COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED

March 21, 2013

S. 296

Introduced by Senators Jackson, McElveen, Coleman, Ford, Campbell, Young, Allen, Pinckney, Cleary, Williams, Cromer, Nicholson, Johnson, Fair, McGill, Bright, Verdin, Gregory, Setzler, Shealy, Matthews, Turner, Thurmond, Peeler, Lourie, Leatherman and Scott

S. Printed 3/21/13--S.

Read the first time January 24, 2013.

TO AMEND SECTION 16-11-535 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO MALICIOUS INJURY TO A PLACE OF WORSHIP, TO PROVIDE THAT WHOEVER WILFULLY, UNLAWFULLY, AND MALICIOUSLY VANDALIZES, DEFACES, DAMAGES, OR DESTROYS OR ATTEMPTS TO VANDALIZE, DEFACE, DAMAGE, OR DESTROY ANY FIXTURES OR IMPROVEMENTS OF A PLACE OF WORSHIP, OR AIDS, AGREES WITH, EMPLOYS, OR CONSPIRES WITH ANY PERSON TO DO OR CAUSE TO BE DONE ANY OF THESE ACTS IS GUILTY OF A FELONY AND, UPON CONVICTION, MUST BE IMPRISONED NOT LESS THAN SIX MONTHS NOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS OR FINED NOT MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS, OR BOTH.

Amend Title To Conform

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

SECTION    1.    Section 16-11-535 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 16-11-535.    Whoever shall wilfully, unlawfully, and maliciously vandalize, deface, damage, or destroy or attempt to vandalize, deface, damage, or destroy any place, structure, or building of worship, including any fixtures or improvements, or aid, agree with, employ, or conspire with any person to do or cause to be done any of the acts mentioned above is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than six months nor more than ten years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both."

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