Journal of the House of Representatives
of the First Session of the 111th General Assembly
of the State of South Carolina
being the Regular Session Beginning Tuesday, January 10, 1995

Page Finder Index

| Printed Page 4430, May 31 | Printed Page 4450, May 31 |

Printed Page 4440 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

(C) The court shall consider the following factors which may be possible reasons for deviation from the guidelines or may be used in determining whether a change in circumstances has occurred which would require a modification of an existing order:

(1) educational expenses for the child or children or the spouse, to include those incurred for private, parochial, or trade schools, other secondary schools, or post-secondary education where there is tuition or related costs;

(2) equitable distribution of property;

(3) consumer debts;
(4) families with more than six children;

(5) unreimbursed extraordinary medical or dental expenses for the noncustodial or custodial parent;

(6) mandatory deduction of retirement pensions and union fees;

(7) support obligations for other dependents living with the noncustodial parent or non-court ordered child support from another relationship;

(8) child-related unreimbursed extraordinary medical expenses;

(9) monthly fixed payments imposed by a court or operation of law;

(10) significant available income of the child or children;

(11) substantial disparity of income in which the noncustodial parent's income is significantly less than the custodial parent's income, thus making it financially impracticable to pay what the guidelines indicate the noncustodial parent should pay;

(12) alimony. Because of their unique nature, lumpsum, rehabilitative, reimbursement, or any other alimony that the court may award, may be considered by the court as a possible reason for deviation from these guidelines;
(13) agreements reached between parties. The court may deviate from the guidelines based on an agreement between the parties if both parties are represented by counsel or if, upon a thorough examination of any party not represented by counsel, the court determines the party fully understands the agreement as to child support. The court still has the discretion and the independent duty to determine if the amount is reasonable and in the best interest of the child or children.

(C) (D) Pursuant to Section 43-5-580(b), the department shall promulgate regulations which include addressing establish child support guidelines as a rebuttable presumption. The department shall review these regulations at least once every four years to insure ensure that their application results in appropriate child support award amounts."


Printed Page 4441 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

SECTION 11. Section 20-7-1315 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 510 of 1994, is further amended by adding at the end:

"(L) By January 1, 1996, the Child Support Enforcement Division of the Department of Social Services shall create and develop an Employer New Hire Reporting program. The Employer New Hire Reporting program shall provide a means for employers to voluntarily assist in the state's efforts to locate absent parents who owe child support and collect child support from those parents by reporting information concerning newly hired and rehired employees directly to the division. The following provisions apply to the Employer New Hire Reporting program:

(1) An employer doing business in this State may participate in the Employer New Hire Reporting program by reporting to the Child Support Enforcement Division:

(a) the hiring of a person who resides or works in this State to whom the employer anticipates paying earnings; or

(b) the rehiring or return to work of an employee who was laid off, furloughed, separated, granted leave without pay, or terminated from employment.

(2) The Employer New Hire Reporting program applies to a person who is expected to:

(a) be employed for more than one month's duration;

(b) be paid for more than three hundred fifty hours during a continuous six-month period; or

(c) have gross earnings of more than three hundred dollars in each month of employment.

(3) An employer who voluntarily reports under item (1) shall submit monthly reports regarding each hiring, rehiring, or return to work of an employee during the preceding month. The report must contain:

(a) the employee's name, address, social security number, date of birth, and salary information; and

(b) the employer's name, address, and employer identification number.

(4) Employers reporting to the Employer New Hire Reporting program shall provide information to the Child Support Enforcement Division by:

(a) sending a copy of the new employee's W-4 form;

(b) completing a form supplied by the Child Support Enforcement Division; or

(c) any other means authorized by the Child Support Enforcement Division for conveying the required information, including electronic transmission or magnetic tapes in compatible formats.


Printed Page 4442 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

(5) An employer is authorized by this section to disclose the information described in item (3) and is not liable to the employee for the disclosure or subsequent use by the Child Support Enforcement Division of the information.

