Bill > H3391

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "aggravated involuntary manslaughter" in South Carolina, which specifically applies to individuals who cause another person's death while manufacturing, delivering, distributing, or selling controlled substances, counterfeit substances, or imitation controlled substances. Under this proposed law, a person convicted of this offense would face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of ten years, with no possibility of suspension or probation, and a maximum sentence of thirty years. The bill stipulates that this offense is separate from other potential charges and cannot be merged with them. Importantly, the law does not apply to legally authorized controlled substance transactions, and prosecutors would not need to prove that the defendant knew the specific chemical identity of the substance involved. The legislation aims to impose stricter penalties on individuals whose drug-related activities result in an unintended death, reflecting a legislative effort to deter dangerous drug distribution practices by establishing significant criminal consequences for fatal outcomes stemming from such activities.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3391&session=126&summary=B