COLUMBIA (AP) -- South Carolina governors won't be able to tell their security details to leave them alone under legislation that has won a panel's approval.
The Senate panel's action Thursday would require governors to have full-time protection from the State Law Enforcement Division.
Republican Sen. Larry Martin of Pickens says the change is a response to Gov. Mark Sanford telling his detail to stand down in June as he left the state for Argentina to rendezvous with the woman he called his soul mate.
Martin says it's important to pass the bill this year so candidates running for governor will know they would have full-time security. He says candidates don't want the protection they shouldn't run.
The bill is one of the first approved in response to Sanford's affair.
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