South Carolina § 17-15-500 - Pretrial Reform Commission created.

§ 17-15-500. Pretrial Reform Commission created.

(A) There is established the South Carolina Pretrial Reform Commission composed of fifteen members as follows:

(1) three members to be appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee;

(2) three members to be appointed by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee;

(3) three members of the judiciary to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court;

(4) three members of the executive branch to be appointed by the Governor; and

(5) three members of the directly impacted community, including one crime survivor, one person that has been through the pretrial system, and a community member at large to be jointly appointed by the Chairmen of both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

(B) The members of the commission may begin meeting when at least a quorum has been appointed and shall elect one member to serve as chairman. A quorum shall consist of at least eight members.

(C) The primary duty of the South Carolina Pretrial Reform Commission is to prepare a comprehensive report that reviews and recommends:

(1) appropriate changes to the current pretrial system for all criminal offenses;

(2) maintaining, amending, or abolishing the current system for determining pretrial release or detention; and

(3) guidelines for legislation to improve the processing of cases in the court of general sessions, community safety, and court appearance outcomes.

(D) The purpose of the report is to enable the General Assembly to consider the Pretrial Reform Commission's findings and determine whether state laws should be amended.

(E) In making its recommendations, the commission must consider current case processing and correctional resources including, but not limited to, the capacities of local jails, community-based service providers, and state courts.

(F) The Pretrial Reform Commission must deliver its report and recommendations to the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee no later than July 1, 2024, and the commission shall terminate when the report is made.

(G) The Supreme Court shall provide appropriate staff for the commission. The Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee may provide additional staff for the Senate members, and the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee may provide additional staff for the House members.

(H) Members of the Pretrial Reform Commission may receive per diem, subsistence, and mileage as provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.

HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 83 (H.3532), SECTION 10, eff June 20, 2023.