Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2000 Session > Title 23

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SECTION 23-3-10. Creation, chief and personnel of South Carolina Law-Enforcement Division.

There is created the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The division must be headed by a chief appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate and shall hold office until his successor is appointed and qualified. The term of the chief is six years. On the effective date of the provisions of this section providing for a six-year term for the chief, a successor to the chief serving on this date must be appointed as provided herein. Nothing herein prevents the chief serving on this date from being reappointed to additional six-year terms. The chief may only be removed pursuant to the provisions of Section 1-3-240 of the 1976 Code. The agents and officers of the division must be commissioned by the Governor upon the recommendation of the chief. The agents and officers shall have that rank or title as may be provided under the State Employees Classification System. The chief may appoint other personnel considered necessary and as provided for in the annual appropriations act. All agents and officers commissioned by the Governor are subject to discharge for cause which must be subject to review as is now provided by law for other state employees.

SECTION 23-3-15. Additional jurisdiction, authority and responsibilities; exclusive authority; other agencies or departments to assist SLED.

(A) In addition to those authorities and responsibilities set forth in this chapter, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division shall have specific and exclusive jurisdiction and authority statewide, on behalf of the State, in matters including but not limited to the following functions and activities:

(1) the investigation of organized criminal activities or combined state-federal interstate criminal activities, all general criminal investigations, arson investigation and emergency event management pertaining to explosive devices;

(2) the maintenance and operation of a statewide comprehensive forensic sciences laboratory;

(3) covert investigation of illegal activities pertaining to and the interdiction of narcotics and other illicit substances;

(4) operation and maintenance of a central, statewide criminal justice data base and data communication system;

(5) establishment and operation of highly specialized, rapid response law enforcement units within the division;

(6) operation and regulation of state polygraph examination services;

(7) law enforcement, regulation enforcement, and inspections under Title 61; and

(8) such other activities as are not inconsistent with the mission of the division or otherwise proscribed by law.

(B) No other state agency or department having personnel who are commissioned law enforcement officers may engage in any of the activities herein set forth without the express permission of the Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Any state agencies or departments having commissioned law enforcement personnel shall assist the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division at any time the Chief of SLED requests assistance in carrying out the statutory duties of the division.

(C) The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is responsible for the enforcement of all criminal laws, misdemeanors, and felonies, and civil laws, the violation of which may result in a fine or other penalty being assessed against the violator, which laws are now enforced by law enforcement personnel employed by and under the jurisdiction of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. These civil and criminal laws also include regulations and ordinances pertinent thereto. The duties, functions, and powers of these law enforcement personnel are devolved upon the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the law enforcement personnel of this agency on the effective date of this section shall perform their duties and functions under the auspices of the division and shall become a part of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 23-3-20. Bond and oath of chief and agents; reappointment.

Every officer and agent commissioned pursuant to this article shall file a bond, or be covered by a surety bond, of not less than two thousand dollars with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, subscribed by a licensed surety company, conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties, for the prompt and proper accounting of all funds coming into his hands, and for the payment of a judgment recovered against him in a court of competent jurisdiction upon a cause of action arising out of breach or abuse of official duty or power and for the payment of damages sustained by a member of the public from an unlawful act of the officer or agent. However, coverage under the bond does not include damage to persons or property arising out of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle. The bond may be individual, schedule, or blanket and on a form approved by the Attorney General. The premiums on the bonds must be paid by the division.

All officers and agents of the division shall take and subscribe to the oath provided by law for peace officers.

SECTION 23-3-25. Chief may assign personnel, establish divisions.

The Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division may assign personnel of the division to particular areas of enforcement as appropriate for the enforcement of the laws and regulations of this State which the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is charged with enforcing. For this purpose, the chief may establish divisions within the department to carry out particular duties as assigned by the chief.

SECTION 23-3-30. State security personnel shall be under supervision of South Carolina Law-Enforcement Division.

All security personnel employed by the State, other than at correctional institutions shall be under the direct supervision of the South Carolina Law-Enforcement Division.

SECTION 23-3-40. Certain fingerprints shall be made available to State Law-Enforcement Division.

All sheriff's and police departments in South Carolina shall make available to the Criminal Justice Records Division of the State Law-Enforcement Division for the purpose of recordation and classification all fingerprints taken in criminal investigations resulting in convictions. The State Law-Enforcement Division shall pay for the costs of such program and prepare the necessary regulations and instructions for the implementation of this section.

SECTION 23-3-45. Acceptance of fingerprints of applicants for admission to bar; exchange of records with Board of Law Examiners.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is authorized to accept fingerprints of applicants for admission to the South Carolina Bar and, to the extent provided for by federal law, to exchange state, multistate, and federal criminal history records with the South Carolina Board of Law Examiners for licensing purposes.

SECTION 23-3-50. Revenue from certain fees and licenses to be remitted to State Treasurer.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, all revenue from fees and licenses received by the State Law-Enforcement Division related to enforcement and regulation of private detective and security companies (Section 40-17-160 of the 1976 Code), gun dealers (Section 16-23-10), gun permits (Sections 23-31-110 and 17-5-110) and massage parlors (Section 40-29-160) shall be remitted to the State Treasurer as collected and credited to the general fund of the State.

SECTION 23-3-60. Repealed by Act No. 181, Section 1617(A), eff July 1, 1993.

SECTION 23-3-65. South Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program to provide counseling services and other support services.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division shall administer the South Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program (SC LEAP). The purpose of this program includes, but is not limited to, responding to and providing counseling services to all requesting law enforcement agencies and departments in the State which have experienced deaths or other tragedies involving law enforcement officers or other employees, and providing any other critical incident support services for all South Carolina law enforcement agencies and departments upon their request. The SC LEAP may also utilize local critical incident support service providers including, but not limited to chaplains, mental health professionals, and law enforcement peers. In consultation with the professional staff of the SC LEAP and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Chaplains' Association, the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy shall develop a course of training for the critical incident stress debriefing and peer support team.



