Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2003 Session > Title 33

This statutory database is current through the 2003 Regular Session of the South Carolina General Assembly. Changes to the statutes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly, which will convene in January 2004, will be incorporated as soon as possible. Some changes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly may take immediate effect. The State of South Carolina and the South Carolina Legislative Council make no warranty as to the accuracy of the data, and users rely on the data entirely at their own risk.




SECTION 33-56-10. Short Title.

This chapter may be cited as the "South Carolina Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act".

SECTION 33-56-20. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is required by the context:

(1)(a) "Charitable organization" means a person, as defined in item (7):

(i) determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be a tax exempt organization pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(ii) that is or holds itself out to be established for any benevolent, social welfare, scientific, educational, environmental, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, public health, civic, or other eleemosynary purpose, or for the benefit of law enforcement personnel, firefighters, or other persons who protect the public safety; or

(iii) that employs a charitable appeal as the basis of solicitation or an appeal that suggests that there is a charitable purpose to a solicitation, or that solicits or obtains contributions solicited from the public for a charitable purpose.

(b) This definition does not include:

(i) a bona fide religious organization or group affiliated with and forming an integral part of the religious organization where no part of the net income inures to the direct benefit of an individual and its conduct is supported primarily by government grants or contracts, funds solicited from its own membership, congregation, or previous donors, or fees charged for services rendered in furtherance of its tax-exempt purpose; or

(ii) a candidate for national, state, or local office or a political party or other group required to file information with the Federal Election Commission or State Election Commission.

(2) "Charitable purpose" means a purpose described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a benevolent, social welfare, scientific, educational, environmental, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, public health, civic, or other eleemosynary objective, including an objective of an organization of law enforcement personnel, firefighters, or other persons who protect the public safety if a stated purpose of the solicitations includes a benefit to a person outside the actual service membership of the organization.

(3) "Commercial co-venturer" means a person that regularly and primarily engages in trade or commerce for profit that, for the benefit of a charitable organization, may raise funds by advertising that the purchase or use of goods, services, entertainment, or other thing of value benefits the charitable organization, if it is offered at a price comparable to similar goods or services in the market.

(4) "Contribution" means the promise, grant, or pledge of money, credit, assistance, or property of any kind or value. It does not include bona fide fees, dues, or assessments paid by members of an organization if membership is not conferred solely as consideration for making a contribution in response to a solicitation, and that membership does not bestow only a right to vote.

(5) "Educational institution" means an organization organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes, which usually maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and usually has a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in attendance at the place where educational activities are regularly conducted. The term "educational institution" also includes the following persons, entities, or institutions if their fundraising activities are not conducted by professional solicitors as defined by this chapter:

(a) an educational institution that is an eleemosynary junior or senior college in South Carolina whose major campus and headquarters are located within this State and which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; and

(b) a person or an entity performing sanctioned fundraising activities on behalf of the educational institutions referenced in subitem (a) above, its foundations, or related or affiliated funds.

(6) "Parent organization" means that part of a charitable organization which coordinates, supervises, or exercises control over policy, fundraising, and expenditures, or assists or advises one or more chapters, branches, or affiliates in this State.

(7) "Person" means an individual, an organization, a trust, a foundation, a group, an association, a partnership, a corporation, a society, or a combination of them.

(8) "Professional fundraising counsel" means a person that for compensation plans, conducts, manages, prepares materials for, advises, or acts as a consultant, directly or indirectly, in connection with soliciting contributions for or on behalf of a charitable organization, but that actually does not solicit contributions as a part of these services. A bona fide salaried officer or employee of a charitable organization maintaining a permanent establishment within this State, or the bona fide salaried officer or employee of a parent organization certified as tax exempt, is not a professional fundraising counsel.

