S 14

Abstract

A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-1-140 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE IN THE PENALTY FOR AN UNDERLYING OFFENSE IF THE OFFENDER INTENTIONALLY SELECTED THE PERSON AGAINST WHOM THE CRIME IS COMMITTED OR SELECTED THE PROPERTY THAT IS DAMAGED OR OTHERWISE AFFECTED BY THE CRIME IN WHOLE OR IN PART BECAUSE OF THE OFFENDER'S BELIEF OR PERCEPTION REGARDING THE RACE, COLOR, ETHNICITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, CULTURAL OR SOCIAL IDENTITY, ANCESTRY, RELIGION, GENDER, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR DISABILITY OF THAT PERSON OR THE OWNER OR OCCUPANT OF THAT PROPERTY, WHETHER OR NOT THE OFFENDER'S BELIEF OR PERCEPTION WAS CORRECT; AND TO AMEND SECTION 63-19-1410, RELATING TO DISPOSITIONAL POWERS OF THE FAMILY COURT REGARDING CHILDREN ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE COURT TO MAKE FINDINGS THAT A CHILD INTENTIONALLY SELECTED THE PERSON AGAINST WHOM AN OFFENSE IS COMMITTED OR SELECTED THE PROPERTY THAT IS DAMAGED OR OTHERWISE AFFECTED BY THE OFFENSE IN WHOLE OR IN PART BECAUSE OF THE CHILD'S BELIEF OR PERCEPTION REGARDING THE RACE, COLOR, ETHNICITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, CULTURAL OR SOCIAL IDENTITY, ANCESTRY, RELIGION, GENDER, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR DISABILITY OF THAT PERSON OR THE OWNER OR OCCUPANT OF THAT PROPERTY, WHETHER OR NOT THE CHILD'S BELIEF OR PERCEPTION WAS CORRECT AND ORDER A CHILD FOR WHOM SUCH FINDINGS ARE MADE, AS A CONDITION OF PROBATION, COMMITMENT OR OTHERWISE, TO PARTICIPATE IN AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM REGARDING CULTURAL DIVERSITY.