SECTION 23-3-110. Creation and functions of statewide criminal information and communication system.

There is hereby established as a department within the State Law-Enforcement Division a statewide criminal information and communication system, hereinafter referred to in this article as "the system," with such functions as the Division may assign to it and with such authority, in addition to existing authority vested in the Division, as is prescribed in this article.

SECTION 23-3-115. Fees for criminal record searches conducted for charitable organizations.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Law Enforcement Division shall charge a fee not to exceed eight dollars for a criminal record search conducted pursuant to this article and related regulations contained in Subarticle 1, Article 3, Chapter 73 of the Code of Regulations, if the criminal record search is conducted for a charitable organization or for the use of a charitable organization. The division shall develop forms on which a charitable organization shall certify that the criminal record search is conducted for the use and benefit of the charitable organization. For purposes of this section, the phrase "charitable organization" shall mean:

(1) an organization which has been determined to be exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

(2) a bona fide church, including an institution such as a synagogue or mosque; or

(3) an organization which has filed a statement of registration or exemption under the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, Chapter 56, Title 33.

SECTION 23-3-120. Reports of criminal data and fingerprints by law-enforcement agencies and court officials; taking of fingerprints.

(A) All law enforcement agencies and court officials must report all criminal data and related information within their respective jurisdictions to the State Law Enforcement Division's Central Record Repository at such times and in such form as the State Law Enforcement Division requires. This information must include criminal data and related information regarding juveniles charged with offenses pursuant to Section 20-7-8510.

(B) A person subjected to a lawful custodial arrest for a state offense must be fingerprinted. Fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency or detention facility pursuant to this section must be submitted to the State Law Enforcement Division's Central Record Repository within three days, excluding weekends and holidays, for the purposes of identifying record subjects and establishing criminal history record information.

(C) The Department of Corrections and the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services must submit the fingerprints of persons taken into custody to the State Law Enforcement Division's Central Record Repository within three days after incarceration or intake, excluding weekends and holidays. Information concerning the probation segment of a criminal history record is not required if that information is established in the record.

SECTION 23-3-130. Determination of information to be supplied and methods of evaluation and dissemination; promulgation of rules and regulations.

The State Law-Enforcement Division is authorized to determine the specific information to be supplied by the law-enforcement agencies and court officials pursuant to Section 23-3-120, and the methods by which such information shall be compiled, evaluated and disseminated. The State Law Enforcement Division is further authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this article.

The South Carolina Law-Enforcement Division shall disseminate criminal history conviction records upon request to local school districts for prospective teachers and to the State Department of Social Services for personnel of child day care facilities. This service must be provided to the local school districts without charge.

SECTION 23-3-140. Disclosure of information in violation of law is not authorized.

The provisions of this article shall not be construed to require or permit the disclosure or reporting of any information in the manner prohibited by existing law.

SECTION 23-3-150. Grants and appropriations; contracts with public agencies.

The State Law-Enforcement Division is authorized to accept, on behalf of the State, and use in the establishment, expansion and improvement of the system, funds in the nature of grants or appropriations from the State, the United States, or any agency thereof, and may contract with any public agency for use of the system in the furtherance of effective law enforcement.

SECTION 23-3-160. Investigation of injury or death of person under twenty-one when use of beverages containing alcohol suspected.

In any accident involving injury or death of a person under the age of twenty-one, where there is cause to believe that any beverage containing alcohol was consumed prior to the accident by the person under twenty-one, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the accident shall commence a detailed investigation to determine the circumstances under which the beverage was obtained.

Upon initiation of this investigation by the local investigating law enforcement agency, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division shall assist in whatever capacity necessary to fully complete the inquiry and shall cooperate and assist in the prosecution of appropriate criminal charges against any person who provided a beverage containing alcohol to the person under twenty-one.

SECTION 23-3-170. Investigation of traffic-related injury or death of person where use of illegal drugs or controlled substances suspected.

In any motor vehicle accident involving injury or death of a person where there is cause to believe that an illegal drug or controlled substance was used prior to the accident by any person involved therein, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the accident shall commence a detailed investigation to determine the circumstances under which the illegal drug or controlled substance was obtained.

Upon initiation of this investigation by the local investigating law enforcement agency, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division shall assist in whatever capacity necessary to fully complete the inquiry and shall cooperate and assist in the prosecution of appropriate criminal charges against any person who provided the illegal drug or controlled substance to that person.

SECTION 23-3-175. Inspection of junkyard, car dealership, parking lot, etc., for purpose of locating stolen vehicle or investigating titling or registration of wrecked or dismantled vehicle.

The State Law Enforcement Division Vehicle Theft Unit is authorized to inspect a junkyard, scrap metal processing facility, salvage yard, repair shop, licensed business buying, selling, displaying, or trading new or used motor vehicles or parts of motor vehicles, parking lots, and public garages, or a person dealing with salvaged motor vehicles or parts of them.

The physical inspection must be conducted while an employee or owner of the facility is present and must be for the purpose of locating stolen motor vehicles or investigating titling or registration of motor vehicles wrecked or dismantled.



SECTION 23-3-200. Creation of Center; use of FBI file.

There is created a Missing Person Information Center, hereinafter referred to as MPIC, to be located in Columbia as a part of the State Law Enforcement Division. The purpose of the MPIC is to serve as a central repository for information regarding missing persons and missing and exploited children, with special emphasis on missing children. The MPIC shall utilize the Federal Bureau of Investigation/National Crime Information Center's missing person computerized file through the use of the State Law Enforcement Division's law enforcement communications network. This center is hereinafter referred to as FBI/NCIC.