(9) "Professional solicitor" means a person that, for monetary consideration, solicits contributions for or on behalf of a charitable organization, either personally or through its agents, servants, or employees who are specially employed by or for a charitable organization and who are engaged in the solicitation of contributions under the direction of that person. "Professional solicitor" also means a person that plans, conducts, manages, carries on, advises, or acts as a consultant to a charitable organization in connection with the solicitation of contributions but does not qualify as "professional fundraising counsel" within the meaning of this chapter. A bona fide salaried officer, unpaid director, a bona fide employee of a charitable organization, or a part-time student employee of an educational institution is not a professional solicitor. A paid director or employee is not a professional solicitor unless his salary or other compensation is paid as a commission computed on the basis of funds actually raised or to be raised.

(10) "Solicit" and "solicitation" means to request and the request for money, credit, property, financial assistance, or other thing of value, or a portion of it, to be used for a charitable purpose or to benefit a charitable organization. A solicitation takes place whether or not the person making the request receives a contribution.

SECTION 33-56-30. Registration statement; filing; form; contents; fee.

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a charitable organization which intends to solicit contributions within this State or have contributions solicited on its behalf must file a registration statement with the Secretary of State, on forms prescribed by the Secretary of State, by July first of each year but in all cases prior to solicitation. The registration forms and other documents prescribed by the Secretary of State must be (i) signed by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the charitable organization, (ii) certified as true, and (iii) filed, along with a fee of fifty dollars.

(B) The statements must contain:

(1) the name of the organization;

(2) the purpose for which it was organized;

(3) the principal address of the organization and the address of offices in this State. If the organization does not maintain an office, the name and address of the person having custody of its financial records;

(4) the names and addresses of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, directors, trustees, officers, and board members;

(5) the names and addresses of chapters, branches, or affiliates in this State;

(6) the place and date the organization was legally established and the form of its organization;

(7) whether the organization intends to use a professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer or hire individuals to solicit and, if so, their names and contact information;

(8) a copy of any determination letter recognizing the charitable organization's tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service and any changes, amendments, or revocations to that letter unless those documents have been previously filed with the Secretary of State;

(9) the general purpose for which the solicited contributions are to be used;

(10) whether the organization is authorized by another local, state, or federal governmental authority to solicit contributions and, if so, a list of each;

(11) whether the organization is or has been the subject of a legal or administrative action concerning a charitable solicitation, fundraising campaign, or campaign with a commercial co-venturer by another local, state, or federal governmental authority including, but not limited to, registration or license revocation or denial, fines, injunctions, or suspensions, and an explanation of all actions;

(12) whether any of the organization's officers, directors, trustees, or board members have been the subject of a criminal conviction, including guilty or nolo contendere pleas, involving any charitable solicitations act, fraud, dishonesty, or false statement in a jurisdiction within the United States and, if so, a description and date of any such conviction;

(13) the charitable organization's Federal Employer's Identification Number (EIN);

(14) the name and address of the registered agent of the charitable organization, if incorporated;

(15) an annual financial report for the immediately preceding fiscal year filed on forms prescribed by the Secretary of State or on the Internal Revenue Service Form 990, 990EZ, or 990PF, unless that report already has been filed with the Secretary of State;

(16) a statement as to the relationship of any of the charitable organization's officers, directors, trustees, or board members by blood, marriage, or adoption to:

(a) each other; or

(b) a director or an officer of a professional fundraising counsel or professional solicitor under contract with the charitable organization.

If so, the names and addresses of the related parties.

SECTION 33-56-40. Children's Trust Fund of South Carolina exempt from fee.

The Children's Trust Fund of South Carolina as established by Section 20-7-5010 is required to register with the Secretary of State but is not required to pay the annual registration fee provided for in Section 33-56-30.

SECTION 33-56-45. Registration and fee requirements for fire departments.

A fire department conducting or intending to conduct a professional solicitation of charitable funds may comply with the registration and fee requirements of this chapter if the local governing body having jurisdiction over that department and other departments in its area singly registers the multiple departments annually and pays a single annual registration fee of fifty dollars pursuant to Section 33-56-30. The single annual registration and fee payment of fifty dollars effectively registers all fire departments within the jurisdiction of the local governing body. Recordkeeping is the responsibility of individual fire departments, and the Secretary of State shall provide all registered fire departments with the appropriate forms.

