S 0569 General Bill, By J.V. Smith, Fair, Bryan, Saleeby, Alexander, Martin, 
Anderson, Giese, Ryberg, Mescher and Thomas
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 16-17-475 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS A FELONY TO VIDEO RECORD A PERSON IN A
 HOME OR OTHER LOCATION IN WHICH THE PERSON HAS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF
 PRIVACY, TO PROVIDE A PENALTY, AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION.

   03/04/99  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-8
   03/04/99  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-8

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-475 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS A FELONY TO VIDEO RECORD A PERSON IN A HOME OR OTHER LOCATION IN WHICH THE PERSON HAS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY, TO PROVIDE A PENALTY, AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 16-17-475. (A) It is unlawful for an individual to video record the actions of a person in a home or another location in which the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years.

(B) The provisions of this section shall not apply to filming, videotaping, or photographing by law enforcement officers pursuant to a lawful criminal investigation or correctional officials and local or regional jail officials for security purposes or for investigations of alleged misconduct involving a person committed to the Department of Corrections. The provisions of this section shall also not apply to persons licensed and bonded pursuant to Section 40-17-50 acting in the course of a lawful investigation."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.