SECTION 23-3-210. Definitions.

For the purposes of this article:

(1) "Missing child" means any individual who is under the age of seventeen years whose temporary or permanent residence is in South Carolina, or is believed to be in South Carolina, whose location has not been determined, and who has been reported as missing to a law enforcement agency.

(2) "Missing person" means any individual who is seventeen years of age or older, whose temporary or permanent residence is in South Carolina, or is believed to be in South Carolina, whose location has not been determined, and who has been reported as missing to a law enforcement agency.

(3) "Missing person report" is a report prepared on a prescribed form for transmitting information about a missing person or a missing child to a law enforcement agency.

(4) "Exploited children" are children under the age of eighteen who are placed in positions where they were taken advantage of sexually because of their inability to cognitively assess or resist the contact or who were placed into these positions because of their dependency upon the offender.

SECTION 23-3-220. Chief of State Law Enforcement Division, generally; employees.

The MPIC is under the direction of the Chief of the State Law Enforcement Division and may be organized and structured in a manner as the Chief deems appropriate to ensure that the objectives of the MPIC are achieved. The Chief may employ those MPIC personnel as the General Assembly may authorize and provide funding for.

SECTION 23-3-230. Promulgation of regulations.

The MPIC shall promulgate regulations prescribing:

(a) procedures for accepting and disseminating information maintained at the MPIC;

(b) the confidentiality of the data and information, including the missing person report, maintained by the MPIC;

(c) the proper disposition of all obsolete data, including the missing person report; provided, data for an individual who has reached the age of eighteen and remains missing must be preserved;

(d) procedures allowing a communication link with the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI/NCIC's missing person file to ensure compliance with FBI/NCIC policies;

(e) forms, including but not limited to a missing person report, considered necessary for the efficient and proper operation of the MPIC.

SECTION 23-3-240. Submission of missing person reports to Center.

Any parent, spouse, guardian, legal custodian, or public or private agency or entity may submit a missing person report to the MPIC on any missing child or missing person, regardless of the circumstances, after having first submitted a missing person report on the individual to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction of the area in which the individual became or is believed to have become missing, regardless of the circumstances.

SECTION 23-3-250. Dissemination of missing persons data by law enforcement agencies.

A law enforcement agency, upon receipt of a missing person report by a parent, spouse, guardian, legal custodian, or public or private agency or entity, shall immediately make arrangements for the entry of data about the missing person or missing child into the national missing persons file in accordance with criteria set forth by the FBI/NCIC, immediately inform all of its on-duty law enforcement officers of the missing person report, initiate a statewide broadcast to all other law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for the individual, and transmit a copy of the report to the MPIC.

SECTION 23-3-260. Responsibilities of Center.

The MPIC shall:

(a) Assist local law enforcement agencies with entering data about missing persons or missing children into the national missing persons file, ensure that proper entry criteria have been met as set forth by the FBI/NCIC, and confirm entry of the data about the missing persons or missing children.

(b) Utilize both the intrastate communication network and the FBI/NCIC system in locating missing persons or missing children.

(c) Collect, process, maintain, and disseminate information on missing and exploited children or missing persons.

(d) Provide for a centralized distribution center for emergency flyers on missing persons or missing children.

(e) Formulate and distribute, both intrastate and interstate, a monthly bulletin of missing persons and missing children from South Carolina to law enforcement agencies.

(f) Develop, maintain, and disseminate a directory of resources available for assistance to local, state, and federal agencies and entities, public and private organizations, and others in locating a missing person or missing child.

(g) Provide news media, including, but not limited to, television and radio stations and newspapers, with pertinent information on missing persons and missing children on a regularly scheduled basis.

(h) Develop and disseminate recommended procedures and forms for the collection of identifying information, including but not limited to bloodtyping, fingerprinting, and dental charting, which are compatible with criteria established by the FBI/NCIC.

(i) Maintain all available information on any missing person or missing child including, but not limited to, the missing person report, fingerprints, blood types, dental information, and photographs. The identifying information maintained at the MPIC must be kept confidential, except as may be otherwise provided in this article.

(j) Conduct statewide training sessions and seminars relative to missing and exploited children and missing persons, including, but not limited to, methods to enhance the locating of missing children and missing persons and training regarding the operation of the MPIC.

(k) In the case of locating an individual who had previously been reported as being a missing person or missing child, provide referrals for counseling or other assistance or aid to the individual or the individual's family, if the individual or his family desires counseling or other assistance or aid.

(l) Provide a program of support and technical assistance for community-based efforts, especially in the case of children, to prevent disappearances and to ensure self-protection.

SECTION 23-3-270. Duty of individuals to notify Center and law enforcement agency when missing person has been located.

Any parent, spouse, guardian, legal custodian, or public or private agency or entity who submits a missing person report to a law enforcement agency or to the MPIC, after having first submitted the missing person report to the appropriate law enforcement agency, shall immediately notify the law enforcement agency and the MPIC of any individual whose location has been determined. The MPIC shall instigate and confirm the deletion of the individual's records from the FBI/NCIC's missing person file, as long as there are no grounds for criminal prosecution, and follow up with the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction of the records.

SECTION 23-3-280. Release of information by Center.

The following may make inquiries of, and receive data or information from, the MPIC:

(a) Any police, law enforcement, or criminal justice agency investigating a report of a missing or unidentified person or child, whether living or deceased.

(b) A court, upon a finding by the court that access to the data, information, or records of the MPIC may be necessary for the determination of an issue before the court.

(c) Any solicitor of a judicial circuit in this State or the solicitor's designee or representative.

(d) Any person engaged in bona fide research when approved by the Chief; provided, no names or addresses may be supplied to this person.

SECTION 23-3-290. Prohibition against fees.

