A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-15-30, RELATING TO BOND AND MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING CONDITIONS OF RELEASE, SO AS TO REQUIRE A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE TO SET OR DENY BOND AND DETERMINE CONDITIONS OF RELEASE OF PERSONS CHARGED WITH CRIMES THAT CARRY MAXIMUM SENTENCES OF THREE YEARS OR MORE AND WHO ARE SUSPECTED OF BEING ILLEGAL ALIENS.

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

SECTION 1.  Section 17-15-30(D) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (D) A circuit court judge must set or deny bond and determine conditions of release, pursuant to the provisions of this section, for a person charged with a crime that carries a maximum sentence of three years or more and who is suspected to be an alien unlawfully present in the United States.

    (D)(E) A court hearing these matters has contempt powers to enforce the provisions of this section.

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

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