The bill H. 3222 aims to amend Section 4-9-145 of the South Carolina Code of Laws concerning litter control officers. It revises the criteria for determining the maximum number of litter control officers that a county can appoint and commission. Specifically, the bill stipulates that the number of officers with custodial arrest authority must not exceed either the number of officers appointed as of July 1, 2001, or one officer for every twenty-five thousand residents in the county, based on the most recent census. Additionally, it ensures that each county can appoint at least one officer regardless of its population.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the powers of litter control officers, stating that they may exercise arrest authority only in relation to their primary duties of enforcing litter control laws and other related ordinances, provided they are certified as law enforcement officers. It also specifies that, without an arrest for litter violations, these officers cannot stop or arrest individuals for other offenses. The bill corrects an incorrect reference in the existing law and defines "litter control officer" as a code enforcement officer authorized to enforce relevant laws and ordinances. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 4-9-145
02/12/2025: 4-9-145
04/29/2025: 4-9-145
05/07/2025: 4-9-145
Latest Version: 4-9-145