(A) This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Military Service Integrity and Preservation Act".

(B) A person who, with the intent of securing a tangible benefit, knowingly and falsely represents himself through a written or oral communication, including a resume, to have:

(1) served in the Armed Forces of the United States, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both; or

(2) been awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor, a Distinguished-Service Cross, a Navy Cross, an Air Force Cross, a Silver Star, a Purple Heart, a Combat Infantryman's Badge, a Combat Action Badge, a Combat Medical Badge, a Combat Action Ribbon, or a Combat Action Medal as authorized by Congress or pursuant to federal law for the Armed Forces of the United States, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

(C) For purposes of this section, "tangible benefit" includes:

(1) a benefit relating to military service provided by the federal government or a state or local government;

(2) employment or personal advancement;

(3) financial remuneration;

(4) an effect on the outcome of a criminal or civil court proceeding; or

(5) an effect on an election which is presumed if the representation is made by a candidate for public office.

HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 175 (H.4259), Section 1, eff May 16, 2014.