A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-605 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL CONCEALMENT OF A DEATH AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.

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

SECTION 1.  Article 7, Chapter 17, Title 16 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 16-17-605. (A) A person who, with the intent to conceal the death of another person, fails to notify a law enforcement agency of the death or secretly buries human remains or otherwise secretly disposes of human remains is guilty of the felony of unlawful concealment of a death and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years.

    (B) Notwithstanding another provision of law, a person who aids, counsels, or abets any other person in the unlawful concealment of a death as provided in this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one year.

    (C) The penalties provided in this section are in addition to the penalties for any other offense for which the person also may be convicted, and a violation of this section is not considered to be a lesser-included offense.

SECTION 2.  The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide.  After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.

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

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