TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 23 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO GENERAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY; BY ADDING SECTION 23-1-240, TO PROVIDE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT CHAPLAINS WITH A VALID CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT MAY BE AUTHORIZED TO CARRY A WEAPON IN THE SAME MANNER AND WITH THE SAME RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER; TO PROVIDE FOR THE REVOCATION OF THAT AUTHORIZATION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT REVOCATION OF AUTHORIZATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE REVOCATION OF THE CHAPLAIN'S CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT.

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

SECTION    1.    Chapter 1, Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 23-1-240.    (A)    The chief law enforcement officer of a municipality, or a sheriff, may authorize a chaplain serving with his agency who maintains a valid concealed weapons permit to carry a firearm in the same manner and with the same rights and privileges as a law enforcement officer serving with that agency.

(B)    The authorizing entity may revoke authorization to a chaplain who uses a weapon at any time and in a manner inconsistent with accepted law enforcement procedures or who has been convicted of any crime for which a penalty of imprisonment for more than one year may be imposed. For the purposes of this subsection, 'conviction' shall include a plea of guilty, a plea of nolo contendere or forfeiture of bail.

(C)    A revocation of authorization pursuant to this section does not constitute a revocation of the chaplain's concealed weapons permit."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.