A bill

TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-20 OF THE South Carolina CODE, RELATING TO STATUTORY AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES APPLICABLE TO THE PUNISHMENT FOR MURDER, TO ADD AS A STATUTORY AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE CASES IN WHICH A MURDER WAS COMMITTED AGAINST A PERSON BECAUSE OF THE PERSON'S ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY.

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

SECTION 1.Section 16-3-20(C)(a) of the S.C. Code is amended by adding an appropriately numbered new subitem to read:

( ) The murder was committed against a person because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

SECTION 2.This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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