(6) For each employee reported under the Employer New Hire Reporting program, the Child Support Enforcement Division shall retain the information only if the division is responsible for establishing, enforcing, or collecting a support obligation of the employee. If the division is not responsible for establishing, enforcing, or collecting a support obligation of the employee, the division must not create a record regarding the employee and the information provided by the employer must be destroyed promptly.

Information received by the South Carolina Employment Security Commission received from employers which includes information contained in the reports provided for in this section shall transmit this information to the Department of Social Services within fifteen working days after the end of each quarter."

Part VII

Administrative Reforms

SECTION 1. The Department of Social Services, with existing resources and personnel, shall develop simplified AFDC, Medicaid, and food stamp application forms and instructions which are understandable. If necessary, for compliance with federal regulations, the department shall apply to the federal government for waivers.

SECTION 2. The Department of Social Services and the Department of Health and Human Services Finance Commission shall review and, to the extent possible, ensure that federal and state procurement and purchasing regulations do not unnecessarily delay services to AFDC clients and child care and transportation providers to AFDC clients.

SECTION 3. As applicable, all state agencies shall adopt Electronic Data Interchange Standards as set forth by the Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics Information Resource Planning and Management so that exchanges and sharing of information concerning AFDC clients and revenue sources are freely available. However, in the exchange and sharing of information all requirements for confidentiality of information must be maintained. For the next two years these state agencies shall report to the Budget and Control Board, Division of Information Resource Technology before January first on the agency's progress and compliance with this section and its utilization of the system created as a result of this action.


Printed Page 4443 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

SECTION 4. The Department of Social Services in conjunction with the Department of Education shall:

(1) ensure that existing continuing education and adult education programs are designed to advance AFDC clients in attaining self-sufficiency and that the location, scheduling, and other mechanics of these programs are structured so as to maximize access by AFDC clients;

(2) endorse and promote school-to-work transition programs to link at-risk secondary school students to the workplace and to appropriate work related post-secondary education.

SECTION 5. (A) The Department of Social Services in conjunction with the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education shall:

(1) work closely with businesses and industries in South Carolina to design curriculums to produce students with skills needed by these businesses and industries;

(2) develop specially designed curriculums that target and train AFDC clients in keeping with the clients' identified aptitudes, interests, and abilities for occupations identified by the Employment Security Commission as the top growth occupations of the future.

(B) For the next three years the Department of Social Services and the State Board for Technical Education shall report before January first to the Governor and the General Assembly on the projects completed under this section, the number of AFDC families served, and shall evaluate their effectiveness in assisting AFDC families in becoming self-sufficient.

SECTION 6. Section 43-3-40 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 181 of 1993, is further amended to read:

"Section 43-3-40. (A) The director shall select a director for each county department, referred to in Chapters 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 19, and 23 as the county director, to discharge the duties of such office and may select regional directors to oversee the county directors. The salaries of county directors and any regional directors shall be fixed by the director. In fixing the these salaries of the various county directors the director shall consider the individual qualifications of the respective directors and the possibilities of their individual positions. The county director shall be the chief executive officer of the county department and shall perform such duties as are directed by the director, regional director, or as directed by law.

(B) Regional and county directors serve at the pleasure of the Director of the State Department of Social Services."

Part VIII

Department to Apply for Waivers


Printed Page 4444 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

SECTION 1. The State Department of Social Services shall apply for waivers to implement the following provisions in this act:

(1) Part III, Sections 6, 11, 12, and 13;

(2) Part IV, Sections 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6;

(3) Part V, Sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8;

(4) Part VI, Section 4.

Part IX

Evaluation and Reports

SECTION 1. On or about August 31, 1996, and every two years thereafter the Legislative Audit Council shall evaluate and report to the General Assembly on the success and effectiveness of the policies and programs created in this act. In conducting this evaluation the council shall identify the number of AFDC families and individuals no longer receiving welfare, the number of individuals who have completed educational, employment, or training programs under this act, the number of individuals who have become employed and the duration of their employment, and other data and information the council considers appropriate in reporting to the General Assembly on the effectiveness of this act.

