Bill 781

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               781
Ratification Number:       412
Act Number                 467
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Relating to the composition of the South
                           Carolina State Guard

(A467, R412, S781)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-30, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE PROVISION THAT THE STATE GUARD CAN ONLY BE COMPOSED OF ABLE-BODIED MALE CITIZENS, AND TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-40, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS FOR COMMISSION OR ENLISTMENT IN THE STATE GUARD, SO AS TO REVISE SUCH QUALIFICATIONS.

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

Composition of force

Section 1. Section 25-3-30 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 25-3-30. Such force shall be composed of officers, commissioned or assigned, and enlisted persons as shall volunteer for service therein."

Qualifications for persons commissioned or enlisted

Section 2. Section 25-3-40 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 25-3-40. In order to be commissioned or enlisted in such force, a person must meet the following qualifications:

(a) be a resident of this State and a citizen of the United States or be a resident of this State who has declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States;

(b) has not been dishonorably discharged from any military or naval organization of this State, another state, or the United States;

(c) be at least seventeen years old.

In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, preference shall be accorded veterans of former wars so far as may be consistent with the public interest and both males and females may serve in such force as officers and as enlisted persons."

Time effective

Section 3. This act shall take effect upon the approval by the Governor.