PARENT'S RIGHTS NOW!

A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-4-60, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO AN ORDER FOR PROTECTION FROM DOMESTIC ABUSE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE COURT MAY PROHIBIT HARM OR HARASSMENT TO A PET ANIMAL OWNED, POSSESSED, KEPT, OR HELD BY THE PETITIONER AND TO PROVIDE THAT IN ORDERING TEMPORARY POSSESSION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY, THE COURT MAY ORDER THE TEMPORARY POSSESSION OF PET ANIMALS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 20-4-60(C) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 319 of 2008, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:

"( )prohibit harm or harassment, including a violation of Chapter 1, Title 47, against any pet animal owned, possessed, kept, or held by:
(a) the petitioner;
(b) any family or household member designated in the order;
(c) the respondent if the petitioner has a demonstrated interest in the pet animal."

SECTION 2. Section 20-4-60(C)(5) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 319 of 2008, is further amended to read:

"(5) provide for temporary possession of the personal property, including pet animals, of the parties and order assistance from law enforcement officers in removing personal property of the petitioner if the respondent's eviction has not been ordered;"

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on December 9, 2008 at 5:11 PM

*See, http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/prever/3117_20081209.htm