Part X

Severability, Designation of Code Sections,
and Time Effective

SECTION 1. If any provision of this act or the application of a provision of this act to a person or circumstance is held invalid, that invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this act which can be given effect without the invalid provision of application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable.

SECTION 2. Sections 20-70-840 through 20-7-938 of the 1976 Code are designated as Part I, Subarticle 3, Article 9, Chapter 7, Title 20 and named "Child Support Proceedings and Enforcement".

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding the definition of "compliance with an order for support", as contained in Section 20-7-941 of the 1976 Code, as added by Part VI, Section 2 of this act:

(1) From January 1, 1996, to June 30, 1996, "compliance with an order for support" means that pursuant to an order for support the person required to pay under the order is in arrears no more than an amount equal to six months' support obligation.

(2) From July 1, 1996, to December 31, 1996, "compliance with an order for support" means that pursuant to an order for support the person required to pay under the order is in arrears no more than an amount equal to four months' support obligation.


Printed Page 4445 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor except that Part III, Sections 6, 11, 12, and 13; Part IV, Sections 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6; Part V, Sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8; and Part VI, Section 4 take effect ninety days after receipt of approval of a federal waiver authorizing the department to implement these provisions or ninety days after federal law permits implementation. Part VI, Section 5 takes effect January 1, 1996./

Renumber to conform.

Amend title to conform.

/s/Addison "Joe" Wilson/s/Thomas E. Huff
/s/David L. Thomas /s/James L.M. Cromer, Jr.
/s/McKinley Washington /s/William F. Cotty

On Part of the Senate.On Part of the House.

Rep. HUFF explained the report.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. SHEHEEN raised the Point of Order that the Conference Report was out of order in compliance with Rule 5.15 in that it had not been printed.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

RULE 5.14 WAIVED

Rep. HUFF moved to waive Rule 5.14.

Rep. HUFF demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 96; Nays 6

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allison          Askins           Breeland
Brown, G.        Brown, H.        Brown, J.
Byrd             Cain             Carnell
Cato             Cave             Chamblee
Clyburn          Cobb-Hunter      Cooper
Cotty            Cromer           Dantzler
Davenport        Delleney         Easterday
Elliott          Fair             Felder
Fleming          Fulmer           Gamble
Hallman          Harrell          Harris, J.


Printed Page 4446 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

Harris, P.       Harrison         Haskins
Herdklotz        Hines            Howard
Huff             Hutson           Jaskwhich
Jennings         Keegan           Kennedy
Keyserling       Kinon            Kirsh
Klauber          Knotts           Koon
Lanford          Law              Limehouse
Littlejohn       Lloyd            Marchbanks
Mason            McAbee           McCraw
Meacham          Neal             Phillips
Rhoad            Rice             Richardson
Riser            Robinson         Sandifer
Scott            Seithel          Sharpe
Shissias         Simrill          Smith, R.
Spearman         Stoddard         Stuart
Thomas           Townsend         Tripp
Trotter          Vaughn           Waldrop
Walker           Wells            Whatley
Whipper, L.      Whipper, S.      White
Wilder           Wilkes           Wilkins
Witherspoon      Wofford          Worley
Wright           Young, A.        Young, J.

Total--96

Those who voted in the negative are:

Baxley           Hodges           McTeer
Moody-Lawrence   Rogers           Sheheen

Total--6

So, Rule 5.14 was waived.

Rep. HUFF explained the Conference Report.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER granted Rep. McTEER a leave of absence for the remainder of the day.

Rep. HUFF continued speaking.


Printed Page 4447 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

The Conference Report was adopted and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.

MOTION TABLED

Debate was resumed on the motion to table the motion that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole.

