Bill > H3230

This bill amends South Carolina law to expand the authority of counties and municipalities to preserve and protect cemeteries within their jurisdictions. The legislation allows local governments to adopt ordinances requiring cemetery owners and operators to actively maintain their properties, keeping them free of rubbish, debris, and unhealthy conditions that could constitute a public nuisance. The bill clarifies that such ordinances cannot be solely for aesthetic purposes but must serve practical maintenance goals. Local officials can now notify cemetery owners about necessary corrections, and if owners fail to address issues, the county or municipality can enter the property to make repairs. The costs of such maintenance can then be placed as a lien on the cemetery property and collected as a municipal tax. The bill broadly defines "maintain, preserve, and protect" to include measures like installing signs, markers, or fencing to help identify and safeguard abandoned or neglected cemeteries. The legislation takes effect immediately upon the Governor's approval, providing local governments with new tools to ensure the dignified preservation of cemetery grounds.

Health and Social Services

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3230&session=126&summary=B