The MPIC may not charge any fee for inquiries made to it pursuant to this article.

SECTION 23-3-300. Provision of toll-free phone line; instructions to callers; communication with law enforcement agencies.

The MPIC shall provide a toll-free telephone line for anyone to report the disappearance of any individual or the sighting of any missing child or missing person. MPIC personnel shall instruct the caller, in the case of a report concerning the disappearance of an individual, of the requirements contained in Section 23-3-240 of first having to submit a missing person report on the individual to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction of the area in which the individual became or is believed to have become missing. Any law enforcement agency may retrieve information imparted to the MPIC by means of this phone line. The MPIC must directly communicate any report of a sighting of a missing person or a missing child to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in the area of disappearance or sighting.

SECTION 23-3-310. Improper release of information; penalty.

Any person who knowingly and wilfully releases, or authorizes the release of, any data, information, or records maintained or possessed by the MPIC to any agency, entity, or person other than as specifically permitted by this article or in violation of any regulation promulgated by the MPIC is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment of not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days, or both.

SECTION 23-3-320. Missing Person Task Force.

There is created a Missing Person Task Force composed of five members appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall designate a member as chairman. The Task Force shall study information gathered from the MPIC and the FBI/NCIC in order to make long-range plans concerning the gathering, maintaining, and processing of information and data on missing persons and missing children, concerning the effectiveness of efforts to determine the whereabouts of missing persons and missing children through the efforts of the MPIC, and concerning related matters. The Task Force shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Children on or before July 1, 1986. After submission of this report, the Missing Person Task Force is dissolved. The Task Force may meet as frequently as its chairman or a majority of its members considers necessary. Members of the Task Force are allowed the usual mileage, per diem, and subsistence as provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.


SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY

SECTION 23-3-400. Purpose.

The intent of this article is to promote the state's fundamental right to provide for the public health, welfare, and safety of its citizens. Notwithstanding this legitimate state purpose, these provisions are not intended to violate the guaranteed constitutional rights of those who have violated our nation's laws.

The sex offender registry will provide law enforcement with the tools needed in investigating criminal offenses. Statistics show that sex offenders often pose a high risk of re-offending. Additionally, law enforcement's efforts to protect communities, conduct investigations, and apprehend offenders who commit sex offenses are impaired by the lack of information about these convicted offenders who live within the law enforcement agency's jurisdiction.

SECTION 23-3-410. Registry to be operated by State Law Enforcement Division.

The registry is under the direction of the chief of the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and shall contain information the chief considers necessary to assist law enforcement in the location of persons convicted of certain offenses. SLED shall develop and operate the registry to collect, analyze, and maintain information; to make information available to every enforcement agency in this State and in other states; and to establish a security system to ensure that only authorized persons may gain access to information gathered under this article.

SECTION 23-3-420. Promulgation of regulations.

The State Law Enforcement Division shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this article.

SECTION 23-3-430. Particular convictions rendering person a "sex offender".

(A) Any person, regardless of age, residing in the State of South Carolina who in this State has been convicted of, adjudicated delinquent for, pled guilty or nolo contendere to an offense described below, or who has been convicted, adjudicated delinquent, pled guilty or nolo contendere in any comparable court in the United States, or who has been convicted, adjudicated delinquent, pled guilty or nolo contendere in the United States federal courts of a similar offense, or who has been convicted of, adjudicated delinquent for, pled guilty or nolo contendere to an offense for which the person was required to register in the state where the conviction or plea occurred, shall be required to register pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(B) For purposes of this article, a person who remains in this State for a total of thirty days during a twelve-month period is a resident of this State.

(C) For purposes of this article, a person who has been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been adjudicated delinquent for any of the following offenses shall be referred to as an offender:

(1) criminal sexual conduct in the first degree (Section 16-3-652);

(2) criminal sexual conduct in the second degree (Section 16-3-653);

(3) criminal sexual conduct in the third degree (Section 16-3-654);

(4) criminal sexual conduct with minors, first degree (Section 16-3-655(1));

(5) criminal sexual conduct with minors, second degree. If evidence is presented at the criminal proceeding and the court makes a specific finding on the record that the conviction obtained for this offense resulted from consensual sexual conduct, as contained in Section 16-3-655(3) provided the offender is eighteen years of age or less, or consensual sexual conduct between persons under sixteen years of age, the convicted person is not an offender and is not required to register pursuant to the provisions of this article;

(6) engaging a child for sexual performance (Section 16-3-810);

(7) producing, directing, or promoting sexual performance by a child (Section 16-3-820);

(8) criminal sexual conduct: assaults with intent to commit (Section 16-3-656);

(9) incest (Section 16-15-20);

(10) buggery (Section 16-15-120);

(11) committing or attempting lewd act upon child under sixteen (Section 16-15-140);

(12) peeping, voyeurism, or aggravated voyeurism (Section 16-17-470);

(13) violations of Article 3, Chapter 15 of Title 16 involving a minor;

(14) a person, regardless of age, who has been convicted, adjudicated delinquent, pled guilty or nolo contendere in this State, or who has been convicted, adjudicated delinquent, pled guilty or nolo contendere in a comparable court in the United States, or who has been convicted, adjudicated delinquent, pled guilty or nolo contendere in the United States federal courts of indecent exposure or of a similar offense in other jurisdictions is required to register pursuant to the provisions of this article if the court makes a specific finding on the record that based on the circumstances of the case the convicted person should register as a sex offender;

(15) kidnapping (Section 16-3-910) of a person eighteen years of age or older except when the court makes a finding on the record that the offense did not include a criminal sexual offense or an attempted criminal sexual offense;

(16) kidnapping (Section 16-3-910) of a person under eighteen years of age except when the offense is committed by a parent;

(17) criminal sexual conduct when the victim is a spouse (Section 16-3-658);

(18) sexual battery of a spouse (Section 16-3-615);

(19) sexual intercourse with a patient or trainee (Section 44-23-1150).

