Education

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

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

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-40, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHARTER SCHOOLS ACT, SO AS TO CHANGE REFERENCES FROM "SPONSOR" TO "AUTHORIZER," AND TO REVISE AND PROVIDE OTHER DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-50, RELATING TO LEGAL EXEMPTIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF CHARTER SCHOOLS, SO AS TO IMPOSE CERTAIN FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY MEASURES, TO IMPOSE CERTAIN ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENT STANDARDS AND TRANSPARENCY MEASURES, TO REVISE BYLAW REQUIREMENTS AND BOARD ETHICS REQUIREMENTS, AND TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL POWERS AND DUTIES CONCERNING OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-55, RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZERS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES, TO REVISE THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES, TO INCREASE CHARTER AUTHORIZER OVERSIGHT, TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN FINANCIAL CONFLICTS, TO INCREASE ENFORCEMENT POWERS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR AUTHORIZER REVOCATION AND SCHOOL TRANSFERS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-60, RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO REVISE CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS, TO INCREASE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES, TO CREATE RULES FOR VIRTUAL SCHOOLS, AND TO CREATE A STREAMLINED REPLICATION PROCESS FOR SUCCESSFUL CHARTER SCHOOLS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-65, RELATING TO VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS IN CHARTER SCHOOLS, SO AS TO PROVIDE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS AND IMPOSE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS ON VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-70, RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICANTS TO AUTHORIZERS, SO AS TO REVISE CHARTER APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES, TO IMPOSE CERTAIN REVIEW TIMELINES, TO REVISE EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS, TO PROVIDE CONDITIONAL APPROVALS, TO IMPOSE PLANNING-YEAR REQUIREMENTS, AND TO REVISE AUTHORIZER OVERSIGHT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-75, RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZER BOARD MEMBER ETHICS, CONDUCT, AND REMOVAL, SO AS TO INCLUDE AUTHORIZERS, TO REVISE THE GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL, TO REVISE THE MANNER OF FILLING VACANCIES, AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-90, RELATING TO APPEALS OF FINAL DECISIONS OF CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT APPEALS OF FINAL DECISIONS BY AUTHORIZERS MUST BE MADE TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-110, RELATING TO CHARTER DURATIONS, RENEWALS, AND CLOSURES, SO AS TO INCLUDE CERTAIN CHARTER SCHOOL PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS BY AUTHORIZERS AND RELATED GUIDANCE AND RESPONSE PROCEDURES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-111, RELATING TO ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION CAMPUSES, SO AS TO IMPOSE ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-115, RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL TRANSFERS AMONG AUTHORIZERS, SO AS TO IMPOSE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH TRANSFER PROCESSES AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN TRANSPARENCY MEASURES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-120, RELATING TO THE OWNERSHIP OF DISSOLVED CHARTER SCHOOL ASSETS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN ASSETS BECOME PROPERTY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA INSTEAD OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL'S AUTHORIZER; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-140, RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZER MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES AND TO AUTHORIZE CHARTER SCHOOLS TO CONTRACT WITH MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-150, RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL FORMATIONS AND OPERATIONS, SO AS TO IMPOSE REQUIREMENTS ON THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONCERNING CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATIONS, COMPLIANCE GUIDANCE, AND EVALUATIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-155, RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL TRUSTEE TRAINING AND REMOVALS, SO AS TO MAKE CERTAIN TRAINING PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZER BOARD MEMBERS, TO REVISE THE ORIENTATION PROGRAM FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS, AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-180, RELATING TO REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES, GRANDFATHER PROVISIONS, AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN EXISTING AUTHORIZERS FROM THE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND TO SUBJECT AUTHORIZERS TO FUNDING REDUCTIONS FOR WILFUL OR KNOWING VIOLATIONS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-230, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD, SO AS TO CORRECT AN OBSOLETE REFERENCE. - RATIFIED TITLE

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

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

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

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.

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

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

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-110, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND, SO AS TO REVISE DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-115, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES, SO AS PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING PRIORITY AND GENERAL APPLICATIONS, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXEMPTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR NONPUBLIC EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-120, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND, SO AS TO RECHARACTERIZE ITS CORPUS AND REVISE ITS USAGES, TO ESTABLISH A TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT FOR THE FUND AND TO PROVIDE THE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE, AND TO ESTABLISH SCHOLARSHIP ALLOCATION AMOUNTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-125, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIP FUND PAYMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ROLE OF THE TRUSTEE IN MAKING SUCH PAYMENTS, TO PROVIDE FOR TRUSTEE PAYMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE TERMS FOR A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRUSTEE'S DUTIES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-130, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY TERMINATION NOTICE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO RESTATE THE SECTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-135, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIP PARTICIPANT NUMBER LIMITATIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE LIMITATIONS, ENABLE INCREASES, AND REMOVE A PERIODIC PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND USE REVIEW REQUIREMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-140, RELATING TO EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDER PROGRAM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS, AND TO REMOVE CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-8-145, RELATING TO MISCELLANEOUS DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO REMOVE A PROVISION ALLOWING THE DEPARTMENT TO CONTRACT WITH QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS FOR RELATED ASSISTANCE; BY ADDING SECTION 59-8-147 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT SHALL POST CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM ON ITS INTERNET WEBSITE, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND TO PROVIDE A GRACE PERIOD FOR APPLICANTS TO CORRECT MINOR ERRORS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-150, RELATING TO EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO EXPAND EMPLOYEE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, TO REVISE EMPLOYEE SURETY BOND REQUIREMENTS, TO REVISE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS, AND TO REMOVE A PROVISION AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT TO PROMULGATE RELATED REGULATIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-160, RELATING TO THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND REVIEW PANEL, SO AS TO RESTATE THE SECTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-165, RELATING TO DISTRICT-LEVEL STUDENT TRANSFER POLICIES, SO AS TO REPLACE THE EXISTING LANGUAGE WITH PROVISIONS CONCERNING INTERDISTRICT TRANSFERS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-170, RELATING TO AN EXEMPTION FROM HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY RULES FOR INTERDISTRICT TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS, SO AS TO MAKE THE PROVISION APPLICABLE TO SCHOLARSHIP AND NONSCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS, AND TO PROVIDE SUBSEQUENT TRANSFERS ARE SUBJECT TO HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE ELIGIBILITY RULES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-150-350, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIPS DESIGNATED TO RECEIVE LOTTERY FUNDING, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND. - RATIFIED TITLE