Current Status Bill Number:3851 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19970409 Primary Sponsor:Davenport All Sponsors:Davenport, Altman, Neilson, J. Hines, Loftis, Lanford, Lee, Easterday, Tripp, Beck, Keegan, Whatley, Bauer, Haskins, Cato and Leach Drafted Document Number:psd\7214ac.97 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 25 HJ Subject:Child abuse or neglect report, false report unlawful; Minors, Social Services Department
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved ______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________ House 19970409 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ referred to CommitteeView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-567 SO AS TO CREATE A MISDEMEANOR FOR KNOWINGLY MAKING A FALSE REPORT OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, TO PROVIDE PENALTIES AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO CONVEY TO A PERSON MAKING A REPORT THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE A FALSE REPORT AND THE PENALTIES FOR DOING SO.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 20-7-567. (A) It is unlawful to knowingly make a false report of abuse or neglect.
(B) A person who violates subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ninety days, or both.
(C) When receiving a report of abuse or neglect by phone, the Department of Social Services verbally shall convey to the person reporting that it is unlawful to knowingly make a false report and the penalties for doing so."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.