Rep. CROMER demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 70; Nays 46

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allison          Askins           Boan
Brown, H.        Brown, J.        Cain
Carnell          Cato             Cave
Chamblee         Clyburn          Cooper
Dantzler         Davenport        Easterday
Elliott          Fair             Fleming
Fulmer           Gamble           Harrell
Harris, P.       Harrison         Haskins
Herdklotz        Huff             Hutson
Jaskwhich        Jennings         Keegan
Kinon            Klauber          Koon
Lanford          Limehouse        Littlejohn
Marchbanks       Mason            McAbee
McCraw           McKay            Meacham
Phillips         Rhoad            Rice
Riser            Robinson         Sandifer
Sharpe           Simrill          Smith, D.
Smith, R.        Stille           Stoddard
Stuart           Townsend         Tripp
Trotter          Tucker           Vaughn
Waldrop          Walker           Wells
Whatley          Wilkins          Witherspoon
Wofford          Wright           Young, A.
Young, J.

Total--70



Printed Page 4448 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

Those who voted in the negative are:
Anderson         Baxley           Beatty
Breeland         Brown, G.        Brown, T.
Byrd             Canty            Cobb-Hunter
Cotty            Cromer           Delleney
Govan            Hallman          Harris, J.
Hines            Hodges           Howard
Inabinett        Kelley           Kennedy
Keyserling       Kirsh            Knotts
Law              Lloyd            McElveen
McMahand         Moody-Lawrence   Neal
Neilson          Quinn            Richardson
Rogers           Scott            Seithel
Sheheen          Shissias         Spearman
Thomas           Whipper, L.      Whipper, S.
Wilder           Wilkes           Williams
Worley

Total--46

So, the motion that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole was tabled.

RECURRENCE TO THE MORNING HOUR

Rep. TOWNSEND moved that the House recur to the morning hour, which was agreed to.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

The following was received.
Columbia, S.C., May 31, 1995
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that the Report of the Committee of Free Conference having been adopted by both Houses ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and the Act enrolled for Ratification:
S. 602 -- Senators Short, Jackson, Gregory and Giese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 34-29-100, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO RECORDS AND REPORTS OF RESTRICTED LENDERS, BY ADDING INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE REPORTED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT MADE BY RESTRICTED LENDERS; TO AMEND SECTION 34-29-140 OF


Printed Page 4449 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CHARGES PERMITTED TO RESTRICTED LENDERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE FINANCE CHARGES AND TO PROVIDE LIMITATIONS ON LOAN RENEWALS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-1-301 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION CODE, SO AS TO ADD A DEFINITION FOR "DEBT COLLECTOR"; TO AMEND SECTION 37-1-303 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE INDEX OF DEFINITIONS IN TITLE 37, SO AS TO ADD "DEBT COLLECTOR"; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-201 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO LOAN FINANCE CHARGES FOR SUPERVISED LOANS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SUPERVISED LOANS NOT EXCEEDING SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS SHALL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 34-29-140 RELATING TO FINANCE CHARGES FOR RESTRICTED LOANS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-305 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE POSTING AND FILING OF MAXIMUM RATE SCHEDULES BY SUPERVISED LENDERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT FOR LOANS NOT EXCEEDING SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS, A RATE MAY NOT BE POSTED WHICH EXCEEDS THE CHARGES IMPOSED IN SECTION 34-29-140; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-505 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO RECORDS AND ANNUAL REPORTS FOR SUPERVISED LENDERS, SO AS TO ADD INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT OF SUPERVISED LENDERS; TO AMEND PART 5, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 37 OF THE 1976 CODE, BY ADDING SECTION 37-3-515 SO AS TO PROVIDE A LIMITATION ON LOAN RENEWALS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-5-108 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO UNCONSCIONABILITY UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION CODE, BY ADDING PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH CONSTITUTE UNCONSCIONABILITY AND PROVIDING REMEDIES; TO AMEND SECTION 37-6-117 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE ADMINISTRATION TO DEVISE A PAMPHLET FOR DISTRIBUTION TO CERTAIN CONSUMERS INFORMING THEM OF THEIR RIGHTS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-102 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE LICENSURE ELECTION, SO AS
Printed Page 4450 . . . . . Wednesday, May 31, 1995

TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN SUPERVISED LENDERS MAY ELECT TO BE RESTRICTED LENDERS.
Very respectfully,
President


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