Bill > S0398

This bill amends South Carolina's existing law regarding magistrate appointment requirements by creating an exception for counties with fewer than 50,000 residents. Specifically, the bill allows individuals with four years of full-time law enforcement or military experience to be eligible for a magistrate position in these smaller counties, even if they do not hold a four-year baccalaureate degree. Currently, the law requires magistrate candidates to have progressively higher educational credentials, having moved from a high school diploma to an associate degree, and then to a four-year bachelor's degree by July 1, 2025. The new provision, which takes effect upon the Governor's approval, provides flexibility in educational requirements for smaller, potentially more rural counties by recognizing professional experience in law enforcement and military service as an equivalent qualification for the magistrate role. This change aims to broaden the pool of potential magistrate candidates in less populous counties while maintaining other existing requirements such as U.S. and state citizenship, five-year state residency, and being at least 21 years old.

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https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0398&session=126&summary=B