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Subcommittee backs bill to certify electronic monitoring providers after Orangeburg incident
Summary
The panel gave House Bill 5401 a favorable report; the bill would require certification and SLED oversight for electronic monitoring companies and create penalties for intentional misconduct after testimony about a bondsman who deactivated multiple ankle monitors.
The Criminal Law Subcommittee reported House Bill 5401 favorably after testimony describing a recent Orangeburg incident in which a monitoring technician allegedly removed multiple ankle monitors from supervised individuals.
Representative Robbins said the bill would create a SLED certification program for electronic monitoring companies, set oversight expectations and add penalties for intentional misconduct by monitoring personnel. Committee members questioned scope and unintended consequences but acknowledged SLED already inspects and certifies providers to a degree; Representative Bailey noted SLED’s extensive application requirements and inspection regime.
Laura Hudson and others urged a broader review of monitoring practices statewide but supported HB 5401 as a starting point. The committee recorded a favorable report and the bill will move forward for further consideration.
