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TO AMEND SECTION 20-4-50, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO HEARINGS REGARDING ORDERS OF PROTECTION FROM DOMESTIC ABUSE, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A TEN-DAY TEMPORARY ORDER OF PROTECTION FOR ABUSED PERSONS OR PERSONS ON WHOSE BEHALF A PETITION IS FILED.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 20-4-50 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 329 of 2002, is further amended to read:
"Section 20-4-50. (aA) Within twenty-four hours after service of a petition under pursuant to the provisions of this chapter upon the respondent, the court may, for good cause shown, may hold an emergency hearing and issue an order of protection if the petitioner proves the allegation of abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. A prima facie showing of immediate and present danger of bodily injury, which may be verified by supporting affidavits, constitutes good cause for purposes of this section.
(bB) If the court denies the motion for a twenty-four-hour hearing or such a hearing is not requested, the petitioner may request and the court must grant the petitioner a ten-day temporary order of protection and schedule a hearing within fifteen days of the filing of a petition. The court must cause a copy of the petition to be served upon the respondent at least five days prior to the hearing, except as provided in subsection (aA), in the same manner required for service in the circuit courts. Where When service is not accomplished five days prior to the hearing, the respondent, upon his motion, is entitled to a continuance until such time is necessary to provide for compliance with this section."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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