(A) There is created a multidisciplinary Domestic Violence Advisory Committee composed of:

(1) the Attorney General of the State of South Carolina, or a designee, who serves ex officio;

(2) the Director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services, or a designee, who serves ex officio;

(3) the Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, or a designee, who serves ex officio;

(4) the Director of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, or a designee, who serves ex officio;

(5) the Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, or a designee, who serves ex officio;

(6) the Director of the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, or a designee, who serves ex officio;

(7) the Director of the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, or a designee, who serves ex officio;

(8) a county coroner or medical examiner, appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, who serves ex officio;

(9) a solicitor, appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Attorney General, who serves ex officio;

(10) a sheriff, appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Sheriffs' Association;

(11) a victim advocate, appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Office of the Attorney General, South Carolina Crime Victim Services Division;

(12) a physician with experience in treating victims of domestic violence, appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the South Carolina Medical Association;

(13) two members of the public at large dedicated to the issue of domestic violence, appointed by the Governor;

(14) a police chief, appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Law Enforcement Officers' Association;

(15) one member of the South Carolina Senate, appointed by the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman; and

(16) one member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, appointed by the House Judiciary Committee Chairman.

(B)(1) If an individual enumerated in subsection (A)(1) through (7) designates an employee to serve as the committee member, the designee must have administrative or program responsibilities for domestic violence.

(2) A member appointed by the Governor shall serve a term of four years and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(C) The members of the committee shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among the membership by a majority vote. The chairman and vice chairman shall serve terms of two years.

(D) The committee shall hold meetings at least quarterly. A majority of the committee constitutes a quorum for the purpose of holding a meeting.

(E) Each ex officio member shall provide sufficient staff and administrative support to carry out the responsibilities of this article.

HISTORY: 2015 Act No. 58 (S.3), Pt IV, Section 20, eff June 4, 2015.

Code Commissioner's Note

Pursuant to 2017 Act No. 96, Section 14, the reference to "State Office of Victim Assistance of the Office of the Governor" in (A)(11) was changed to "Office of the Attorney General, South Carolina Crime Victim Services Division".