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COMMITTEE REPORT
April 20, 1999
S. 85
S. Printed 4/20/99--S.
Read the first time January 12, 1999.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 85), to amend Section 24-3-550, as amended, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to witnesses permitted to view an execution, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 1 and inserting:
/SECTION 1. Section 24-3-550 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 24 of 1997, is further amended to read:
"Section 24-3-550. (A) To carry out an execution properly, the executioner and necessary staff must be present at the execution. In addition, the following persons may be present:
(1) three representatives, approved by the director, of the family of a victim of the crime for which a death penalty was imposed, provided, that if there is more than one victim, the director may reduce the number of family representatives to one representative for each victim's family; provided, further, that if there are more than two victims, the director may restrict the total number of victims' representatives present in accordance with the space limitations of the Capital Punishment Facility;
(2) the solicitor, or an assistant solicitor designated by the solicitor, for the county where the offense occurred;
(3) a group of not more than three representatives of the South Carolina media, one of whom must represent the dominant wire service, one of whom must represent the print media, and one of whom must represent the electronic news media; and
(4) the chief law enforcement officer, or an officer designated by the chief, from the law enforcement agency that had original jurisdiction in the case.; and
(B)(5) the counsel for the convict and a minister of the gospel may be present., but the convict may substitute one person for either his counsel or a minister of the gospel, or two persons for both his counsel and a minister of the gospel.
(B) Other than those persons specified in subsection (A), no other person is authorized to witness an execution.
(C) The department shall promulgate regulations to govern the selection of media representatives.
(D) Witnesses authorized or approved pursuant to this section shall not possess telephonic equipment, cameras, or recording devices in the Capital Punishment Facility during an execution.
(E) For security purposes, the director may exclude any person who is authorized or approved pursuant to this section from the Capital Punishment Facility."/
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
DAVID L. THOMAS, for Committee.
TO AMEND SECTION 24-3-550, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO WITNESSES PERMITTED TO VIEW AN EXECUTION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A CONVICT MAY SUBSTITUTE ONE PERSON FOR EITHER HIS COUNSEL OR A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, OR TWO PERSONS FOR BOTH HIS COUNSEL AND A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 24-3-550(B) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 124 of 1997, is further amended to read:
"(B) The counsel for the convict and a minister of the gospel may be present. However, the convict may substitute one person for either his counsel or a minister of the gospel, or two persons for both his counsel and a minister of the gospel."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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