House Amendment 20
H 3014 - Session 125 (2023-2024)
Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act

Rep. Magnuson proposes the following amendment (LC-3014.AHB0021H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act".

SECTION 2. Chapter 3, Title 16 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

Article 22

Penalty Enhancements for Certain Crimes

Section 16-3-2410. (A) When a person commits a violent crime as defined in Section 16 1 60 or commits assault by mob in the second degree as defined in Section 16 3 210(C) and the trier of fact determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the offense was committed against a victim who was intentionally selected because of the person's belief or perception regarding the victim's race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, political opinion, or the exercise of a person's political rights and privileges, whether or not the perception is correct, the person is subject to additional penalties as provided in subsection (B).

(B)A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) and commits a violent crime as defined in Section 16 1 60 or commits assault by mob in the second degree as defined in Section 16 3 210(C), upon conviction, is subject to an additional fine of not more than ten thousand dollars and an additional term of imprisonment of up to five years.

(C)The provisions of this section provide for the enhancement of the penalties applicable to underlying offenses. When the State seeks enhanced penalties provided for by this section, the court shall conduct a separate proceeding after a conviction for the underlying offense. The court shall permit the prosecuting agency and the defense to present evidence relevant to the determination of whether the defendant intentionally selected the person against whom the offense is committed because of the person's belief or perception regarding one or more of the factors provided in subsection (A), whether or not the perception is correct. The court with competent jurisdiction over the underlying offense shall instruct the trier of fact to find a verdict beyond a reasonable doubt as to a violation of the provisions of this section.

(D)The additional penalties described in subsection (B) may not be imposed unless the person was indicted, either separately or as a separate count in the indictment, for the underlying offense and for the offense pursuant to this section committed against the victim who was intentionally selected because of the person's belief or perception regarding one or more of the factors provided in subsection (A), whether or not the perception is correct, and the person was found guilty of the underlying offense.

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