Transit agencies, police back S.399 to let systems trespass disruptive riders; members ask how enforcement would work

Transit officials, police and advocates urged the Criminal Law Subcommittee to support Senate Bill 399, which would permit transit agencies to trespass disruptive or dangerous riders from the transit system that issued the notice and create procedural safeguards including written notices, law-enforcement involvement and appeal rights.

Erin Predmore, executive director of Greenville Connects, said the bill is modeled on library trespass systems and would help transit agencies keep operators and riders safe across jurisdictions where local interpretations of trespass law vary. “We are asking for this bill to continue to move forward so that we can keep our transit system throughout the state safe,” Predmore said.

Maurice Pearl, executive director and CEO of CMRTA in Columbia, said the measure creates a clear, consistent framework for handling disruptive or criminal behavior on transit property and emphasized transparency: written notice, presence of law enforcement when notices are served and a process for appeals.

Jasmine Curtis, deputy director of Greenlink and a former bus operator, described recurring threats and assaults against bus operators — from punched doors and shattered glass to verbal threats of gun violence — and said a service-exclusion policy without legal trespass authority leaves operators and riders vulnerable. “When people engage in this behavior and it goes without consequence, it creates conditions where they feel empowered to do it again and again,” Curtis told lawmakers.

Members repeatedly pressed witnesses on enforcement logistics: how transit systems would verify identities, whether trespass would apply across systems or only locally, and whether drivers would be put in harm’s way trying to physically exclude passengers. Witnesses said the bill contemplates local implementation (each transit system will document and manage its own process), that police involvement is required when a trespass notice is served, and that systems commonly rely on supervisors, contracted security and camera systems to manage incidents and provide evidence for law enforcement.

Capt. Ed Irick of the Greenville Police Department cited frequent loitering and recent violent incidents at the downtown bus terminal, saying officers can make arrests but lack authority to prevent repeat offenders from returning without a trespass mechanism.

With no further amendments offered, the committee ordered a favorable report on S.399 by roll call; the record shows 'Aye' votes from Chairman Jeff Johnson, Representative William Bailey, Representative Robbie Robbins and Representative Seth Rose.

The legislation advances from subcommittee with a favorable report; remaining questions for lawmakers include enforcement resources, inter-jurisdictional coordination and the specifics of implementation at individual transit systems.