SECTION 33-56-50. Organizations exempt from registration provisions; alternate filing.

(A) The following are not required to file registration statements with the Secretary of State if their fundraising activities are not conducted by professional solicitors, professional fundraising counsel, or commercial co-venturers:

(1) an educational institution which solicits contributions from only its students and their families, alumni, faculty, friends, and other constituencies, trustees, corporations, foundations, and individuals who are interested in and supportive of the programs of the institution;

(2) a person requesting contributions for the relief of an individual specified by name at the time of the solicitation when all of the contributions collected, without deductions of any kind, are turned over to the named beneficiary for his use, as long as the person soliciting the contributions is not a named beneficiary;

(3) a charitable organization which (a) does not intend to solicit or receive contributions from the public in excess of five thousand dollars during a calendar year, or (b)(i) does not intend to solicit or receive contributions from the public in excess of twenty thousand dollars in a calendar year and (ii) has received a letter of tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service, if all functions, including fundraising activities, of the organization exempted pursuant to this item are conducted by persons who are compensated no more than five hundred dollars in a year for their services and no part of their assets or income inures to the benefit of or is paid to an officer or a member. If the contributions raised from the public, whether or not the contributions are actually received by a charitable organization during any calendar year, are in excess of these amounts, within thirty days after the date the contributions exceed these amounts, the organization must register with and report to the Secretary of State as required by this chapter;

(4) an organization which solicits exclusively from its membership, including a utility cooperative;

(5) a veterans' organization which has a congressional charter; and

(6) the State, its political subdivisions, and an agency or a department of the State which are subject to the disclosure provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

(B) A charitable organization claiming to be exempt from the registration provisions of this chapter and which solicits charitable contributions must submit annually to the Secretary of State, on forms prescribed by the Secretary of State, the name, address, and purpose of the organization and a statement setting forth the reason for the claim for exemption. If appropriate, the Secretary of State or his appropriate division shall issue a letter of exemption which may be exhibited to the public. A filing fee is not required of an exempt organization.

SECTION 33-56-55. Application of chapter to parent-teacher associations or local chambers of commerce; reporting not required.

The provisions of this chapter do not apply to a parent-teacher association affiliated with a school or to a local chamber of commerce. Reporting of fundraising activities or other reporting pursuant to this chapter is not required of a parent-teacher association or a local chamber of commerce whether or not they would be considered exempt organizations under Section 33-56-50, if none of the fundraising activities are conducted by professional solicitors.

SECTION 33-56-60. Report of financial activities; filing requirements; contents; filing IRS Form 990, 990EZ, or 990PF as an alternative; penalty for failure to file.

(A) A charitable organization soliciting funds in this State, whether individually or collectively with other organizations, and not exempt pursuant to Section 33-56-50, shall file in the office of the Secretary of State an annual report of its financial activities, on forms prescribed by the Secretary of State or on Internal Revenue Service Form 990, 990EZ, or 990PF, certified to be true by the organization's chief executive officer and chief financial officer. The report must cover the preceding fiscal year and must be filed within four and one-half months of the close of the organization's fiscal year unless a written extension has been granted by the Secretary of State. To receive an extension, the organization must file with the Secretary of State a copy of the extension request submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.

(B) The annual financial report must include:

(1) specific and itemized support and revenue statements disclosing direct public support from solicitation, indirect public support, government grants, program service revenue, and other revenue. The report must disclose the amount of direct public support received from direct mail solicitation, telephone solicitation, commercial co-venturers, door-to-door solicitations, telethons, and all other itemized sources;

(2) specific and itemized expense statements disclosing program services, public information expenditures, fundraising costs, payments to affiliates, management costs, and salaries paid; and

(3) balance sheet disclosures containing total assets and liabilities.

