Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Committee Report

March 26, 2025

H. 3524

Introduced by Reps. J. E. Johnson and Spann-Wilder

S. Printed 3/26/25--H.

Read the first time January 14, 2025

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The committee on House Judiciary

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3524) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 16-3-1410, relating to the Department of Crime Victim Services Training, Provider Certification, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

W. NEWTON for Committee.

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill removes the exemption certain crime victim service providers from basic certification requirements and adds mental health clinicians who are licensed in South Carolina to the list of entities that are not considered victim service providers.

The Department of Crime Victim Service Training, Provider Certification, and Statistical Analysis, within the Office of the Attorney General, provides certification for victim service providers.  The Office of Attorney General reports this bill will have no expenditure impact because the agency will administer the responsibilities resulting from the bill with existing staff and resources.

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

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A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-3-1410, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIME VICTIM SERVICES TRAINING, PROVIDER CERTIFICATION, AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, SO AS TO DELETE A PROVISION EXEMPTING CERTAIN CRIME VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM BASIC CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-3-1420, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF the ARTICLE ON CRIME VICTIM SERVICES TRAINING, PROVIDER CERTIFICATION, AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDER" TO EXCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS LICENSED IN THIS STATE.

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

SECTION 1.  Section 16-3-1410(C)(2) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

       (2) Crime victim service providers, serving in public or private nonprofit programs and employed on the effective date of this article, are exempt from basic certification requirements but must meet annual continuing education requirements to maintain certification. Crime victim service providers, serving in public or private nonprofit programs and employed after the effective date of this article, are required to complete the basic certification requirements within one year from the date of employment and to meet annual continuing education requirements to maintain certification throughout their employment.

SECTION 2.  Section 16-3-1420(1) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (1) "Victim service provider" means a person:

       (a) who is employed by a local government or state agency and whose job duties involve providing victim assistance as mandated by South Carolina law; or

       (b) whose job duties involve providing direct services to victims and who is employed by an organization that is incorporated in South Carolina, holds a certificate of authority in South Carolina, or is registered as a charitable organization in South Carolina, and the organization's mission is victim assistance or advocacy and the organization is privately funded or receives funds from federal, state, or local governments to provide services to victims.

    "Victim service provider" does not include a mental health clinician licensed in South Carolina, municipal court judge, magistrates court judge, circuit court judge, special circuit court judge, or family court judge.

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

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