(D) Upon conviction, adjudication of delinquency, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere of a person of an offense not listed in this article, the presiding judge may order as a condition of sentencing that the person be included in the sex offender registry if good cause is shown by the solicitor.

(E) SLED shall remove a person's name and any other information concerning that person from the sex offender registry immediately upon notification by the Attorney General that the person's adjudication, conviction, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere for an offense listed in Section 23-3-430(C) was reversed, overturned, or vacated on appeal and a final judgment has been rendered.

SECTION 23-3-440. Notification of sheriff and SLED of offender's release, probation, or change of residence; juvenile offenders.

(1) Prior to an offender's release from the Department of Corrections after completion of the term of imprisonment, or being placed on parole, the Department of Corrections or the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, as applicable, shall notify the sheriff of the county where the offender intends to reside and SLED that the offender is being released and has provided an address within the jurisdiction of the sheriff for that county. The Department of Corrections shall provide verbal and written notification to the offender that he must register with the sheriff of the county in which he intends to reside within twenty-four hours of his release. Further, the Department of Corrections shall obtain descriptive information of the offender, including a current photograph prior to release.

(2) The Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services shall notify SLED and the sheriff of the county where an offender is residing when the offender is sentenced to probation or is a new resident of the State who must be supervised by the department. The Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services also shall provide verbal and written notification to the offender that he must register with the sheriff of the county in which he intends to reside. An offender who is sentenced to probation must register within ten days of sentencing. Further, the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services shall obtain descriptive information of the offender, including a current photograph that is to be updated annually prior to expiration of the probation sentence.

(3) The Department of Juvenile Justice shall notify SLED and the sheriff of the county where an offender is residing when the offender is released from a Department of Juvenile Justice facility or when the Department of Juvenile Justice is required to supervise the actions of the juvenile. The Department of Juvenile Justice must provide verbal and written notification to the juvenile and his parent, legal guardian, or custodian that the juvenile must register with the sheriff of the county in which the juvenile resides. The juvenile must register within twenty-four hours of his release or within ten days if he was not confined to a Department of Juvenile Justice's facility. The parents or legal guardian of a person under seventeen years of age who is required to register under this chapter must ensure that the person has registered.

(4) The Department of Corrections, the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, and the Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide to SLED the initial registry information regarding the offender prior to his release from imprisonment or relief of supervision. This information shall be collected in the event the offender fails to register with his county sheriff.

SECTION 23-3-450. Offender registration with sheriff of county of residence.

The offender shall register with the sheriff of the county in which he resides. To register, the offender must provide information as prescribed by SLED. The sheriff in the county in which the offender resides shall forward all required registration information to SLED within five business days. A copy of this information must be kept by the sheriff's department. The county sheriff shall ensure that all information required by SLED is secured and shall establish specific times of the day during which an offender may register. An offender shall not be considered to have registered until all information prescribed by SLED has been provided to the sheriff.

SECTION 23-3-460. Annual registration for life; notification of whereabouts or residence; periodic photographs of predators.

Any person required to register under this article shall be required to register annually for life. The offender shall register at the sheriff's department in the county where he resides. A person determined by a court to be a sexually violent predator pursuant to state law is required to verify registration and be photographed every ninety days by the sheriff's department in the county in which he resides unless the person is committed to the custody of the State, whereby verification shall be held in abeyance until his release.

If any person required to register under this article changes his address within the same county, that person must send written notice of the change of address to the county sheriff within ten days of establishing the new residence.

If any person required to register under this article changes his address into another county in South Carolina, the person must register with the county sheriff in the new county within ten days of establishing the new residence. The person must also provide written notice within ten days of the change of address in the previous county to the county sheriff with whom the person last registered.

If any person required to register under this article moves outside of South Carolina, the person must provide written notice within ten days of the change of address to a new state to the county sheriff with whom the person last registered.

Any person required to register under this article who moves to South Carolina from another state and is not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections, the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, or the Department of Juvenile Justice at the time of moving to South Carolina must register within ten days of establishing residence in this State.

The sheriff of the county in which the person resides must forward all changes to any information provided by a person required to register under this article to SLED within five business days.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, shall inform, in writing, any new resident who applies for a driver's license, chauffeur's license, vehicle tag, or state identification card of the obligation of sex offenders to register. The department also shall inform, in writing, a person renewing a driver's license, chauffeur's license, vehicle tag, or state identification card of the requirement for sex offenders to register.

SECTION 23-3-470. Failure of offender to register; penalties.

(A) It is the duty of the offender to contact the sheriff in order to register. If an offender fails to register as required by this article, he must be punished as provided in subsection (B).

(B)(1) A person convicted for a first offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be imprisoned for a mandatory period of ninety days, no part of which shall be suspended nor probation granted.

(2) A person convicted for a second offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be imprisoned for a mandatory period of one year, no part of which shall be suspended nor probation granted.

(3) A person convicted for a third or subsequent offense is guilty of a felony and must be imprisoned for a mandatory period of five years, three years of which shall not be suspended nor probation granted.

SECTION 23-3-475. Registering with false information; penalties.

(A) Anyone who knowingly and wilfully gives false information when registering as an offender pursuant to this article must be punished as provided in subsection (B).

(B)(1) A person convicted for a first offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be imprisoned for a mandatory period of ninety days, no part of which shall be suspended nor probation granted.

(2) A person convicted for a second offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be imprisoned for a mandatory period of one year, no part of which shall be suspended nor probation granted.

(3) A person convicted for a third or subsequent offense is guilty of a felony and must be imprisoned for a mandatory period of five years, three years of which shall not be suspended nor probation granted.