(C) If a charitable organization is required or elects to file a completed Internal Revenue Service Form 990, 990EZ, or 990PF, the organization may file the form with the Secretary of State instead of the report required by subsection (A); however, the form may exclude the information which the Internal Revenue Service would not release pursuant to a Freedom of Information request.

(D) An organization which fails to file a timely annual financial report required by this section may be enjoined from further solicitation of funds in this State in an action brought by the Secretary of State and is ineligible to renew its registration as a charitable organization until the required financial statements are filed with the Secretary of State. An organization which fails to file a timely annual financial report required by this section may be assessed by the Secretary of State administrative fines of ten dollars for each day of noncompliance for each delinquent report not to exceed two thousand dollars for each separate violation.

SECTION 33-56-70. Contracts with professional solicitors to be in writing; filing requirements; joint financial report for each campaign; penalty for noncompliance.

(A) A contract or agreement between any professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer and a charitable organization must be in writing and filed, along with a Notice of Solicitation form, with the Secretary of State at least ten days before the professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer begins any solicitation activity or any other activity contemplated by the contract or agreement in this State. Solicitations or services pursuant to a contract may not begin in this State until the contract has been filed with the Secretary of State and until both the charitable organization and the professional solicitor or professional fundraising counsel are registered properly with the Secretary of State.

(B) A contract filed pursuant to this section must disclose the following, if applicable:

(1) legal name and alias name, address, and registration number, if any, of the professional solicitor, professional fundraising counsel, or commercial co-venturer;

(2) legal name, address, and registration number of the charitable organization;

(3) name and residence address of each person directing or supervising the contract solicitation services;

(4) description of the event or campaign;

(5) date the solicitation or campaign commences;

(6) date the solicitation or campaign terminates;

(7) statement of the guaranteed minimum percentage of gross receipts to be remitted or retained by the charitable organization, excluding the amount which the charitable organization must pay for fundraising costs;

(8) statement of the percentage of gross receipts with which the professional solicitor, professional fundraising counsel, or commercial co-venturer is compensated, including the amount the professional solicitor, professional fundraising counsel, or commercial co-venturer must be reimbursed as payment for fundraising costs; and

(9) if applicable, the maximum dollar amount that will benefit the charitable organization.

(C) Every Notice of Solicitation form filed pursuant to this section must disclose:

(1) legal name and alias name, address, and registration number of the professional solicitor, professional fundraising counsel, or commercial co-venturer;

(2) legal name, address, and registration number of the charitable organization;

(3) date the solicitation activity commences and terminates;

(4) name and residence address of phone room directors for any solicitation activities;

(5) location, including physical address, and telephone numbers from which the solicitation activity, including telephone solicitations, is conducted;

(6) description of all solicitation activity; and

(7) the terms of remuneration for the campaign or event pursuant to the contract.

(D) Within ninety days after a solicitation campaign has been completed, or within ninety days after the anniversary of a solicitation campaign lasting more than one year, the professional solicitor must file with the Secretary of State a joint financial report for the campaign, including gross revenue, an itemization of expenses, and the amount paid to the sponsor. This joint financial report must be completed on the form prescribed by the Secretary of State, signed by both an authorized official of the professional solicitor and an authorized official of the charitable organization, and certified to be true.

(E) A professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer failing to comply with this section is ineligible to renew its registration or continue solicitation activities or campaigns until the required information is filed and is liable for an administrative fine not to exceed ten dollars for each day of noncompliance, with a maximum fine of two thousand dollars for each separate violation.

SECTION 33-56-80. Filings to be public records.

Registration statements and applications, reports, professional fundraising counsel contracts, professional solicitor contracts, or commercial co-venturer contracts, and all other documents and information required to be filed pursuant to this chapter or by the Secretary of State are public records in the office of the Secretary of State and are open to the general public for inspection at a time and under conditions as the Secretary of State may prescribe. The Secretary of State shall publish and make available to the public and to persons subject to this chapter explanatory information concerning this chapter, the duties imposed by this chapter, and the means for enforcing this chapter.

