Bill 3341

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               3341
Ratification Number:       240
Act Number                 159
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Notification by registered or certified
                           mail

(A159, R240, H3341)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5630, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE NOTICE REQUIRED TO BE GIVEN TO OWNERS AND LIENHOLDERS BY A SHERIFF OR CHIEF OF POLICE WHEN AN ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE NOTICE TO BE SENT BY CERTIFIED MAIL OR BY REGISTERED MAIL.

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

Notification by registered or certified mail

SECTION 1. Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 56-5-5630 of the 1976 Code are amended to read:

"(a) When an abandoned motor vehicle has been taken into custody, the sheriff or chief of police shall notify within fifteen days, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, the last known registered owner of the vehicle and all lienholders of record that the vehicle has been taken into custody. The notice must describe the year, make, model, and serial number of the vehicle; set forth where the motor vehicle is being held, inform the owner and any lienholders of the right to reclaim the motor vehicle within three weeks after the date of the notice, upon payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and state that the failure of the owner or lienholders to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided is deemed a waiver by the owner and all lienholders of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle and consent to the sale of the vehicle at a public auction.

(b) If the identity of the last registered owner cannot be determined, or if the registration contains no address for the owner, or if it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identity and addresses of all lienholders, notice by one publication in one newspaper of general circulation in the area where the motor vehicle was abandoned is sufficient to meet all requirements of notice pursuant to this article. The notice by publication may contain multiple listings of abandoned vehicles. This notice must be within the time requirements prescribed for notice by registered or certified mail and must have the same contents required for a notice by registered mail."

Time effective

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