to the community, the court may, on the basis of available information, consider the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, the accused's family ties, employment, financial resources, character and mental condition, the length of his residence in the community, his record of convictions, and his record of flight to avoid prosecution or failure to appear at other court proceedings.
(B) The court shall consider the accused's criminal record, if any. The court shall consider, if available, all incident reports generated as a result of the offense charged."
Corrections and probation; work release eligibility
SECTION 9. Section 24-3-20 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 243 of 2004, is further amended to read:
"Section 24-3-20. (A) A person convicted of an offense against this State and sentenced to imprisonment for more than three months is in the custody of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, and the department shall designate the place of confinement where the sentence must be served. Nothing in this section prevents a court from ordering a sentence to run concurrently with a sentence being served in another state or an active federal sentence. The department may designate as a place of confinement any available, suitable, and appropriate institution or facility, including a county jail or prison camp, whether maintained by the department, or otherwise. If the facility is not maintained by the department, the consent of the sheriff of the county where the facility is located must first be obtained. However, a prisoner who escapes or attempts to escape while assigned to medium, close, or maximum custody may not serve his sentence for the original conviction or an additional sentence for the escape or attempted escape in a minimum security facility for at least five years after the escape or attempted escape and one year before his projected release date.
(B) When the director determines that the character and attitude of a prisoner reasonably indicates that he may be trusted, he may extend the limits of the place of confinement of the prisoner by authorizing him to work at paid employment or participate in a training program in the community on a voluntary basis while continuing as a prisoner, if the director determines that:
(1) the paid employment will not result in the displacement of employed workers, nor be applied in skills, crafts, or trades in which there is surplus of available gainful labor in the locality, nor impair existing contracts for services; and
(2) the rates of pay and other conditions of employment will not be less than those paid and provided for work of similar nature in the locality in which the work is to be performed.
The department shall notify victims registered pursuant to Article 15, Chapter 3, Title 16 and the trial judge, solicitor, and sheriff of the county or the law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction where the offense occurred before releasing inmates on work release. However, the trial judge may waive his right to receive the notification contained in this section by notifying the department of this waiver in writing. The department has the authority to deny release based upon opinions received from these persons, if any, as to the suitability of the release.
A prisoner's place of confinement may not be extended as permitted by this subsection who is currently serving a sentence for or has a prior conviction for criminal sexual conduct in the first, second, or third degree; attempted criminal sexual conduct; assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct; criminal sexual conduct when the victim is his legal spouse; criminal sexual conduct with a minor; committing or attempting to commit a lewd act on a child; engaging a child for sexual performance; spousal sexual battery; or a violent offense as defined in Section 16-1-60, a harassment or stalking offense pursuant to Article 17, Chapter 3 of Title 16, or a burglary offense pursuant to Section 16-11-311 or 16-11-312(B). A prisoner who is serving a sentence for a 'no parole offense' as defined in Section 24-13-100 and who is otherwise eligible for work release shall not have his place of confinement extended until he has served the minimum period of incarceration as set forth in Section 24-13-125.
(C) Notwithstanding another provision of law, the department shall make available for use in litter control and removal any or all prison inmates not engaged in programs determined by the department to be more beneficial in terms of rehabilitation and cost effectiveness. The department shall not make available for litter control those inmates who, in the judgment of the director, pose a significant threat to the community or who are not physically, mentally, or emotionally able to perform work required in litter control. No inmate may be assigned to a county prison facility except upon written acceptance of the inmate by the chief county administrative officer or his designee, and no prisoner may be assigned to litter control in a county which maintains a facility unless he is assigned to the county prison facility. The department shall include in its annual report to the Budget and Control Board an analysis of the job and program assignments of inmates. This plan must include such programs as litter removal, prison industries, work release, education, and counseling. The department shall make every effort to minimize not only inmate idleness but also occupation in marginally productive pursuits. The Budget and Control Board and the Governor's Office shall comment in writing to the department concerning necessary alterations in this plan.
(D) Notwithstanding Section 24-13-125, the department may establish a restitution program for the purpose of allowing persons convicted of nonviolent offenses who are sentenced to the department to reimburse the victim for the value of the property stolen or damages caused by the offense. If no victim is involved, the person convicted shall contribute to the administration of the program. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations necessary to administer the program.
(E) If a person is sentenced to not more than seven years and for not more than a second offense for the following offenses: larceny, grand larceny, forgery and counterfeiting, embezzlement, stolen property, damage to property, receiving stolen goods, shoplifting, housebreaking, fraud, vandalism, breach of trust with fraudulent intent, and storebreaking, the judge shall establish at the time of sentencing a maximum amount of property loss which may be used by the department in the administration of the restitution program."
Crimes and offenses; victim impact statements; protections
SECTION 10. Section 16-3-1555 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 16-3-1555. (A) The circuit or family court must order, in a timely manner, reasonable expert witness fees and reimbursement to victims of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with lawfully serving a subpoena.
(B) In cases in which the sentence is more than ninety days, the prosecuting agency must forward, as appropriate and within fifteen days, a copy of each victim's impact statement or the name, mailing address, and telephone number of each victim, or both, to the Department of Corrections, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, or the Board of Juvenile Parole, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and a diversion program. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of victims and prosecution witnesses contained in the records of the Department of Corrections, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the Board of Juvenile Parole, and the Department of Juvenile Justice are confidential and must not be disclosed directly or indirectly, except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or as necessary to provide notifications, or services, or both, between these agencies, these agencies and the prosecuting agency, or these agencies and the Attorney General.
(C) The prosecuting agency must maintain the victim's original impact statement. The victim's impact statement must not be provided to the defendant until the defendant has been adjudicated, found guilty, or has pled guilty. The victim's impact statement and its contents are not admissible as evidence in any trial.
(D) The prosecuting agency must inform the victim and the prosecution witnesses of their responsibility to provide the prosecuting agency, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the Board of Juvenile Parole, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or the Attorney General, as appropriate, their legal names, current addresses, and telephone numbers.
(E) The prosecuting agency must inform the victim about the collection of restitution, fees, and expenses, the recovery of property used as evidence, and how to contact the Department of Corrections, the Board of Juvenile Parole, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or the Attorney General, as appropriate."
Mental health courts task force
SECTION 11. A task force is created to examine and design statewide standards for the operation of mental health courts in the State. The study committee shall consist of thirteen voting members as follows:
(1) one member appointed by the director of the State Office of Victim Assistance;
(2) one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;
(3) one member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;
(4) one retired circuit court judge appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court;
(5) one circuit solicitor appointed by the Prosecution Coordination Commission;
(6) two members appointed by the director of the Department of Mental Health, both of whom must be mental health professionals;
(7) one member of an operating mental health court appointed by the Richland County Probate Judge;
(8) one member appointed by the director of the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services;
(9) one member appointed by the director of the Department of Corrections;
(10) one probate judge appointed by the South Carolina Probate Judges Association;
(11) one magistrate appointed by the South Carolina Summary Court Judges Association; and
(12) one member appointed by the South Carolina Public Defender Association.
The members of the study committee shall elect a chairman and shall meet at times and places as the chairman determines to be necessary. The committee must be staffed by personnel assigned by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The study committee on mental health courts shall report its findings to the General Assembly no later than the first day of the 2006 legislative session at which time the study committee is terminated.
Savings clause
SECTION 12. The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.
Severability clause
SECTION 13. If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this act, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.
Time effective
SECTION 14. Section 11 of this act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. The remaining sections of this act take effect on January 1, 2006.
Ratified the 26th day of May, 2005.
Approved the 1st day of June, 2005.
This web page was last updated on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 3:42 P.M.