Opinion ID: 2507480
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether the amendments to section 23-3-430 are procedural or remedial in nature.

Text: Appellant argues that the amendments to section 23-3-430 of the South Carolina Code are procedural and remedial in nature, and thus apply retroactively to Respondent's case. It is a well-settled rule of statutory construction that absent a specific provision or clear legislative intent to the contrary, statutes are to be construed prospectively rather than retroactively, unless the statute is remedial or procedural in nature. S.C. Dept. of Revenue v. Rosemary Coin Machs., Inc., 339 S.C. 25, 28, 528 S.E.2d 416, 418 (2000); Bartley v. Bartley Logging Co., 293 S.C. 88, 90, 359 S.E.2d 55, 56 (1987). The General Assembly did not explicitly provide that the amendments to section 23-3-430 apply retroactively. See S.C.Code Ann. § 23-3-430 (Supp.2010). Therefore, the amendments may only apply to Respondent's case if this Court finds them to be remedial or procedural.
A statute is remedial where it creates new remedies for existing rights or enlarges the rights of persons under disability. Smith v. Eagle Constr. Co., 282 S.C. 140, 143, 318 S.E.2d 8, 9 (1984). When a statute creates a new obligation or imposes a new duty, courts generally consider the statute prospective only. 82 C.J.S. Statutes § 585 (2009). The State argues that the amendments are remedial because the amendment enlarges the remedy provided to law enforcement to gather information about sex offenders. However, under this analysis, any law that expanded the police power could be considered retroactive because of the enlarged remedy given to the State in executing its responsibilities. Moreover, the amendments to section 23-3-430 of the South Carolina Code do not create a new right, but instead impose an obligation which did not exist prior to the amendments. The statute did not prevent Respondent's removal from the sex offender registry at the time of his pardon. However, the statute's amendments, if applied retroactively, would require Respondent to remain on the sex offender registry. The balance of authority on this subject weighs against this Court adopting the State's definition of remedial. Hercules, Inc. v. S.C. Tax Comm'n, 274 S.C. 137, 143, 262 S.E.2d 45, 48 (1980) (holding that statutes affecting the remedy, not the right, are generally retrospective); Kneisley v. Lattimer-Stevens Co., 40 Ohio St.3d 354, 533 N.E.2d 743, 745 (1988) (finding a statute substantive instead of remedial where it imposed new or additional burdens, duties, obligations or liabilities as to past transaction); Wiesart v. Stewart, 379 S.C. 300, 303, 665 S.E.2d 187, 188 (Ct.App.2009) (holding that a statute is remedial and applies retroactively when it creates new remedies for existing rights or enlarges rights of persons under disability); 82 C.J.S. Statutes § 585 (2009) (explaining that where a statute takes away or impairs vested rights acquired under existing laws, creates new obligations, imposes a new duty, or attaches a new disability, it will be construed as prospective only).
The State argues that the 2008 amendment is procedural because it sets forth the circumstances in which an individual with a pardon is required to register as a sex offender. However, a procedural law sets out a mode of procedure for a court to follow, or prescribes a method of enforcing rights. Black's Law Dictionary 1083 (1979). Moreover, a statute that limits a right is generally not procedural. Merchants Mut. Ins. Co. v. S.C. Second Injury Fund, 277 S.C. 604, 608, 291 S.E.2d 667, 669 (1982). In Wiesart v. Stewart , the court of appeals addressed whether amendments to the sex offender registry statute were remedial or procedural. 379 S.C. 300, 665 S.E.2d 187 (Ct.App. 2009). In 1979, a Maryland court convicted Wiesart of indecent exposure, and in 1995 he pled guilty in Horry County to a controlled substance offense. Id. at 302, 665 S.E.2d at 188. Wiesart received probation, and his probation agent informed him that he would have to register as a sex offender because of his prior indecent exposure conviction. Id. at 302, 665 S.E.2d at 188. Prior to 1996, section 23-3-430 of the South Carolina Code required any person convicted of indecent exposure to register annually as a sex offender. Id. In 1996, the General Assembly amended the statute to include a person convicted of indecent exposure only if the court makes a specific finding on the record based on the circumstances of the case the convicted person should register as a sex offender. Id. Wiesart brought a declaratory judgment action asserting that he was entitled to a hearing on the issue of whether he was required to register as a sex offender. Id. The circuit court ruled that the statute was not retroactive. Wiesart, 379 S.C. at 302, 665 S.E.2d at 188. The court of appeals disagreed finding that the amendment was procedural because it set a mode of procedure for the trial court to follow. Id. at 303, 665 S.E.2d at 188. In State v. Frey, 362 S.C. 511, 608 S.E.2d 874 (Ct.App.2005), the court of appeals reviewed a circuit court's decision to admit evidence of blood-alcohol analysis test results. Id. at 515, 608 S.E.2d at 877. Frey objected, arguing that the State did not present evidence that the blood sample was drawn by a qualified individual as required by the implied consent statute. Id. at 517-18, 608 S.E.2d at 877-78. The State countered that even if Frey's assertion was correct, suppression would not be warranted because Frey was not prejudiced by the failure to comply with the statute. Id. at 518, 608 S.E.2d at 878. The General Assembly revised the statute shortly after Frey's trial by adding subsection (e): [T]he failure to follow any of these policies, procedures, and regulations, or the provisions of this section, shall result in the exclusion from evidence any test results, if the trial judge or hearing officer finds that such failure materially affected the accuracy or reliability of the tests results or the fairness of the testing procedure. S.C.Code Ann. § 56-5-2950(e) (2006) (emphasis added). The court of appeals noted that although the revision above became effective shortly after the trial of the case, the revision addressed procedural rather than substantive rights, and was therefore retroactive. Frey, 362 S.C. at 518 n. 3, 608 S.E.2d at 878 n. 3. The court of appeals found that the State failed to establish that Frey's blood sample was obtained in accordance with the statute. Id. at 519, 608 S.E.2d at 879. Thus, the court remanded the case to the circuit court for a determination of whether such failure materially affected the accuracy or reliability of the test results or the fairness of the testing procedure. Id. The amendments to section 23-3-430 do not provide a procedure for a court to follow, or prescribe a method for enforcing rights. Thus, the amendments are not procedural and cannot be applied retroactively to Respondent's case.