TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-9-750 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MAY ISSUE SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FOR HUNTING AND FISHING TO ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT MORE THAN TWENTY-ONE YEARS OLD WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A TERMINAL OR LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS OR INJURY WHO IS SPONSORED BY CERTAIN NONPROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, TO PROVIDE THAT LICENSE, TAG, AND FEE REQUIREMENTS FOR HUNTING AND FISHING ARE WAIVED, AND TO ALLOW THE DIRECTOR TO DETERMINE THE PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH THE SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION IS VALID.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 7, Chapter 9, Title 50 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 50-9-750.    (A)    The Director of the Department of Natural Resources may issue special authorization for hunting and fishing to any person not more than twenty-one years of age who has been diagnosed with a terminal or life threatening illness or injury. All license, tags, and fees specified in this chapter are waived for a person issued special authorization pursuant to this section. The director may impose any terms and conditions he deems necessary to implement the special authorization. This may include allowing members of family, chaperones and others to assist with the hunt.

(B)    The director may prepare an application to be used by persons requesting special authorization and may require signed documentation from a licensed physician.

(C)    The person seeking special authorization must be sponsored by a nonprofit charitable organization that has within its mission to provide opportunities and experiences to persons with life threatening illnesses or injuries.

(D)    The special authorization is valid for a time period designated by the director."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.