Signed by Governor Henry McMaster

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the electric chair as the default method of execution and adds the firing squad as an alternative method of execution.

Highlights:

• Establishes that a convicted person may elect to be executed via the following: (Sec. 1 A).

• Lethal injection; or 

• A firing squad, if it is available at the time, under the supervision of the Director of the Department of Corrections.

• Requires that the Director of the Department of Corrections certify an affidavit on whether the method of execution is available (Sec. 1 B).

• Requires a person guilty of capital crimes to be executed via electrocution, unless the person elects for death by firing squad or lethal injection (Sec. 1 C).

• Specifies that two non-inmate witnesses, unaffiliated with the department of corrections, must watch a convicted person sign the form deciding the method of execution. (Sec. 1 C)

• Establishes that if execution by lethal injection is determined to be unavailable then the method of execution must be electrocution (Sec. 1 D).

• Specifies that the Department of Corrections must provide a written note to the convicted person of his right established above (Sec. 1 E).

• Requires the Department of Corrections to establish protocols and procedures for carrying out executions (Sec. 1 E).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the electric chair as the default method of execution and adds the firing squad as an alternative method of execution.

Highlights:

• Establishes that a convicted person may elect to be executed via the following: (Sec. 1 A).

• Lethal injection; or 

• A firing squad, if it is available at the time, under the supervision of the Director of the Department of Corrections.

• Requires that the Director of the Department of Corrections certify an affidavit on whether the method of execution is available (Sec. 1 B).

• Requires a person guilty of capital crimes to be executed via electrocution, unless the person elects for death by firing squad or lethal injection (Sec. 1 C).

• Specifies that two non-inmate witnesses, unaffiliated with the department of corrections, must watch a convicted person sign the form deciding the method of execution. (Sec. 1 C)

• Establishes that if execution by lethal injection is determined to be unavailable then the method of execution must be electrocution (Sec. 1 D).

• Specifies that the Department of Corrections must provide a written note to the convicted person of his right established above (Sec. 1 E).

• Requires the Department of Corrections to establish protocols and procedures for carrying out executions (Sec. 1 E).

Full Bill Text