(A) A person whose DNA record or DNA profile has been included in the State DNA Database must have his DNA record and his DNA profile expunged if:

(1) the charges pending against the person who has been arrested or ordered to submit a sample:

(a) have been nolle prossed;

(b) have been dismissed; or

(c) have been reduced below the requirement for inclusion in the State DNA Database; or

(2) the person has been found not guilty, or the person's conviction has been reversed, set aside, or vacated.

(B) The solicitor in the county in which the person was charged must notify SLED when the person becomes eligible to have his DNA record and DNA profile expunged. Upon receiving this notification, SLED must begin the expungement procedure.

(C) SLED, at no cost to the person, must purge DNA and all other identifiable record information and the DNA profile from the State DNA Database if SLED receives either:

(1) a document certified:

(a) by a circuit court judge;

(b) by a prosecuting agency; or

(c) by a clerk of court;

that must be produced to the requestor at no charge within fourteen days after the request is made and after one of the events in subsection (A) has occurred, and no new trial has been ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction; or

(2) a certified copy of the court order finding the person not guilty, or reversing, setting aside, or vacating the conviction.

(D) The person's entry in the State DNA Database shall not be removed if the person has another qualifying offense.

(E) The jail intake officer, sheriff's office employee, courthouse employee, or detention facility intake officer shall provide written notification to the person of his right to have his DNA record and DNA profile expunged and the procedure for the expungement pursuant to this section at the time that the person's saliva or tissue sample is taken. The written notification must include that the person is eligible to have his DNA record and his DNA profile expunged at no cost to the person when:

(1) the charges pending against the person are:

(a) nolle prossed;

(b) dismissed; or

(c) reduced below the requirement for inclusion in the State DNA Database; or

(2) when the person has been found not guilty, or the person's conviction has been reversed, set aside, or vacated.

(F) When SLED completes the expungement process, SLED must notify the person whose DNA record and DNA profile have been expunged and inform him, in writing, that the expungement process has been completed.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 131A; 2008 Act No. 413, Section 4.F, eff January 1, 2009.

Editor's Note

2008 Act No. 413, Section 4.A provides as follows:

"This SECTION may be cited as the 'South Carolina Protection from Violence Against Women and Children Act'."

2008 Act No. 413, Section 4.I provides as follows:

"This SECTION takes effect on January 1, 2009. However, the implementation of the procedures provided for in this SECTION is contingent upon the State Law Enforcement Division's receipt of funds necessary to implement these provisions. Until the provisions of this SECTION are fully funded and executed, implementation of the provisions of this SECTION shall not prohibit the collection and testing of DNA samples by the methods allowed prior to the implementation of this SECTION from persons convicted, adjudicated delinquent, or on probation or parole for those crimes listed in Section 23-3-620. Upon this SECTION taking effect, a South Carolina law enforcement agency, which has in its possession any DNA samples that have been included in the State DNA Database, immediately must destroy and dispose of the DNA samples in accordance with regulations promulgated by SLED pursuant to Section 23-3-640."

2008 Act No. 413, Section 7 provides as follows:

"The provisions of Section 17-28-350 become effective upon the signature of the Governor. All other provisions become effective January 1, 2009. The enactment of these provisions prior to the effective date indicates the intent of the General Assembly that statewide laws or practices shall exist to ensure additional procedures for post-conviction DNA testing, and proper preservation of biological evidence connected to murder, rape, and nonnegligent homicide in order that application for available federal funds shall be made by the appropriate agencies and considered by the appropriate federal agencies prior to the effective date."

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment rewrote this section.