The bill S. 74 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 17-13-142, which authorizes law enforcement officers, circuit solicitors, and the Attorney General to require the disclosure of electronic communications and related records from providers of electronic communication services or remote computing services under specific circumstances. The bill outlines the procedures and conditions for such disclosures, aligning them with federal law. It allows for the issuance of court orders and search warrants for the production of stored electronic communications and transactional records, and it grants the Attorney General and circuit solicitors the authority to issue subpoenas for stored electronic records relevant to ongoing criminal investigations.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that South Carolina businesses providing electronic communication services must comply with valid subpoenas, court orders, or warrants from other states as if they were issued by a South Carolina court. It also includes provisions for penalties for intentional violations and offers immunity to service providers acting in good faith when responding to legal requests. The bill ensures that all terms are consistent with federal definitions and clarifies that it does not expand the obligations of electronic communication service providers. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 17-13-142
01/27/2025: 17-13-142
01/27/2025-A: 17-13-142
02/05/2025: 17-13-142
03/20/2025: 17-13-142
04/23/2025: 17-13-142
04/24/2025: 17-13-142
05/06/2025: 17-13-142
Latest Version: 17-13-142