The bill S. 458 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding trespassing. It modifies Section 16-11-600 to include the option of enclosing land with a fence as a valid form of notice against trespassing, in addition to the existing methods of posting notices and marking boundaries with purple paint. Furthermore, the bill amends Section 16-11-620 to establish that it is a misdemeanor for individuals to knowingly enter another person's dwelling, place of business, or structure without authorization, invitation, or legal cause, and to fail to leave when requested.

The proposed legislation introduces graduated penalties for trespassing offenses, with fines and potential imprisonment increasing with the number of offenses. For a first offense, the penalty can be a fine of up to $200 or imprisonment for up to 30 days; for a second offense, up to $500 or 90 days; and for a third or subsequent offense, up to $1,000 or one year in prison. The bill also clarifies that municipal and magistrate courts can handle these cases, and it emphasizes that these provisions are supplementary to existing trespass laws.

Statutes affected:
03/18/2025: 16-11-600, 16-11-620
Latest Version: 16-11-600, 16-11-620