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 specifically includes provisions for disrupting or disturbing a religious service or funeral as part of the disorderly conduct statute. It introduces graduated penalties for violations, categorizing offenses based on the number of prior violations, with fines and imprisonment terms increasing for subsequent offenses. Additionally, the bill repeals Sections 16-17-520 and 16-17-525, which previously addressed disturbing religious services and funerals, respectively.

The revised statute defines "disorderly conduct" to encompass a range of disruptive behaviors, including those that interfere with religious services and funerals. It outlines specific actions that constitute violations, such as using threatening language or blocking access to ceremonial sites. The bill also establishes a process for first-time offenders to potentially avoid a conviction through probation and participation in treatment programs, while ensuring that any records related to the offense can be expunged upon successful completion of the terms set by the court. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

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