The bill H. 3032 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by revising Section 16-17-530, which pertains to public disorderly conduct. The amendment expands the definition of disorderly conduct to explicitly include actions that disrupt or disturb religious services or funerals. It introduces graduated penalties for violations, categorizing them as misdemeanors or felonies based on the number of offenses. Additionally, the bill repeals Sections 16-17-520 and 16-17-525, which previously addressed disturbing religious services and funerals, respectively.

Under the new provisions, individuals found guilty of disorderly conduct related to religious services or funerals may face fines ranging from $1,000 for a first offense to $5,000 for third or subsequent offenses, with potential imprisonment terms increasing accordingly. The bill also outlines specific behaviors that constitute disorderly conduct during funerals, such as using threatening language or blocking access to ceremonial sites. Furthermore, it establishes a process for first-time offenders to potentially have their charges dismissed upon completion of probation and treatment programs, while also instituting a fee structure for court proceedings related to these offenses.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 16-17-530
Latest Version: 16-17-530
12/06/2024: 16-17-530