A bill

TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS, RELATING TO THE COURTS, BY ADDING CHAPTER 32, TO CREATE THE JUDICIAL CRIMINAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE AND TO ESTABLISH ITS MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDING THE STUDY OF AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF JUDICIAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND REPORTING.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.Title 14 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

CHAPTER 32

Judicial Criminal Information Technology Committee

Section 14-32-10.There is hereby established the Judicial Criminal Information Technology Committee, which must exercise the powers and fulfill the duties described in this chapter.

Section 14-32-20.(A)The committee is composed of the following:

(1)a member of the Senate, appointed by the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee;

(2)a member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Chair of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee;

(3)the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who shall serve ex officio;

(4)one member who is a judge of the State, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court;

(5)one member who is a clerk of court, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court;

(6)one member who is a circuit solicitor, appointed by the Attorney General;

(7)one member who is a circuit public defender, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; and

(8)one member who is a sheriff or municipal chief of police, appointed by the Governor.

(B)Committee members shall serve terms of three years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Members of the committee may be reappointed.

(C)The committee must meet as soon as practicable after appointment and organize itself by electing one of its members as chair and such other officers as the committee may consider necessary. Thereafter, the committee must meet at least annually and at the call of the chair or by a majority of the members. A quorum consists of five members.

Section 14-32-30.The committee has the following powers and duties:

(1)to review the current state of law enforcement information technology and reporting, including, but not limited to, the timeframe and accuracy of the filing of reports, fingerprints and related offender information, and evidence discovery to prosecutors, courts, or the State Law Enforcement Division criminal information database;

(2)to review the current state of judicial information technology, including, but not limited to, the technology and funding needs of state and local court systems, the technology and funding needs of state and local law enforcement agencies, and the current efficiency, timeliness, and accuracy of filings;

(3)to recommend the implementation of an accurate and secure centralized court reporting system for all courts in the State and to explore funding options and recommend legislation, rules, or regulations to enhance the overall efficiency of the judicial system and criminal reporting by law enforcement; and

(4)to recommend, to the Supreme Court, changes to the court rules to effectuate the adoption of a centralized court reporting system and the implementation of, and full compliance with, reporting deadlines.

Section 14-32-40.(A)Committee members are entitled to such mileage, subsistence, and per diem as authorized by law for members of boards, committees, and commissions.

(B)The committee is encouraged to apply for and may expend any grants, gifts, or federal funds it receives from other sources to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

SECTION 2.An initial report pursuant to Section 14-32-30(3), as added by this act, shall be given to the Chairmen of the House of Representatives and the Senate Judiciary Committees no later than December 15, 2023, detailing the current status of agency needs, funding requirements, recommendations, and findings of the Judicial Criminal Information Technology Committee.

SECTION 3.This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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