S 0952 General Bill, By Thomas

Similar(H 4486)
 A Bill to amend Section 20-7-50, as amended, Code of Laws of South Carolina,
 1976, relating to criminal neglect of a child or helpless person so as to
 include neglect of a fetus.

   12/20/93  Senate Prefiled
   12/20/93  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/11/94  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-48
   01/11/94  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-48

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-50, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CRIMINAL NEGLECT OF A CHILD OR HELPLESS PERSON SO AS TO INCLUDE NEGLECT OF A FETUS.

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

SECTION 1. Section 20-7-50 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Section 55 of Act 181 of 1993, is further amended to read:

"Section 20-7-50. It is unlawful for a woman who is pregnant or a person who has the legal custody of a child or helpless person, without lawful excuse, to refuse or neglect to provide the proper care and attention, as defined in Section 20-7-490, for the fetus, child, or helpless person, so that the life, health, or comfort of the fetus, child, or helpless person is endangered or is likely to be endangered.

A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both."

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