A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-7-10, RELATING TO ILLEGAL ACTS DURING STATES OF EMERGENCY, SO AS TO INCLUDE THAT HARASSING OR THREATENING A WORKER RESTORING CRITICAL SERVICES IS A MISDEMEANOR, AND THAT ASSAULTING OR ENDANGERING A WORKER RESTORING CRITICAL SERVICES OR DESTROYING OR TAMPERING WITH AN ELECTRIC UTILITY SYSTEM IS A FELONY, AND TO DEFINE CRITICAL SERVICES.
H5058 amends South Carolina’s emergency powers statute governing unlawful conduct during a declared state of emergency. The bill adds a new offense for willfully and knowingly harassing or threatening a worker restoring critical services, making that conduct a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. It also creates a felony offense for willfully and knowingly assaulting or endangering such a worker, or for destroying, damaging, or tampering with an electric utility system.
The bill defines “critical services” broadly to include electric and gas service, water and sewer service, road and highway repair, telephone or cell service, satellite or internet service, and other services necessary for home and commercial properties. It also keeps existing emergency-related offenses in place, including violations of emergency proclamations, looting, and price gouging, and states that the new penalties are cumulative to existing penalties under South Carolina’s consumer protection laws.
If enacted, H5058 would expand Section 16-7-10 of the South Carolina Code by adding specific protections for utility, infrastructure, and restoration workers during declared emergencies. It would create new misdemeanor and felony penalties tied to interference with those workers and with electric utility systems, while leaving existing emergency offenses and penalties intact. The bill would therefore increase criminal liability for conduct that disrupts restoration of essential services after disasters or other emergencies.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a public-safety and infrastructure-protection bill with a generally protective purpose. The caption and structure suggest support for stronger deterrence against interference with emergency recovery efforts. No formal opposition, amendments, or recorded vote history is available in the provided materials, so there is no documented legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s apparent intent.
The main policy issue likely to draw attention is the breadth of the new felony provision, especially the phrase covering behavior that could endanger a worker restoring critical services and the inclusion of tampering with an electric utility system. Another possible point of contention is the broad definition of “critical services,” which extends beyond utilities to road repair and communications services and includes “other services necessary” for properties. Supporters would likely emphasize worker safety and rapid restoration after disasters, while critics might question vagueness, overbreadth, or the severity of felony penalties.