H 5058 — Interference with workers providing critical services

Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)                 A billhouse RESOLUTION   TO AMENDRECOGNIZE 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 THATSUPPORT ASSAULTING"INTRODUCE OR ENDANGERING A WORKERGIRL RESTORING CRITICAL SERVICES OR DESTROYING OR TAMPERING WITH AN ELECTRIC UTILITY SYSTEM IS A FELONY, AND TO DEFINEENGINEERING CRITICALDAY"; SERVICES.

 TO BeENCOURAGE itTHE enactedPARTICIPATION byOF theSTUDENTS, GeneralEDUCATORS, AssemblyENGINEERS, ofFAMILIES, theAND StateCOMMUNITY ofPARTNERS SouthACROSS Carolina:THE STATE;

 AND SECTIONTO 1. DECLARE SectionTUESDAY, 16-7-10FEBRUARY of24, the2026, S.C.AS "INTRODUCE A GIRL TO ENGINEERING DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Code  isWhereas, amendedthe tomembers read:of the South Carolina House of Representatives recognize the importance of inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders who will design, build, and sustain the future of the Palmetto State;

and      Whereas, Sectionengineering 16-7-10.plays a vital role in advancing South Carolina's economy, infrastructure, public safety, environmental stewardship, and overall quality of life and is a rewarding career path for girls and women alike;

(A)and In  anyWhereas, areawomen designatedand bygirls theremain Governorunderrepresented in hismany proclamationengineering thatand aSTEM-related statefields, ofbut emergencyearly exists,exposure to engineering concepts and duringrole themodels durationcan ofsignificantly theincrease proclamation,their itawareness, isconfidence, unlawfuland forinterest in pursuing a personcareer to:in engineering;

      and (1)(a)  violateWhereas, "Introduce a provisionGirl into theEngineering proclamationDay" including,is butpart notof limiteda to,national anymovement curfewthat setprovides forthopportunities byfor K-8 students to explore the proclamation;fascinating world of engineering through hands-on activities, mentorship, and engagement with professional engineers and technical experts;

          and (b)  congregate,Whereas, unlessby authorizedhighlighting orhow inengineers theirshape homes,our incommunities, groupsimprove oflives, threeand ortransform moreideas andinto toreality, refuse"Introduce a Girl to disperseEngineering uponDay" orderhelps students of aall lawbackgrounds enforcementenvision officer;themselves as future engineers and leaders in South Carolina.

orNow,           therefore, (c)  wilfullyBe failit orresolved refuseby tothe complyHouse with any lawful order or direction of anyRepresentatives: law enforcement officer.

        AThat person violatingwho violates the provisionsmembers of thisthe itemSouth isCarolina guiltyHouse of aRepresentatives, misdemeanorby and,this uponresolution, conviction,recognize mustand besupport fined"Introduce nota moreGirl thanto oneEngineering hundredDay"; dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.;

      encourage (2)(a) enter into the propertyparticipation of another,students, withouteducators, lawfulengineers, authorityfamilies, and withcommunity criminalpartners intent;across the State;

          and (b)declare damageTuesday, theFebruary property24, of2026, another;as "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" in South Carolina.

or            Be (c)it takefurther possessionresolved orthat otherwisea disturbcopy of this resolution be presented to the propertyAmerican Council of anotherEngineering inCompanies anyof manner.South Carolina and the South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers.

      ----XX---- AThis personweb violatingwhopage violateswas alast provisionupdated ofon thisJanuary item29, is2026 guiltyat of10:47 theAM felony of looting and, upon conviction, must be fined or, imprisoned, or both, in the discretion of the court.

The court must order restitution pursuant to Section 17-25-322;

       (3) charge unconscionable prices during a declared state of emergency or disaster, as described in Section 39-5-145, or knowingly and wilfully use a misleading practice or device to solicit the contribution or sale of goods or services for charitable purposes in connection with a declared state of emergency or disaster, as described in Section 39-5-147.;

       (4)(a) wilfully and knowingly harass or threaten a worker restoring critical services.

A person who violates a provision of this item shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be sentenced not more than thirty days' imprisonment or a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or both;

           (b) wilfully and knowingly assault or engage in behavior that could endanger a worker restoring critical services or destroy, damage, or tamper with an electric utility system, as defined in Section 16-11-740.

    A person who violates a provision of this item is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined, imprisoned, or both in the discretion of the court.

    (B) Penalties provided in this article are cumulative of and in addition to those provided in Sections 39-5-145 and 39-5-147.

    (C) For the purposes of this section, "critical services" include:

       (1) electric and gas services;

       (2) water and sewer services;

       (3) road and highway repair;

       (4) telephone or cell service;

       (5) satellite or internet service;

or        (6) other services necessary for home and commercial properties.

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

----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 29, 2026 at 10:49 AM