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AS PASSED BY THE SENATE
June 5, 2002
H. 3668
S. Printed 6/05/02--S.
Read the first time May 14, 2001.
TO AMEND SECTION 30-4-40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MATTERS EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE FOR PURPOSES OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, SO AS TO EXEMPT ALL DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS OF AND INCIDENTAL TO AN AUTOPSY.
Amend Title To Conform
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 30-4-40(a) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 122 of 1999, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:
"( ) Photographs or videos of and incidental to the performance of an autopsy, except that the photographs or videos may be viewed by:
(i) a law enforcement agency, for official use only;
(ii) parents of the deceased, surviving spouse, guardian, personal representative, or next of kin;
(iii) a prosecutor or a defendant when the defendant in the case is accused of the murder or homicide of the subject of the photograph or video;
(iv) a person bringing or defending a civil action or administrative matter where the photo or video is considered by the judge or hearing officer, by written order, to be relevant to the action or matter; or
(v) a person who receives such photograph or video pursuant to a validly issued subpoena, after notice and opportunity to object are provided to the personal representative of the decedent's estate."
SECTION 2. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 17-5-535. (A) Photographs or videos of and incidental to the performance of an autopsy shall only be viewed by:
(1) the coroner and/or the medical examiner, and their deputies;
(2) a law enforcement agency, for official use only;
(3) parents of the deceased, surviving spouse, guardian, personal representative, or next of kin;
(4) a prosecutor or a defendant when the defendant in the case is accused of the murder or homicide of the subject of the photograph or video;
(5) a person bringing or defending a civil action or administrative matter where the photo or video is considered by the judge or hearing officer, by written order, to be relevant to the action or matter; and
(6) a person who receives such photograph or video pursuant to a validly issued subpoena, after notice and opportunity to object are provided to the personal representative of the decedent's estate."
These photographs and videos must be released and disseminated only as authorized by this section.
(B) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five thousand dollars nor more than fifty thousand dollars. Each violation under this section must be considered a separate offense."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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