S.C. Code Ann. tit. 56, ch. 21

in effect

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-10 Governing boards of state institutions may employ security personnel and make traffic regulations.

The governing boards of all State institutions which provide for the operation and parking of vehicles upon the grounds, streets, drives and alleys or any other institutional property under its control are hereby authorized to employ security personnel and to promulgate such traffic regulations as may be deemed necessary. Such regulations may include the following: (1) Fixing the rate of speed; (2) Assigning parking spaces and designating parking areas and assessing charges therefor; (3) Prohibiting parking in certain areas; (4) Removing vehicles parked in violation of regulations at the expense of the violator; (5) Instituting a system of registration for vehicle identification; (6) Issuing parking and traffic tickets.

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-20 Unlawful parking at state institutions.

It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle upon any property under the control of a State institution except in the manner designated by such institution.

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-30 Posting of speed limit and parking regulation signs at state institutions.

Notice of speed limits and parking regulations on property of the State institutions shall be provided by the posting of conspicuous signs in places deemed appropriate.

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-40 Fines and forfeitures shall go to state institutions.

All fines and bail forfeitures collected under the provisions of Sections 56-21-10 to 56-21-60 shall be deposited in the general fund of the particular State institution wherein the violation occurred.

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-50 Jurisdiction of courts within area of state institutions; duty of county treasurer receiving fines or forfeitures.

The recorder, judge or the magistrate having jurisdiction within the area where such State institution is situate shall have jurisdiction to hear, try and determine violations of the provisions of Sections 56-21-10 to 56-21-60. The county treasurer who receives fines or bail forfeitures collected by the recorder, judge or magistrate for violations of the provisions of Sections 56-21-10 to 56-21-60 shall remit such fines or forfeitures to the institutions concerned.

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-60 Penalties for traffic and parking offenses at state institutions.

Any person violating the provisions of Sections 56-21-10 to 56-21-50 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed thirty days.

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-70 Regulation of traffic and parking at State Hospital and Midlands Center; application of state laws.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations governing and controlling use of the roads, streets and parking facilities by operators of vehicles within the area and lands of the State Hospital and Midlands Center. No such rules and regulations shall be in conflict with any State law on the subject, all of such State laws being hereby declared in force and applicable to the roads, streets and parking facilities under the control and authority of the Office of Mental Health. Copies of the rules and regulations shall be filed with the administrative heads of both institutions, the Secretary of State, the Code Commissioner, the city of Columbia and the magistrate's office in Upper township in Richland County. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18.

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-80 Enforcement of traffic and parking regulations at State Hospital and Midlands Center; summonses.

Marshals employed at both institutions shall enforce the laws, rules and regulations mentioned in Section 56-21-70 and shall issue summonses to all violators in the same manner as provided for highway patrolmen.

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-90 Jurisdiction of traffic and parking offenses at State Hospital and Midlands Center; forfeiture of bond.

Persons violating the provisions of any of the applicable laws, rules or regulations shall be tried by the magistrate or recorder having jurisdiction of the area in which the particular institution is situate; provided, any person who desires to forfeit bond may pay the amount of the minimum fine to the treasurer of the State Hospital or Midlands Center.

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-100 Penalties for traffic and parking offenses at State Hospital and Midlands Center.

Any person violating the provisions of any of the rules and regulations prescribed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than two dollars nor more than fifty dollars or be imprisoned for not more than fifteen days, in accordance with the schedule published by the Department. Violations of any other laws shall be punished as provided therefor. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18.

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-110 Fines and forfeitures shall go to State Hospital or Midlands Center.

All fines and bail forfeitures collected under the provisions of Sections 56-21-70 to 56-21-100 shall be credited to the general fund of the State Hospital or Midlands Center, dependent upon where the violation occurred. All fines and bail forfeitures resulting from the enforcement of Sections 56-21-70 to 56-21-100 shall be forthwith forwarded by the city recorder or magistrate to the State Hospital or Midlands Center to be credited to their respective general funds.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c021.phpFetched: 10/17/2026