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A124, R134, H4636
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Tallon, J.R. Smith, Hixon, Pope, Delleney, Corbin, Bedingfield, G.R. Smith, Lucas, Hamilton, Stringer, Ryan, Owens, Horne, Pinson, Thayer, Putnam, Murphy, Pitts, Spires, Brannon, Chumley, Lowe, Allison, Anthony, Quinn, Bingham, Ballentine, Bannister, Hearn, D.C. Moss, Hardwick, Parker, Cole, Forrester, Limehouse, Gilliard, Sottile, McEachern and Frye
Document Path: l:\council\bills\nbd\12002dg12.docx
Introduced in the House on January 19, 2012
Introduced in the Senate on January 26, 2012
Last Amended on February 2, 2012
Passed by the General Assembly on February 9, 2012
Governor's Action: February 27, 2012, Signed
Summary: Blue alert program
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/19/2012 House Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar without
reference (House Journal-page 4)
1/19/2012 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: J.R.Smith,
Hixon, Pope, Delleney, Corbin, Bedingfield, G.R.Smith,
Lucas, Hamilton, Stringer, Ryan, Owens, Horne, Pinson,
Thayer, Putnam, Murphy, Pitts, Spires, Brannon,
Chumley, Lowe, Allison, Anthony, Quinn, Bingham,
Ballentine, Bannister, Hearn, D.C.Moss, Hardwick,
Parker, Cole, Forrester (House Journal-page 4)
1/24/2012 House Read second time (House Journal-page 23)
1/24/2012 House Roll call Yeas-97 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 24)
1/24/2012 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Limehouse,
Gilliard, Sottile, McEachern, Frye
1/25/2012 House Read third time and sent to Senate
(House Journal-page 15)
1/26/2012 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 5)
1/26/2012 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
(Senate Journal-page 5)
1/30/2012 Senate Referred to Subcommittee: Knotts (ch), Massey, Coleman
2/1/2012 Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
(Senate Journal-page 24)
2/2/2012 Scrivener's error corrected
2/2/2012 Senate Committee Amendment Adopted (Senate Journal-page 30)
2/2/2012 Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 30)
2/2/2012 Senate Roll call Ayes-41 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 30)
2/7/2012 Scrivener's error corrected
2/7/2012 Senate Read third time and returned to House with amendments
(Senate Journal-page 22)
2/9/2012 House Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
(House Journal-page 24)
2/9/2012 House Roll call Yeas-94 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 24)
2/21/2012 Ratified R 134
2/27/2012 Signed By Governor
3/1/2012 Effective date 02/27/12
3/6/2012 Act No. 124
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
1/19/2012
1/19/2012-A
2/1/2012
2/2/2012
2/2/2012-A
2/7/2012
(A124, R134, H4636)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 16 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 23 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE BLUE ALERT PROGRAM THAT IS DESIGNED TO APPREHEND A SUSPECT THAT ALLEGEDLY KILLS, SERIOUSLY INJURES, OR ABDUCTS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER BY RAPIDLY DISSEMINATING INFORMATION REGARDING THE SUSPECT.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Blue Alert Program
SECTION 1. Chapter 3, Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 23-3-1400. (A) The 'Blue Alert Program' is established within the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The purpose of the program is to assist law enforcement in the apprehension of a suspect who allegedly kills, seriously injures, or abducts a law enforcement officer by rapidly disseminating information regarding the suspect, and to reduce the suspect's ability to flee thereby posing a serious threat to the safety of others.
(B) SLED shall adopt guidelines and establish procedures for issuing a blue alert, including the rapid dissemination of information regarding a suspect through the use of the South Carolina Department of Transportation's electronic traffic signage system and other law enforcement mechanisms. The Chief of SLED shall act as the program's statewide coordinator.
(C) To aid in hindering a suspect's ability to flee and threaten citizens, communities, and other law enforcement personnel, SLED shall encourage and recruit television and radio broadcasters and other organizations to assist in the program by quickly disseminating information regarding the suspect.
(D) A blue alert may be issued if:
(1) a local, state, or federal law enforcement officer is killed, seriously injured, or abducted; and
(2) the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction:
(a) determines that a suspect poses a serious risk or threat to the public and other law enforcement personnel;
(b) possesses sufficient information that could assist in locating the suspect, including information regarding the suspect's vehicle; and
(c) recommends the issuance of a blue alert to SLED.
(E) SLED may issue a blue alert upon confirmation of the requirements of subsection (D). Upon issuance of a blue alert, information that could assist in locating a suspect may be displayed across the State via the South Carolina Department of Transportation's electronic traffic signage system and other law enforcement mechanisms. Also, the information may be disseminated to organizations assisting with the program.
(F) A blue alert may be canceled at the request of the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction or by the Chief of SLED when appropriate."
Time effective
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Ratified the 21st day of February, 2012.
Approved the 27th day of February, 2012.
This web page was last updated on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 10:28 A.M.