Education

signed · South Carolina · House Jun 2, 2026

H 5073: Public school grading

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-29-250 SO AS TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL GRADING SYSTEMS, TO CONDITION ELIGIBILITY FOR CREDIT RECOVERY AND CONTENT RECOVERY ON COMPLETION OF REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS, TO LIMIT THE USE OF CERTAIN ASSESSMENTS, TO PROVIDE ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS, TO DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO EVALUATE AND RECOMMEND REVISIONS TO THE UNIFORM GRADING POLICY, AND TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDED REVISIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS. - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes academic standards for grading, requiring assignment completion and limiting assessments to ensure rigorous evaluation, advancing educational quality and accountability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · South Carolina · House Jun 2, 2026

H 3195: Unstructured and self-directed recess in public schools

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-10-10, RELATING TO PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SO AS TO EXPAND SUCH REQUIREMENTS TO INCLUDE STUDENTS IN FOUR-YEAR-OLD KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE AND TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND RECESS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-10-30, RELATING TO PHYSICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITY DIRECTORS AND VOLUNTEERS, SO AS TO INCLUDE NONCERTIFIED STAFF AND MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-29-80, RELATING TO REQUIRED SUBJECTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSEWORK, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE ATTEMPTING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS; AND TO REDESIGNATE ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 10, TITLE 59 AS "PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITY." - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates minimum recess periods for K-8, strengthening physical activity requirements in school curriculum standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · South Carolina · House May 26, 2026

H 3453: Veterans' Children Tuition Assistance

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-111-20, RELATING TO FREE TUITION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS' CHILDREN, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN VETERANS' CHILDREN QUALIFY FOR FREE TUITION IF THEY MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA. - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access by providing free tuition to veterans' children meeting residency criteria, directly advancing educational opportunity.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' children's tuition benefits by changing residency requirement to 'since birth,' increasing access to free education for more veterans' families.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · South Carolina · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3831: Smart Heart Act

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SMART HEART ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-165 SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN IN EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-17-155, RELATING TO THE AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAM IN HIGH SCHOOLS, SO AS TO PROVIDE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL SHALL ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF AN AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR ONSITE AND WITHIN CERTAIN PROXIMITY OF SCHOOL ATHLETIC VENUES, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED TESTING, MAINTENANCE, AND PERSONNEL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates cardiac emergency response plans and AED presence in public schools, enhancing school safety infrastructure per education topic description.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · South Carolina · House Mar 5, 2026

H 4257: Excused student absences

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-1-462 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS, RELATING TO EXCUSED SCHOOL ABSENCES FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN ANY INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY AUTHORIZED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ACTIVITY IS SANCTIONED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE OR ANY OTHER GOVERNING ENTITY, AND TO REQUIRE THAT STUDENTS BE IN ACADEMIC GOOD STANDING TO QUALIFY FOR SUCH EXCUSED ABSENCES. - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to excuse absences for approved activities, enabling student participation in school programs without penalty.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · South Carolina · Senate Jun 5, 2025

S 389: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO LIFE SCHOLARSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP ENHANCEMENT, DESIGNATED AS

This bill (S 389) is a procedural joint resolution formally approving the State Commission on Higher Education’s Regulation Document 5321, which governs the LIFE Scholarship and Scholarship Enhancement programs. It directly affects South Carolina students receiving these state-funded scholarships by confirming the Commission’s established rules for eligibility, administration, and awarding. The resolution does not create new policies but authorizes the Commission’s existing regulations to take effect under state law. It was signed by the governor on April 28, 2025, and became effective the same day.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationApproves existing scholarship regulations, maintaining state funding for higher education access without changes to current support structure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · South Carolina · House May 19, 2025

H 3632: STEM scholarship stipends

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-149-15, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL LIFE SCHOLARSHIP STIPENDS, AND SECTION 59-104-25, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP STIPENDS, BOTH SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN COURSEWORK IN ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS STATISTICS MUST COUNT TOWARDS CERTAIN REQUIRED FRESHMAN YEAR COURSEWORK IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE, AND TO CLARIFY THESE PROVISIONS APPLY BEGINNING WITH ACCOUNTING MAJORS WHO COMPLETED SUCH COURSEWORK AS FRESHMEN IN THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends scholarship requirements to mandate STEM-related coursework in math/science, expanding educational access and promoting STEM pathways for college students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · South Carolina · Senate May 19, 2025

S 78: Work Experience Credit for Educators

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-25-60 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL AWARD YEARS OF EXPERIENCE CREDIT FOR CERTAIN RELEVANT NON-TEACHING OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO CERTIFICATES OF EDUCATORS WHO SATISFY CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE SUCH EXPERIENCE CREDIT MAY BE AWARDED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADVANCEMENT ON THE TEACHER SALARY SCHEDULE, TO PROVIDE OTHER EXISTING CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS REMAIN UNCHANGED BY THIS ACT; AND TO PROVIDE DIRECTIVES TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT. - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides non-teaching experience credit for teacher salary advancement, strengthening educator compensation without altering certification requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · South Carolina · Senate May 16, 2025

S 425: School meals for students in poverty

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-795 SO AS TO PROVIDE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNUALLY SHALL IDENTIFY THE NUMBER OF ITS STUDENTS WHO LIVE IN POVERTY AND INCREASE ACCESS TO FREE SCHOOL BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES FOR THESE STUDENTS, TO PROVIDE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SCHOOLS, AND SCHOOL BOARDS, AND TO PROVIDE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE SUSPENDED IF CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDING IS SUSPENDED OR DISCONTINUED. - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates increased access to free school meals for students in poverty, expanding educational access and supporting vulnerable students' ability to learn.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · South Carolina · House May 7, 2025

H 3247: Excused school absences

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-462 SO AS TO EXCUSE ABSENCES, NOT TO EXCEED TEN SCHOOL DAYS PER SCHOOL YEAR, FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WHEN PARTICIPATING IN CERTAIN CAREER AND TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCES, AND TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING AND COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS MISSED DURING SUCH EXCUSED ABSENCES. - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allows excused absences for career/tech student org participation, enabling educational program access without attendance penalty92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education