SECTION 23-3-480. Notice of duty to register; what constitutes; registration following charge of failure to register not a defense.

(A) An arrest on charges of failure to register, service of an information or complaint for failure to register, or arraignment on charges of failure to register constitutes actual notice of the duty to register. A person charged with the crime of failure to register who asserts as a defense the lack of notice of the duty to register shall register immediately following actual notice through arrest, service, or arraignment. Failure to register after notice as required by this article constitutes grounds for filing another charge of failure to register. Registering following arrest, service, or arraignment on charges does not relieve the offender from the criminal penalty for failure to register before the filing of the original charge.

(B) Section 23-3-470 shall not apply to a person convicted of an offense provided in Section 23-3-430 prior to July 1, 1994, and who was released from custody prior to July 1, 1994, unless the person has been served notice of the duty to register by the sheriff of the county in which the person resides. This person shall register within ten days of the notification of the duty to register.

SECTION 23-3-490. Offender registry information available to public.

(A) Information collected for the offender registry is open to public inspection, upon request to the county sheriff. A sheriff must release information regarding persons required to register under this article to a member of the public if the request is made in writing, on a form prescribed by SLED. The sheriff must provide the person making the request with the full names of the registered sex offenders, any aliases, any other identifying physical characteristics, each offender's date of birth, the home address on file, the offense for which the offender was required to register pursuant to Section 23-3-430, and the date, city, and state of conviction. A photocopy of a current photograph must also be provided. The sheriff must provide to a newspaper with general circulation within the county a listing of the registry for publication.

A sheriff who provides the offender registry for publication or a newspaper which publishes the registry, or any portion of it, is not liable and must not be named as a party in an action to recover damages or seek relief for errors or omissions in the publication of the offender registry; however, if the error or omission was done intentionally , with malice, or in bad faith the sheriff or newspaper is not immune from liability.

(B) A person may request on a form prescribed by SLED a list of registered sex offenders residing in a city, county, or zip code zone or a list of all registered sex offenders within the State from SLED. A person may request information regarding a specific person who is required to register under this article from SLED if the person requesting the information provides the name or address of the person about whom the information is sought. SLED shall provide the person making the request with the full names of the requested registered sex offenders, any aliases, any other identifying physical characteristics, each offender's date of birth, the home address on file, the offense for which the offender was required to register pursuant to Section 23-3-430, and the date, city, and state of conviction. The State Law Enforcement Division may charge a reasonable fee to cover the cost of copying and distributing sex offender registry lists as provided for in this section. These funds must be used for the sole purpose of offsetting the cost of providing sex offender registry lists.

(C) Nothing in subsection (A) prohibits a sheriff from disseminating information contained in subsection (A) regarding persons who are required to register under this article if the sheriff or another law enforcement officer has reason to believe the release of this information will deter criminal activity or enhance public safety. The sheriff shall notify the principals of public and private schools, and the administrator of child day care centers and family day care centers of any offender whose address is within one-half mile of the school or business.

(D) For purposes of this article, information on a person adjudicated delinquent in family court for an offense listed in Section 23-3-430 must be made available to the public in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) If a person has been adjudicated delinquent for committing any of the following offenses, information must be made available to the public pursuant to subsections (A) and (B):

(a) criminal sexual conduct in the first degree (Section 16-3-652);

(b) criminal sexual conduct in the second degree (Section 16-3-653);

(c) criminal sexual conduct with minors, first degree (Section 16-3-655(1));

(d) criminal sexual conduct with minors, second degree (Section 16-3-655(2) and (3));

(e) engaging a child for sexual performance (Section 16-3-810);

(f) producing, directing, or promoting sexual performance by a child (Section 16-3-820); or

(g) kidnapping (Section 16-3-910).

(2) Information shall only be made available, upon request, to victims of or witnesses to the offense, public or private schools, child day care centers, family day care centers, businesses or organizations that primarily serve children, women, or vulnerable adults, as defined in Section 43-35-10(11), for persons adjudicated delinquent for committing any of the following offenses:

(a) criminal sexual conduct in the third degree (Section 16-3-654);

(b) criminal sexual conduct: assaults with intent to commit (Section 16-3-656);

(c) criminal sexual conduct with a minor: assaults with intent to commit (Section 16-3-656);

(d) committing or attempting lewd act upon child under sixteen (Section 16-15-140);

(e) peeping (Section 16-17-470);

(f) incest (Section 16-15-20);

(g) buggery (Section 16-15-120);

(h) violations of Article 3, Chapter 15 of Title 16 involving a minor, which violations are felonies; or

(i) indecent exposure.

(3) A person who is under twelve years of age at the time of his adjudication, conviction, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere for a first offense of any offense listed in Section 23-3-430(C) shall be required to register pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; however, the person's name or any other information collected for the offender registry shall not be made available to the public.

(4) A person who is under twelve years of age at the time of his adjudication, conviction, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere for any offense listed in Section 23-3-430(C) and who has a prior adjudication, conviction, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere for any offense listed in Section 23-3-430(C) shall be required to register pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, and all registry information concerning that person shall be made available to the public pursuant to items (1) and (2).

(5) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the dissemination of all registry information to law enforcement.

(E) For purposes of this section, use of computerized or electronic transmission of data or other electronic or similar means is permitted.

SECTION 23-3-500. Psychiatric or psychological treatment for children adjudicated for certain sex offenses.

A court must order that a child under twelve years of age who is convicted of, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is adjudicated for an offense listed in Section 23-3-430(C) be given appropriate psychiatric or psychological treatment to address the circumstances of the offense for which the child was convicted, pled guilty or nolo contendere, or adjudicated.

SECTION 23-3-510. Persons committing criminal offenses using sex offender registry information; punishment.

