The bill H. 3519 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding two new sections related to the handling of subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants for electronic data. Section 17-13-180 mandates that South Carolina businesses must treat subpoenas, court orders, or warrants issued by other states as if they were issued by a South Carolina court. This applies to various types of businesses, including those organized under South Carolina law and foreign businesses that store electronic data within the state or conduct business there.

Additionally, Section 17-13-190 outlines the process for issuing, executing, and returning search warrants for electronic data. It allows circuit court judges to issue search warrants for data stored by businesses regardless of the data's location, provided the business operates in South Carolina. The section specifies the requirements for issuing warrants, including the need for an affidavit and the timeline for execution. It also establishes that records seized under these warrants are admissible in court if accompanied by proper certification, ensuring that the records are accurate and providing a fair opportunity for challenge by the opposing party.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 17-13-180, 17-13-190
02/05/2025: 17-13-180, 17-13-190
Latest Version: 17-13-180, 17-13-190