(A) Prior to employment of any firefighter, paid or volunteer, the fire chief or other employer must ensure that each prospective firefighter undergoes a criminal records check conducted by a law enforcement agency.
(B) The cost of the criminal records check must not exceed eight dollars.
(C) A person who is convicted, pleads guilty or no contest, or otherwise admits guilt, regardless of adjudication, to a felony, arson related crime, use of an illegal substance, or abuse of a controlled substance within the last ten years, shall not be allowed to perform firefighting duties in the State of South Carolina on or after July 1, 2001. After the expiration of the ten-year period, a fire chief has the option and discretion to determine whether or not to hire a person with a criminal record as a firefighter.
(D) A criminal records check is not required for a firefighter employed on or before June 30, 2001.