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TO AMEND SECTION 17-5-50, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FILLING OF VACANCIES IN THE OFFICE OF THE CORONER, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE VACANCIES SHALL BE FILLED AND FOR THE PERSON WHO SHALL ACT IN THE CORONER'S PLACE IF A VACANCY OR SUSPENSION IN THE OFFICE EXISTS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 17-5-50 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 52 of 2007, is further amended to read:
"Section 17-5-50. (A) In the event of a vacancy in the office of coroner occurring one year or less before the next general election for coroners, the Governor shall fill the office by appointment as provided in Section 4-11-20. The chief magistrate of the county or his designee shall serve as coroner until such time as the Governor appoints a qualified replacement, and he takes office.
(B) If a vacancy occurs in the office of county coroner more than one year before the next general election for coroners, the Governor shall appoint a suitable person as provided in subsection (A) until a special election is held to elect a coroner to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(C) If a county coroner is suspended by the Governor upon the coroner's indictment or for other reasons, the chief magistrate of that county shall act as coroner until the suspended coroner is reinstated or until a coroner is elected and qualifies in the next general election for coroners, whichever occurs first.
(D) The chief deputy or second in command of the coroner's office shall act as coroner until the vacancy is filled, except when a suspension occurs in which case the provisions of subsection (C) apply. While acting as coroner, the chief deputy or second in command is subject to the duties and liabilities incident to the office of coroner and shall receive the same salary as the former coroner at the time of the vacancy or suspension."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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