A person who commits a criminal offense using information from the sex offender registry disclosed to him pursuant to Section 23-3-490, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(1) For a misdemeanor offense, the maximum fine prescribed by law for the offense may be increased by not more than one thousand dollars, and the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed by law for the offense may be increased by not more than six months.

(2) For a felony offense, the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed by law for the offense may be increased by not more than five years.

SECTION 23-3-520. Immunity of public officials, employees, and agencies for acts or omissions under this article; exceptions; duties regarding disclosure of information.

(A) An appointed or elected public official, public employee, or public agency is immune from civil liability for damages for any act or omission under this article unless the official's, employee's, or agency's conduct constitutes gross negligence.

(B) Nothing in this chapter imposes an affirmative duty on a person to disclose to a member of the public information from the sex offender registry other than on those persons responsible for providing registry information pursuant to their official duties as provided for in this chapter.

(C) Nothing in this section may be construed to mean that information regarding persons on the sex offender registry is confidential except as otherwise provided by law.

SECTION 23-3-530. Protocol manual for sex offender registry.

The State Law Enforcement Division shall develop and maintain a protocol manual to be used by contributing agencies in the administration of the sex offender registry.



SECTION 23-3-600. Short title.

This article may be cited as the State Deoxyribonucleic Acid Identification Record Database Act.

SECTION 23-3-610. State DNA Database established; purpose.

There is established in the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) the State Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Identification Record Database (State DNA Database). The State Law Enforcement Division shall develop DNA profiles on samples for law enforcement purposes and for humanitarian and nonlaw enforcement purposes, as provided for in Section 23-3-640(B).

SECTION 23-3-620. DNA database; offenders required to submit samples.

(A) Following sentencing and at the time of intake at a jail or prison, a sample from which DNA may be obtained for inclusion in the State DNA Database must be provided by:

(1) a person convicted or adjudicated delinquent on or after July 1, 2000, for:

(a) a violent crime (Section 16-1-60), excluding drug trafficking (Sections 44-53-370(e) and 44-53-375(C)); arson in the first degree (Section 16-11-110(A)); and arson in the second degree (Section 16-11-110(B)); or

(b) involuntary manslaughter (Section 16-3-60); the common law offense of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature; criminal sexual conduct in the third degree (Section 16-3-654); assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, third degree (Section 16-3-656); burglary, third degree (Section 16-11-313); spousal sexual battery (Section 16-3-615); spousal sexual battery (Section 16-3-658); criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (Section 16-25-65); eavesdropping or peeping (Section 16-17-470); stalking (Section 16-3-1700); aggravated stalking (Section 16-3-1700); committing or attempting lewd act upon child under sixteen (Section 16-15-140); first degree sexual exploitation of a minor (Section 16-15-395); or sexual intercourse with patient or trainee (Section 44-23-1150); and

(2) any criminal offender convicted or adjudicated delinquent on or after July 1, 2000, who is ordered by the court to provide a sample.

(B) A convicted offender who is required to provide a DNA sample under subsections (A)(1) or (A)(2) but who is not sentenced to a term of confinement must provide a sample as a condition of his sentence. This sample shall be taken at a prison, jail, or other location as specified by the sentencing court.

(C) At such time as possible and before parole or release from confinement, a suitable sample from which DNA may be obtained for inclusion in the State DNA Database must be provided by:

(1) a person who was convicted or adjudicated delinquent before July 1, 2000, and who was sentenced to and is serving a term of confinement on or after July 1, 2000, for:

(a) a violent crime (Section 16-1-60), excluding drug trafficking (Sections 44-53-370(e) and 44-53-375(C)); arson in the first degree (Section 16-11-110(A)); and arson in the second degree (Section 16-11-110(B)); or

(b) involuntary manslaughter (Section 16-3-60); the common law offense of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature; criminal sexual conduct in the third degree (Section 16-3-654); assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, third degree (Section 16-3-656); burglary, third degree (Section 16-11-313); spousal sexual battery (Section 16-3-615); spousal sexual battery (Section 16-3-658); criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (Section 16-25-65); eavesdropping or peeping (Section 16-17-470); stalking (Section 16-3-1700); aggravated stalking (Section 16-3-1700); committing or attempting lewd act upon child under sixteen (Section 16-15-140); first degree sexual exploitation of a minor (Section 16-15-395); or sexual intercourse with patient or trainee (Section 44-23-1150); and

(2) any criminal offender ordered by the court who was convicted or adjudicated delinquent before July 1, 2000, and who was sentenced to and is serving a term of confinement on or after July 1, 2000.

(D) An agency having custody of an offender who is required to provide a DNA sample under subsections (C)(1) or (C)(2) must notify SLED at least three days, excluding weekends and holidays, before the individual is paroled or released from confinement.

(E) At such time as possible and before release from confinement or release from the agency's jurisdiction, a suitable sample from which DNA may be obtained for inclusion in the State DNA Database must be provided as a condition of probation or parole by:

(1) A person convicted or adjudicated delinquent before July 1, 2000, who is serving a probated sentence or is paroled on or after July 1, 2000, for:

(a) a violent crime (Section 16-1-60), excluding drug trafficking (Sections 44-53-370(e) and 44-53-375(C)); arson in the first degree (Section 16-11-110(A)); and arson in the second degree (Section 16-11-110(B)); or

(b) involuntary manslaughter (Section 16-3-60); the common law offense of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature; criminal sexual conduct in the third degree (Section 16-3-654); assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, third degree (Section 16-3-656); burglary, third degree (Section 16-11-313); spousal sexual battery (Section 16-3-615); spousal sexual battery (Section 16-3-658); criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (Section 16-25-65); eavesdropping or peeping (Section 16-17-470); stalking (Section 16-3-1700); aggravated stalking (Section 16-3-1700); committing or attempting lewd act upon child under sixteen (Section 16-15-140); first degree sexual exploitation of a minor (Section 16-15-395); sexual intercourse with patient or trainee (Section 44-23-1150); and

(2) any criminal offender ordered by the court who was convicted or adjudicated delinquent before July 1, 2000, and who is serving a probated sentence or is paroled on or after July 1, 2000.

