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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-760 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY SERVICE INTEGRITY AND PRESERVATION ACT OF 2013", TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO, WITH THE INTENT OF SECURING A TANGIBLE BENEFIT OR PERSONAL GAIN, KNOWINGLY AND FALSELY REPRESENTS HIMSELF TO HAVE SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OR TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED A DECORATION, MEDAL, RIBBON, OR OTHER DEVICE AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS OR PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW FOR THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES, IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 7, Chapter 17, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 16-17-760. (A) This section may be cited as the 'South Carolina Military Service Integrity and Preservation Act of 2013'.
(B) A person who, with the intent of securing a tangible benefit or personal gain, knowingly and falsely represents himself through a written or oral communication, including a resume, to have served in the Armed Forces of the United States or to have been awarded a decoration, medal, ribbon, or other device authorized by Congress or pursuant to federal law for the Armed Forces of the United States is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, may be fined up to five hundred dollars or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both.
(C) For purposes of this section, 'tangible benefit or personal gain' includes:
(1) a benefit relating to military service provided by the federal government or a state or local government;
(2) employment or personal advancement;
(3) financial remuneration;
(4) an effect on the outcome of a criminal or civil court proceeding; or
(5) an impact on one's personal credibility in a political campaign."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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