SECTION 33-56-90. Disclosures to solicited parties; penalties.

(A) At the initial time of solicitation, a professional solicitor must disclose its status as a "professional" or "paid" solicitor. The professional solicitor also must disclose the registered true name of the professional fundraising organization for which it works and the registered true name, location, and purpose of the charitable organizations for which it is soliciting. Upon oral or written request of the solicited party, a professional solicitor also must disclose the percentage of gross receipts with which the professional solicitor is compensated including the amount the professional solicitor must be reimbursed as payment for fundraising costs. The professional solicitor also must disclose the guaranteed minimum percentage of gross receipts to be remitted or retained by the charitable organization excluding the amount which the charitable organization must pay for fundraising costs.

(B) Upon oral or written request by the solicited party, the professional solicitor must deliver to the solicited party within fifteen business days of the request a:

(1) financial statement of the charitable organization disclosing assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue, and expenses for the preceding fiscal year. This financial statement must be the most recently submitted annual financial report pursuant to Section 33-56-60; and

(2) copy of the professional solicitor's or charitable organization's current registration certification from the Secretary of State.

(C) A professional solicitor that fails to comply with the provisions of this section is liable for an administrative fine not to exceed two thousand dollars for each separate violation.

(D) An offense committed in violation of this section is considered to have been committed at the place where the solicitation either was initiated or was received.

SECTION 33-56-100. Fiscal records; retention for three years.

In accordance with the regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State, a charitable organization, professional solicitor, professional fundraising counsel, or commercial co-venturer subject to the provisions of this chapter must keep the true fiscal records as to its activities in this State. The records must be retained for at least three years after the end of the period of registration to which they relate.

SECTION 33-56-110. Registration of professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor; application; surety bond; duration of registration; penalties; ineligible persons.

(A) A person may not act as a professional fundraising counsel or professional solicitor for a charitable organization subject to the provisions of this chapter without first having registered with the Secretary of State. Registration includes filing of a complete application and filing fee. An application for registration must be in writing under oath or affirmation in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State. The application for registration by a professional fundraising counsel or professional solicitor must be signed by its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, certified as true, and accompanied by an annual fee of fifty dollars.

(B) The application for a professional fundraising counsel or professional solicitor must include the:

(1) legal name of the applicant;

(2) principal address of the applicant and address of officers and directors of the applicant;

(3) list of employees, whether full time, part time, or contract, and their job titles;

(4) form of the applicant's business;

(5) names, addresses, and titles of all current principal officers, directors, individual owners, or partners, and those for the preceding three years;

(6) list of the full names and addresses of each state in which an applicant is registered currently as a professional fundraising counsel or professional solicitor;

(7) list of charitable organizations with which an applicant contracted in this State for the previous three years;

(8) registration fee of fifty dollars;

(9) statement as to whether the applicant, or its directors, principal officers, individual owners, or partners is or has been the subject of a legal or administrative action, including an injunction, concerning a charitable solicitation, fundraising campaign, or campaign with a commercial co-venturer by another local, state, or federal governmental authority including, but not limited to, registration or license revocation or denial, fines, injunctions, suspensions, or voluntary agreement to discontinue any charitable solicitation activity and, if so, a written explanation of those actions;

(10) statement as to whether the applicant, or its directors, principal officers, individual owners, or partners has been the subject of a criminal conviction, including guilty or nolo contendere pleas, involving any charitable solicitations act, fraud, dishonesty, or false statement in a jurisdiction within the United States and, if so, a description and date of any such conviction;

(11) applicant's Federal EIN if incorporated or Social Security number if acting as a sole proprietor;

(12) list of individuals who serve as couriers or employees to personally collect contributed funds from solicited parties, as applicable; and

(13) statement as to the relationship of any of the officers, directors, trustees, or board members of a professional fundraising counsel or professional solicitor to:

(a) each other; or

(b) a director, officer, agent, or employee of a charitable organization under contract with the professional fundraising counsel or solicitor.

