Bill > H3548

This bill amends South Carolina's assault and battery laws to expand the definition of "assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature" by adding a new provision that makes it a felony when a person intentionally injures another victim based on specific personal characteristics. These characteristics include race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or homelessness. The bill specifies that the offense applies whether or not the perpetrator's perception of the victim's characteristics is accurate, and requires that a court determine beyond a reasonable doubt that the victim was intentionally selected based on these characteristics. If convicted, the offender can be imprisoned for up to twenty years, and the offense is considered a lesser-included offense of attempted murder. The bill will take effect upon the Governor's approval and does not alter any pending legal actions or rights that existed prior to its implementation.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3548&session=126&summary=B