TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-760 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY SERVICE INTEGRITY AND PRESERVATION ACT", TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO, WITH THE INTENT OF SECURING A TANGIBLE BENEFIT, KNOWINGLY AND FALSELY REPRESENTS HIMSELF TO HAVE SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OR TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED A DECORATION, MEDAL, RIBBON, OR OTHER DEVICE AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS OR PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW FOR THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES, IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR.

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

SECTION    1.    Article 7, Chapter 17, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 16-17-760.    (A)    This section may be cited as the 'South Carolina Military Service Integrity and Preservation Act'.

(B)    A person who, with the intent of securing a tangible benefit, knowingly and falsely represents himself through a written or oral communication, including a resume, to have served in the Armed Forces of the United States or to have been awarded a decoration, medal, ribbon, or other device authorized by Congress or pursuant to federal law for the Armed Forces of the United States is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, may be fined up to five hundred dollars or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both.

(C)    For purposes of this section, 'tangible benefit' includes:

(1)    a benefit relating to military service provided by the federal government or a state or local government;

(2)    employment or personal advancement;

(3)    financial remuneration; or

(4)    an effect on the outcome of a criminal or civil court proceeding."

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