(C) At the time of application, a professional solicitor must file with and have approved by the Secretary of State a surety bond, and a list of all professional solicitors operating under the bond. The applicant or its employer must be the principal obligor in the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, with one or more sureties that are satisfactory to the Secretary of State and whose liability in the aggregate as the sureties at least equals that sum, and must maintain the bond in effect so long as a registration is in effect. A deposit of cash in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars may be accepted instead of the bond. The bond shall run to the State of South Carolina for the use of the Secretary of State or his appropriate division and a person who has cause of action against the obligor of the bond for losses resulting from malfeasance, nonfeasance, or misfeasance in the conduct of solicitation activities or any violation of this chapter. A partnership or corporation which is a professional solicitor may file a consolidated bond on behalf of all its members, officers, and employees.

(D) Each registration is valid throughout the State for one year and may be renewed for additional one-year periods upon written application under oath in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State and upon payment of the fee prescribed in this chapter.

(E) A professional solicitor or professional fundraising counsel that fails to comply with the provisions of this section is liable for an administrative fine of ten dollars for each day of noncompliance, not to exceed two thousand dollars for each separate violation.

(F) A professional solicitor or professional fundraising counsel that has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a crime involving charitable solicitation activities or a felony involving fraud, dishonesty, or false statement in a jurisdiction within the United States in the past five years may be ineligible for registration as a professional solicitor or professional fundraising counsel in the State of South Carolina.

SECTION 33-56-120. Misrepresentations prohibited.

(A) In connection with the solicitation of contributions for or the sale of goods or services, a person shall not misrepresent or mislead, knowingly and wilfully, a person by any manner, means, practice, or device.

(B) A charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, or professional solicitor shall not use or exploit the fact of registration so as to lead the public to believe that the registration in any way constitutes an endorsement or approval by the State. However, the use of the following statement is not considered a prohibited exploitation: "Registered with the Secretary of State as required by law". Registration does not imply endorsement of a public solicitation for contributions.

(C) In connection with the solicitation of contributions or the sale of goods or services for charitable purposes, a person shall not represent to or mislead a person by any manner, means, practice, or device to believe that another person sponsors or endorses the solicitation of contributions, sale of goods or services for charitable purposes, or approves of the charitable purposes or a charitable organization connected with it when the other person has not given written consent to the use of his name for these purposes. A member of the board of directors or trustees of a charitable organization or another person who has agreed either to serve or to participate in a voluntary capacity in the campaign is considered to have given his consent to the use of his name in the campaign.

(D) A person shall not make any representation that he is soliciting contributions for or on behalf of a charitable organization or shall not use or display any emblem, device, or printed matter belonging to or associated with a charitable organization for the purpose of soliciting or inducing contributions from the public without first being authorized to do so by the charitable organization.

(E) For the purpose of soliciting contributions from a person in this State, a person shall not use the name of another person except that of an officer, a director, or a trustee of the charitable organization by or for which contributions are solicited, without the written consent of the other person. A person is considered to have used the name of another person for the purpose of soliciting contributions if the latter person's name is listed on any stationery, advertisement, brochure, or correspondence in or by which a contribution is solicited by or on behalf of a charitable organization or if his name is listed or referred to in connection with a request for a contribution as one who has contributed to, sponsored, or endorsed the charitable organization or its activities.

(F) Nothing contained in subsection (E) prevents the publication of names of contributors, without their written consent, in an annual or other periodic report issued by a charitable organization for the purpose of reporting on its operations and affairs to its membership or for the purpose of reporting contributions to contributors.

(G) A person shall not knowingly or wilfully use a misleading practice or device to solicit the contribution or sale of goods or services for a charitable purpose in connection with a declared state of emergency or disaster as described in Section 39-5-147. Penalties provided in this chapter are cumulative of and in addition to those provided in Section 39-5-147.

SECTION 33-56-130. Foreign organizations and solicitors deemed to appoint secretary as agent for service.

