TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 14-1-175 SO AS TO PROHIBIT COURTS OF THE UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM FROM REQUIRING A CITIZEN TO SERVE ON A JURY ON THE DATE OF A PRIMARY OR GENERAL ELECTION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 1, Title 14 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 14-1-175.    (A)    A court which is part of the unified judicial system may not require a citizen of this State who has been properly called and selected for jury service to serve on a jury on the date of a:

(1)    primary election set on the second Tuesday in June of each general election year; or

(2)    general election as defined in Section 7-13-10.

(B)    South Carolina Court Administration shall notify all courts of the unified judicial system of the prohibition on jury service provided by the provisions of this section."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.