Bill > H3052

This bill amends South Carolina law by creating enhanced criminal penalties for assault and battery offenses committed against educational professionals or law enforcement officers while they are performing their official duties. Specifically, if a person is convicted of an assault and battery offense (as defined in Section 16-3-600) against an educational professional or law enforcement officer during the performance of their official duties, they can receive an additional five-year prison sentence on top of the punishment for the original crime. The bill stipulates that this additional sentence can be served consecutively or concurrently at the court's discretion, and critically, this enhanced penalty cannot be suspended or result in probation. To apply these enhanced penalties, the indictment must specifically allege the offense was committed against a professional in their official capacity, and the defendant must be simultaneously convicted of the underlying assault and battery crime. For the purposes of this law, an "educational professional" is defined as a licensed teacher, principal, administrator, or other educational provider working on school grounds. The bill will take effect upon the Governor's approval, providing increased legal protection for educators and law enforcement officers performing their professional responsibilities.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3052&session=126&summary=B