If a charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer soliciting contributions from people in this State and having a principal place of business outside the State, or organized under and by virtue of the laws of a foreign state, is subject to the provisions of this chapter and does not otherwise appoint a registered agent for service of process, that charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer is considered to have appointed irrevocably the Secretary of State as an agent upon whom may be served summons, subpoena, subpoena duces tecum, or other process directed to the charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer or a partner, principal officer, or director of it in any action or proceeding brought pursuant to this chapter. Service of process is made by delivering to and leaving with the Secretary of State, or with any person designated to receive service at the office of the Secretary of State, duplicate copies of the process, notice, or demand. The service is sufficient service if notice of the service and a copy of the process are sent by the Secretary of State to the charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer, by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested, at the address provided for in the registration form required to be filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to this chapter or, in default of the filing of the form, at the last address known to the Secretary of State. Service of process is complete ten days after the receipt by the Secretary of State of a return receipt purporting to be signed by the addressee or a person qualified to receive the registered or certified mail, in accordance with the accepted practices of the United States Postal Service or, if acceptance was refused by the addressee, ten days after the return to the Secretary of State of the original envelope bearing a notation by the postal authorities that receipt of it was refused.

SECTION 33-56-140. Investigations; notice of noncompliance; grounds for injunction; rejection of filings; hearings and appeals.

(A) Upon his own motion or upon complaint of any person, the Secretary of State may investigate any charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer to determine if it has violated the provisions of this chapter or has filed an application, or other information required by this chapter, which contains false or misleading statements. The Secretary of State may subpoena or audit persons and require the production of books, papers, and other documents to aid in the investigation of alleged violations of this chapter.

(B) If a charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer fails to file a registration application, statement, report, or other information required to be filed with the Secretary of State by this chapter, or otherwise violates the provisions of this chapter, the Secretary of State must notify the delinquent charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer of this fact by mailing a notice by registered or certified mail, with return receipt requested, to its last known address. If the required registration application, statement, annual report, assurance of voluntary compliance, or other information is not filed, or if the other existing violation is not discontinued, within fifteen days after the formal notification or receipt of the notice, the Secretary of State may assess an administrative fine not to exceed two thousand dollars for each separate violation against the charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer.

(C) In addition to other actions authorized by law, the Secretary of State, if he has reason to believe that one or more of the following acts or violations listed below has occurred or may occur, may bring an action to enjoin the charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, commercial co-venturer, or other person from continuing the act or violation, or doing any other acts in furtherance of it, and for other relief as the court considers appropriate:

(1) a person knowingly and wilfully operates in violation of the provisions of this chapter;

(2) a person knowingly and wilfully makes a false statement in any registration application, statement, report, or other information required to be filed by this chapter;

(3) a person fails to file a registration statement, annual financial report, or other document required to be filed by this chapter;

(4) a person is using in the solicitation or collection of contributions any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud or to obtain money or property by means of false pretense, representation, or promise;

(5) the officers or representatives of a charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer refuse or fail, after notice, to produce records of the organization; or

(6) the funds raised by solicitation activities are not devoted to the charitable purposes of the charitable organization.

(D) Any registration application, statement, report, or other information required to be filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to this chapter by a charitable organization, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer which contains false or misleading statements may be rejected by the Secretary of State and returned to the submitting party without being filed.

(E) A person that is assessed an administrative fine or enjoined from any solicitation activity for any violation of this chapter, or that is denied registration has thirty days from receipt of certified notice from the Secretary of State to pay the fine or request an evidentiary hearing before an administrative law judge. A person who fails to remit fines or request a hearing after the required notice is given and after thirty days from the date of receipt of certified notice has elapsed may be enjoined from engaging in further charitable solicitation activities in this State and may have its registration suspended pending final resolution. A person may appeal an adverse ruling from an evidentiary hearing to the circuit court. An appeal to the circuit court is governed by the standard of review provided in the Administrative Procedures Act and case law interpreting that provision.

