Proposed Legislation

PROPOSED LEGISLATION

Feb 8, 2008 - The prospect of parole for a South Carolina teacher molesting at least nine students, has resulted efforts to curb or eliminate parole for sexual offenders.

Local lawmakers, 14th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone and S.C. Attorney General HenryMcMaster began talking about curbing parole ahead of the October parole hearing for a former Coosa Elementary School teacher convicted of molesting at least nine students.

The bills are House Bill 4523 (Erickson) and Senate Bill 894 (Ceips.)
HB 4523 would make child molesters ineligible for parole, and add committing or attempting a lewd act on children younger than 16 and to add the crime to a list of offenses subject to the three-strikes-and-you're-out. Conviction for any three of the specified crimes carries an automatic life sentence without parole.

SB894 would eliminate automatic parole consideration altogether. Most convicts in South Carolina imprisoned for misdemeanors and lesser felonies are eligible for release after serving a quarter of their sentence.
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TT - As it stands, non-violent offenders are eligible for parole after serving one-quarter of their sentence. This doesn't mean that they will receive parole. Under current law Philip Underwood-Sheppard can ask for a parole hearing every year now that he has served a portion of his 25-year sentence. This means victims and/or their families have to attend as well if they want their views heard.

TT entry Nov 2007 on proposed legislation
TT entry Feb 2008 - proposed legislation to criminalize teacher-student sex.

At last count, the Beaufort School District has paid $4.75 million in lawsuits to students in connection with Underwood-Sheppard. The insurance company will not pay for anything beyond one claim for $300,000. We've asked repeatedly, "Why was the school district liable for so much money?" Entry Entry