Download This Version in Microsoft Word format

Bill 3075

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

AMENDED

May 19, 1999

H. 3075

S. Printed 5/19/99--H.

Read the first time January 12, 1999.

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 23-3-485 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE SHERIFF TO PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO ALL RESIDENCES WITHIN FOUR BLOCKS OF A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER OF THE OFFENDER'S ADDRESS AND CERTAIN OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE OFFENDER; AND TO AMEND SECTION 23-3-490, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO A SHERIFF DISSEMINATING SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY INFORMATION WHEN IT IS BELIEVED SUCH DISSEMINATION WILL DETER CRIME, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE FOUR-BLOCK RADIUS NOTIFICATION DOES NOT RESTRICT THE SHERIFF FROM BROADER DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION WHEN NECESSARY.

Amend Title To Conform

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

SECTION 1. Article 7, Chapter 3, Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 23-3-530. The State Law Enforcement Division shall develop and maintain a protocol manual to be used by contributing agencies in the administration of the sex offender registry."

SECTION 2. Section 23-3-490(A) and (C) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 384 of 1998, are further amended to read:

"(A) Information collected for the offender registry is open to public inspection, upon request to the county sheriff. A sheriff must release information regarding a specific person or persons required to register under this article to a member of the public if the request is made in writing, on a form prescribed by SLED, stating the name of the person requesting the information, and the name or address of the person or persons about whom the information is sought. The information must be disclosed only to the person making the request. The sheriff must provide the person making the request with the full names of the requested registered sex offenders, any aliases, any other identifying physical characteristics, each offender's date of birth, the home address on file, the offense for which the offender was required to register pursuant to Section 23-3-430, and the date, city, and state of conviction. A photocopy of a current photograph must also be provided. The sheriff must provide to a newspaper with general circulation within the county a listing of the registry for publication.

(C) Nothing in subsection (A) or in Section 23-3-485 prohibits a sheriff from disseminating information contained in that subsection (A) regarding a specific person persons who is are required to register under this article if the sheriff or another law enforcement officer has reason to believe the release of this information will deter criminal activity or enhance public safety."

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

This web page was last updated on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 2:57 P.M.