(F) The Secretary of State may exercise the authority granted in this section against a person that operates under the guise or pretense of being an organization exempted by the provisions of Section 33-56-40 or 33-56-50 but is not in fact an organization entitled to the exemption.

SECTION 33-56-145. Penalties.

(A) A person that knowingly and wilfully violates a provision of this chapter with the intent to deceive or defraud an individual or a charitable organization is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. For a second offense or subsequent offense, a person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(B) A person that knowingly and wilfully gives false or misleading information to the Secretary of State in a registration, filing statement, or report required by this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. For a second offense or subsequent offense, a person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(C) A person that is convicted or pleads guilty or nolo contendere pursuant to subsection (A) or (B) forfeits the bond described in Section 33-56-110 to the Secretary of State and is prohibited from serving as a professional solicitor or fundraising counsel in this State for a minimum of five years from the date of the conviction.

(D) A violation of this chapter involving a solicitation is considered to be committed at the place where the solicitation was either initiated or was received.

SECTION 33-56-150. Division of Public Charities; Director.

There is created in the office of the Secretary of State a Division of Public Charities which, under the direction and control of the Secretary of State, shall perform the duties imposed upon it by the provisions of this chapter. The executive and administrative head of the division is the Director of Public Charities designated by the Secretary of State.

SECTION 33-56-160. Administrative fines and fees; disposition.

The first two hundred thousand dollars in administrative fine revenue received pursuant to this chapter in a fiscal year may be retained by the Secretary of State to offset the expenses of enforcing this chapter. All administrative fines collected pursuant to this chapter in excess of two hundred thousand dollars in a fiscal year must be transmitted to the State Treasurer and deposited in the state general fund. All fees collected pursuant to this chapter must be transmitted to the State Treasurer and deposited in a fund separate and distinct from the state general fund and used by the Secretary of State for the purpose of administering the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 33-56-170. Definitions of "charitable organization" and "employee" for purposes of Section 33-56-180.

For purposes of Section 33-56-180:

(1) "Charitable organization" means any organization, institution, association, society, or corporation which is exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) or 501(d) of Title 26 of the United States Code, as amended.

(2) "Employee" means an agent, servant, employee, or officer of a charitable organization.

SECTION 33-56-180. Limitation of liability for injury or death caused by employee of charitable organization.

(A) A person sustaining an injury or dying by reason of the tortious act of commission or omission of an employee of a charitable organization, when the employee is acting within the scope of his employment, may recover in an action brought against the charitable organization only the actual damages he sustains in an amount not exceeding the limitations on liability imposed in the South Carolina Tort Claims Act in Chapter 78 of Title 15. An action against the charitable organization pursuant to this section constitutes a complete bar to any recovery by the claimant, by reason of the same subject matter, against the employee of the charitable organization whose act or omission gave rise to the claim unless it is alleged and proved in the action that the employee acted in a reckless, wilful, or grossly negligent manner, and the employee must be joined properly as a party defendant. A judgment against an employee of a charitable organization may not be returned unless a specific finding is made that the employee acted in a reckless, wilful, or grossly negligent manner. If the charitable organization for which the employee was acting cannot be determined at the time the action is instituted, the plaintiff may name as a party defendant the employee, and the entity for which the employee was acting must be added or substituted as party defendant when it reasonably can be determined.

(B) If the actual damages from the injury or death giving rise to the action arose from the use or operation of a motor vehicle and exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars, this section does not prevent the injured person from recovering benefits pursuant to Section 38-77-160 but in an amount not to exceed the limits of the uninsured or underinsured coverage.

SECTION 33-56-190. Exchange of information with other states.

The Secretary of State may enter into agreements with the appropriate authority of another state for the purpose of exchanging information with respect to charitable organizations, professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitors, and commercial co-venturers.

SECTION 33-56-200. Severability of provisions.

The provisions of this chapter are severable. The unconstitutionality of one section or clause does not affect the constitutionality of the entire chapter.