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TO AMEND SECTION 40-18-110, SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS, 1976, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES HIRED TO PROTECT REAL PROPERTY, TO ENACT "JIM'S LAW" TO REQUIRE AN EMPLOYER WHO HIRES A PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICE TO PLACE A SIGN IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON THE PROPERTY STATING THE SECURITY OFFICER HAS THE SAME ARREST AUTHORITY ON THE PROPERTY GRANTED TO SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, TO PROVIDE FOR A FINE FOR FAILURE TO PLACE A SIGN ON THE PROPERTY, AND TO CLARIFY THAT FAILURE TO PLACE A SIGN DOES NOT AFFECT THE ARREST AUTHORITY GRANTED TO SECURITY OFFICERS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. This act may be cited as "Jim's Law".
SECTION 2. Section 40-18-110 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 40-18-110. (A) A person who is registered or licensed under this chapter and who is hired or employed to provide security services on specific property is granted the authority and arrest power given to sheriff's deputies. The security officer may arrest a person violating or charged with violating a criminal statute of this State but possesses the powers of arrest only on the property on which he is employed.
(B)(1) An employer who has hired or employed a security officer registered or licensed under this chapter to provide security services for a specific property shall place a sign approved by SLED in a conspicuous place near the entrance of the property visible to the public to read: 'Security Officers on duty have the authority and arrest power given to sheriff's deputies to arrest persons violating or charged with violating a criminal statute of this State within the property.'
(2) An employer who fails to place an appropriate sign on a property protected by a registered or licensed security guard as required by this subsection, upon conviction, must be fined not more than twenty-five dollars.
(3) Failure of an employer to place a sign on a property as required by this subsection shall not affect the authority of a security officer on the property to arrest a person for a violation of a criminal statute of this State."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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