Bill Text: SC S0275 | 2011-2012 | 119th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Automobile insurance
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-09 - Referred to Subcommittee: Knotts (ch), Massey, Coleman [S0275 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2011-S0275-Introduced.html
A BILL
TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-225 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, TO PROVIDE THAT A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY MAY IMPOUND THE VEHICLE OF A PERSON CONVICTED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECTION IF NO PROOF OF INSURANCE IS PROVIDED WITHIN TEN DAYS OF CONVICTION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT PROOF OF INSURANCE IS REQUIRED TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 56-10-225(C) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(C) A person who fails to maintain the proof of insurance in his motor vehicle as required by subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to the same punishment as provided by law for failure of the person driving or in control of a motor vehicle to carry the vehicle registration card and to display the registration card upon demand. However, a charge of failing to maintain proof that a motor vehicle is insured must be dismissed if the person provides proof to the court that the motor vehicle was insured on the date of the violation. Upon notice of conviction, the department shall suspend the owner's driver's license until satisfactory proof of insurance is provided. If no satisfactory proof of insurance has been provided to the department within ten business days of the notice of conviction, the department shall notify the law enforcement agency that charged the owner pursuant to this section. The law enforcement agency may impound the vehicle, and the vehicle shall be held at a facility designated by the law enforcement agency until proof of insurance is provided to the department. The owner of the vehicle shall be responsible for any fees incurred as a result of the towing and storage of the vehicle. A vehicle that is not retrieved within ninety days is an abandoned vehicle and shall be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of Section 56-5-5640. If at any time the department determines that the vehicle was without insurance coverage, the owner's registration and driving privileges will be suspended pursuant to Section 56-10-520."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
