Bill S. 76 seeks to enhance South Carolina's legal framework for addressing criminal gangs and racketeering by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. The bill establishes clear definitions for terms related to criminal gangs and their activities, outlines specific unlawful actions by gang members, and introduces penalties for these actions. It also allows for civil actions against gangs for damages caused by their activities and enhances the admissibility of evidence related to gang activity in criminal trials, thereby providing law enforcement with more effective tools to combat gang violence and organized crime.

Key provisions of the bill include the introduction of the Anti-Racketeering Act, which defines critical terms such as "enterprise" and "pattern of racketeering activity," and makes it unlawful to conspire or engage in racketeering activities, with significant penalties for violations. The bill also outlines civil remedies for individuals harmed by racketeering, including injunctive relief and recovery of damages, and establishes jurisdiction for state grand juries in related cases. Additionally, it emphasizes the protection of informant identities in civil actions and ensures that any unconstitutional provisions do not affect the validity of the remaining sections, ultimately aiming to strengthen the state's response to gang-related and racketeering offenses.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 16-8-230, 16-8-240, 16-8-245, 16-8-250, 16-8-275, 16-8-520, 16-8-530, 16-8-540, 16-8-550, 16-8-560, 16-8-570, 14-7-1630
01/17/2025: 16-8-230, 16-8-240, 16-8-245, 16-8-250, 16-8-275, 16-8-520, 16-8-530, 16-8-540, 16-8-550, 16-8-560, 16-8-570, 14-7-1630
Latest Version: 16-8-230, 16-8-240, 16-8-245, 16-8-250, 16-8-275, 16-8-520, 16-8-530, 16-8-540, 16-8-550, 16-8-560, 16-8-570, 14-7-1630