Bill > S0057

This bill adds a new section to South Carolina law that establishes enhanced penalties for hate crimes and modifies existing statutes related to malicious property damage. Specifically, the bill creates a new Article 22 under Chapter 3, Title 16, defining hate crimes as offenses committed with the intent to assault, intimidate, or threaten a person based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. Such crimes will now be classified as felonies, carrying potential fines between $2,000 and $10,000 and prison sentences of 2 to 15 years, with mandatory minimum penalties that cannot be suspended. The bill also amends sections 16-11-510 and 16-11-520 to include similar hate crime provisions for malicious damage to personal and real property, respectively. These amendments ensure that if property damage is committed with the intent to target someone based on the protected characteristics mentioned, the offender will face more severe criminal penalties. The bill defines "sexual orientation" broadly to include actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, and gender identity or expression. The new law will take effect upon the Governor's approval, signaling South Carolina's intent to provide stronger legal protections against bias-motivated crimes.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=57&session=126&summary=B