Bill
H 3913
Creates a SLED Executive Protection Unit to guard state officials and visiting dignitaries, enforce restricted zones, and punish interference with security operations.
Below is a concise, plain-language summary of the materials you provided. The packet contains two distinct bill texts (one creating a South Carolina SLED protective unit and a separate Massachusetts local charter amendment for the Town of Seekonk). I summarize each and note the procedural details included in your packet.
Summary — SLED Executive Protection Unit (South Carolina bill)
- Purpose: Establish a SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) Executive Protection Unit to provide security and transportation for designated state officials and certain visiting dignitaries, and to criminalize interference with protected zones and operations.
- Key definitions:
- “SLED Executive Protection Unit”: sworn officers assigned by the Chief of SLED for security/transport of protected persons.
- “Restricted Buildings or Grounds”: posted/cordoned or otherwise restricted areas where a protected person will be temporarily visiting, or areas restricted for a “special event of state significance.”
- “Special event of state significance”: events so designated by the Governor or SLED Chief (or federal designation such as National Special Security Event).
- Core provisions:
- The Unit shall protect the Governor, the first lady, the Governor’s minor children, and the Lieutenant Governor.
- SLED may employ personnel with authority to bear arms and make arrests (with or without warrants) under the same terms as investigative personnel.
- SLED may provide protective services for visiting governors, visiting legislative leaders from other states, certain federal elected officials, and certain visiting U.S. Executive Branch appointees — upon request and SLED Chief approval — when the visit is of significant public purpose or a failure to provide security would create a clear danger.
- SLED may coordinate and request assistance from other law enforcement agencies.
- New offenses and penalties:
- Prohibits knowingly entering or remaining in restricted areas without authority, disorderly/disruptive conduct in restricted areas intended to impede official functions, refusing lawful orders intended to protect movements of protected persons, obstructing ingress/egress, and committing violence in restricted areas.
- Penalties: If the offense involves a deadly weapon or causes “great bodily injury” → felony, up to 5 years imprisonment. Any other violation → misdemeanor, up to 3 years imprisonment.
- Effective date: Upon approval by the Governor (bill text cites immediate effect on gubernatorial approval).
Summary — Town of Seekonk charter amendment (Massachusetts bill H.3913 text included)
- Purpose: Modernize and amend the Town of Seekonk charter text, primarily changing terminology and clarifying duties of the Town Administrator.
- Key provisions:
- Systematic replacement throughout the charter of the term “Board of Selectmen” with “Select Board” (articles and many sections listed).
- Revision to Article 6, Section 2, Subsection (C): new text specifies the Town Administrator shall attend all sessions of the town meeting and answer questions concerning warrant articles that relate to matters under the Town Administrator’s general supervision.
- Multiple cross‑references and procedural passages are updated to reflect the new terminology.
- Who is affected:
- Town governance documents and role titles in Seekonk (official documents, notices, and references to the Select Board).
- Town Administrator’s responsibilities at town meetings are clarified/expanded.
- Procedural notes:
- Petition presented by Rep. Steven S. Howitt (by vote of the town); packet notes “Local Approval Received.”
- The charter amendment text appears to be the local petition that requires legislative enactment consistent with Massachusetts charter amendment procedures.
Procedural/metadata and noted inconsistencies
- Your packet shows both texts; the South Carolina SLED bill appears to be a statewide statute draft (adds Section 23-3-90 to S.C. Code). The Seekonk charter text is a Massachusetts local charter amendment (filed as H.3913 / House Docket No. 4453).
- Legislative actions included in your materials (reads, substitution, committee reports, Senate concurrence, hearing dates, sponsors added) correspond to the Massachusetts docketing language; it is unclear from the packet which jurisdiction’s procedural timeline those actions apply to.
- Related bill reference: HD 4453 (replaces) — appears tied to the Massachusetts docket number.
If you want, I can:
- Produce a single-page fact sheet for either the S.C. SLED bill or the Seekonk charter amendment;
- Map all specific charter sections changed in the Seekonk draft; or
- Extract and format the precise criminal-code additions and penalties for legislative/legal review.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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