Tougher domestic violence bill heading back to House

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Senate gave key approval Wednesday to a bill that would add more jail time to and fines for people convicted of criminal domestic violence.

Senators did pass some amendments to the House bill, but supporters think the proposal should pass the General Assembly before lawmakers go home next week.

The bill increases the minimum fine for a first conviction of domestic violence to $1,000, up from $500, or 30 days in jail. But that can be suspended if the person completes a counseling program.

It also increases penalties for second convictions to 30 days to one year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. That compares with the current penalty of either 30 days in jail or a $500 fine.

Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, said the legislation sends a clear message: "Don't you do it again."

In April, the House Judiciary Committee killed the bill. But it was quickly resuscitated as public outcry grew over remarks from Rep. John Graham Altman, a Charleston Republican.

"I do not understand why women continue to go back around men who abuse them," Altman told the WIS-TV reporter as he explained why the bill needed to be tabled. "I've asked women that and they all tell me the same answer, 'John Graham, you don't understand.' And I say you're right, I don't understand."

Response to that report led House leaders to put the legislation on a fast track and pushed Altman to apologize.

Some have complained the legislation will fill up jails, but jails may need to be filled up "to keep this kind of thing from occurring around South Carolina," Martin said.

The bill is largely unchanged from what the House passed on May 5.

The Senate added amendments that will make it easier for people facing those charges to have court-appointed lawyers.

The legislation will get an automatic final reading Thursday and be sent back to the House.

With four days left in the session, time is running out for the bill. But that should not be a major hurdle because the Senate didn't make any major changes, said Vicki Bourus, executive director of the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia, had not seen the Senate's changes, but he said the House might embrace the Senate's language.

Even if there is no agreement, a conference committee should be able to work out differences before the Legislature adjourns Thursday, Harrison said.