(F) A person who provides a sample pursuant to this article also must provide such other information as may be required by SLED.

(G) A person required to provide a sample pursuant to this section may be required to provide another sample if the original sample is lost, damaged, contaminated, or unusable for examination.

(H) The provisions of this section apply to juveniles notwithstanding the provisions of Section 20-7-8510.

SECTION 23-3-630. Persons authorized to take DNA sample; immunity from liability.

(A) Only a correctional health nurse technician, physician, registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, laboratory technician, or other appropriately trained health care worker may take a sample from which DNA may be obtained.

(B) A person taking a sample pursuant to this article is immune from liability provided the sample was taken according to recognized medical procedures.

SECTION 23-3-640. Specifications, procedures, and equipment; use of DNA profiles; disposition of samples.

(A) Samples must be taken and submitted to SLED pursuant to specifications and procedures developed by SLED in regulation. SLED shall conduct DNA identification testing, typing, and analysis in accordance with regulations promulgated by the State Law Enforcement Division on samples received for the purpose of developing a DNA profile, and SLED shall use procedures, equipment, supplies, and computer software that is compatible with those used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(B) The DNA profile on a sample may be used:

(1) to develop a convicted offender database to identify suspects in otherwise nonsuspect cases;

(2) to develop a population database when personal identifying information is removed;

(3) to support identification research and protocol development of forensic DNA analysis methods;

(4) to generate investigative leads in criminal investigations;

(5) for quality control or quality assurance purposes, or both;

(6) to assist in the recovery and identification of human remains from mass disasters;

(7) for other humanitarian purposes including identification of missing persons.

(C) The disposition of all samples obtained pursuant to this article are at the discretion of SLED.

SECTION 23-3-650. Confidentiality of DNA profile; disclosure; wilful disclosure or obtaining of DNA information is a misdemeanor.

(A) The results of a DNA profile of an individual provided under this article are confidential and must be securely stored except that SLED shall make available the results to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and to approved crime laboratories which serve these agencies and to the solicitor or the solicitor's designee upon a written or electronic request and in furtherance of an official investigation of a criminal offense. These results also must be made available as required by a court order following a hearing directing SLED to release the record.

(B) A person who wilfully discloses in any manner individually identifiable DNA information contained in the State DNA Database to a person or agency not entitled to receive this information is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(C) A person who, without authorization, wilfully obtains individually identifiable DNA information from the State DNA Database is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

SECTION 23-3-660. Expungement of DNA record; grounds for requesting.

A person whose DNA record has been included in the State DNA Database may request expungement on the grounds that the person's conviction or adjudication has been reversed, set aside, or vacated. SLED shall purge DNA and all other identifiable record information from the State Database and shall destroy the person's sample if SLED receives the person's written request for expungement and a certified copy of the court order reversing, setting aside, or vacating the conviction or adjudication and proof that the identity of the individual making the request is the person whose record is to be expunged. If the person has more than one entry in the State DNA Database, only the entry covered by the expungement request may be expunged.

SECTION 23-3-670. Processing fee; payment by person providing sample.

(A) A person who is required to provide a sample pursuant to this article must pay a two hundred and fifty dollar processing fee which may not be waived by the court. If the person is incarcerated, the fee must be paid before the person is paroled or released from confinement and may be garnished from wages the person earns while incarcerated. If the person is not sentenced to a term of confinement, payment of the fee must be a condition of the person's sentence and may be paid in installments if so ordered by the court.

(B) The processing fee assessed pursuant to this section must be remitted to the general fund of the State and credited to the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the expenses SLED incurs in carrying out the provisions of this article.

SECTION 23-3-680. Promulgation of regulations.

SLED shall promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of this article.

SECTION 23-3-690. Promulgation of regulations for processes regarding samples.

SLED shall promulgate regulations for sample testing and analysis and for sample collection, identification, handling, transporting, and shipment which must be complied with by the agency having jurisdiction over the offender.

SECTION 23-3-700. Implementation of article contingent on funding and regulations; implementation of DNA sample collection.

Implementation of this article and the requirements under this article are contingent upon annual appropriations of sufficient funding and upon promulgation of regulations. However, the State Law Enforcement Division shall begin collecting DNA samples for analysis for crimes outlined in this article no later than July 30, 2000.



SECTION 23-3-1010. National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact ratified; State Law Enforcement Division to administer.

(A) In order to facilitate the authorized interstate exchange of criminal history information for noncriminal justice purposes including, but not limited to, background checks for the licensing and screening of employees and volunteers under the National Child Protection Act of 1993, and to implement the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, 42 U.S.C. Section 14616, the General Assembly approves and ratifies the compact.

(B) The State Law Enforcement Division is the repository of criminal history records for purposes of the compact and must do all things necessary or incidental to carry out the compact.

(C) The Chief of SLED, or his designee, is the state's compact officer and must administer the compact within the State. SLED may adopt rules and establish procedures for the cooperative exchange of criminal history records between the State and federal government and between the State and other party states for use in noncriminal justice cases.

(D) The state's ratification of the compact remains in effect until legislation is enacted which specifically renounces the compact pursuant to Article IX of 42 U.S.C. Section 14616.

(E) The compact and this section do not affect or abridge the obligations and responsibilities of SLED under other provisions of law and do not alter or amend the manner, direct or otherwise, in which the public is afforded access to criminal history records under state law.