Current Status Bill Number:7 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19970114 Primary Sponsor:Rose All Sponsors:Rose Drafted Document Number:res1076.mtr Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Banking and Insurance Committee 02 SBI Subject:Motor vehicle liability insurance, proof of required
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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Senate 19970114 Introduced, read first time, 02 SBI
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 10, TITLE 56, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-10-225, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT PROOF OF MOTOR VEHICLE LIABILITY INSURANCE BE MAINTAINED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES; TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO ASCERTAIN THE PRESENCE OF THE PROOF IN EVERY MOTOR VEHICLE THAT IS STOPPED; TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PENALTIES IN THIS SECTION ARE IN ADDITION TO, AND NOT IN LIEU OF, ANY OTHER PENALTY PROVIDED BY LAW, PROVIDE THAT THE REQUIRED PROOF MUST BE PROVIDED EVERY QUARTER FOR ONE YEAR AFTER BEING CITED FOR DRIVING WITHOUT PROOF OF LIABILITY INSURANCE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT FAILURE TO PROVIDE THIS PROOF WHEN REQUIRED SHALL CAUSE THE DRIVER'S LICENSE TO BE SUSPENDED UNTIL SATISFACTORY PROOF IS PROVIDED.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 3, Chapter 10, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-10-225. (A) Every person whose application for registration and licensing of a motor vehicle has been approved by the department shall maintain in the motor vehicle at all times proof that the motor vehicle is an insured vehicle in conformity with the laws of this State.
(B) The owner of a motor vehicle must maintain proof of financial responsibility in the motor vehicle at all times and it must be displayed upon demand of a police officer or any other person duly authorized by law.
(C) Any person who fails to maintain the proof in his motor vehicle as required by subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must suffer the same punishment as provided by law for failure of the person driving or in control of a motor vehicle to carry the vehicle registration card and to display the registration card upon demand. Any person failing to maintain in his vehicle the proof required pursuant to subsection (A), within thirty days of being cited for such failure, shall provide the proof or have his driver's license suspended until satisfactory proof is provided. Further, this proof must be provided every quarter for one year after being cited for driving without proof of liability insurance. Failure to provide this proof when required shall cause his driver's license to be suspended until satisfactory proof is provided.
(D) The penalties provided in subsection (C) are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other penalty, of whatever nature, provided by law for failing to act as required in subsection (A)."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.