S 117

Abstract

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "CONTRABAND CELL PHONE ACT"; BY ADDING CHAPTER 4 TO TITLE 24, SO AS TO PROVIDE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS, TO ALLOW SUPERVISING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WITH REASONABLE SUSPICION TO BELIEVE THAT CONTRABAND CELL PHONES EXIST IN A PRISON OR LOCAL DETENTION FACILITY TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO DETECT AND CONFIRM SUCH PRESENCE, TO ALLOW SUPERVISING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO CONFIRM THE PRESENCE OF CONTRABAND CELL PHONES TO APPLY FOR AN EX PARTE ORDER REQUESTING SUSPENSION OF SERVICE FOR SUCH CONTRABAND CELL PHONES, TO AUTHORIZE THE CIRCUIT COURTS OF THIS STATE TO ISSUE EX PARTE ORDERS REQUIRING CELLULAR SERVICE PROVIDERS TO SUSPEND CELLULAR SERVICE TO IDENTIFIED CONTRABAND CELL PHONES, TO REQUIRE CELLULAR SERVICE PROVIDERS TO DISCONTINUE CELLULAR SERVICE TO CONTRABAND CELL PHONES UPON RECEIPT OF ORDERS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER, TO ALLOW CELLULAR SERVICE SUBSCRIBERS AFFECTED BY ORDERS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER TO CHALLENGE THE SUSPENSION OF SERVICE, AND TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL LIABILITY TO CERTAIN PERSONS AND ENTITIES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER.