Teacher certificate renewal credit requirements

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-26-42 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL ANNUALLY DEVELOP AND APPROVE GUIDELINES FOR A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN ALL TEACHING AREAS, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE ALL DISTRICTS ANNUALLY SHALL PROVIDE THE PROGRAM AS IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY THE DISTRICT AT NO COST TO THE TEACHERS, TO PROVIDE ALL TEACHERS ANNUALLY SHALL COMPLETE THE PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE ANNUAL COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM DURING EACH YEAR OF A PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR CERTIFICATE RENEWAL CYCLE WILL SATISFY ALL RENEWAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE RENEWAL IN THAT CYCLE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THIS REQUIREMENT TO CERTIFICATE RENEWAL CYCLES THAT BEGIN AFTER JUNE 30, 2026 AND CERTIFICATE RENEWAL CYCLES THAT BEGAN BEFORE JUNE 30, 2026.