Education (School Choice)

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-110, RELATING TO EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE ELIGIBLE EXPENSES TO INCLUDE EDUCATION CLASSES DESIGNED TO SUPPLEMENT A STUDENT'S LEARNING PROGRAM PROVIDED BY AN ELIGIBLE SCHOOL AND TO FURTHER REMOVE ANY OTHER EDUCATION EXPENSES APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ENABLE PERSONALIZED LEARNING; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-115, RELATING TO THE STANDARD APPLICATION PROCESS, SO AS TO REQUIRE A PARENT TO CERTIFY THAT AN ELIGIBLE STUDENT IS NOT PARTICIPATING IN A HOME BASED PERSONALIZED LEARNING PROGRAM NOT SPECIFICALLY APPROVED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 59-65-10 AND TO DELETE A PROVISION ALLOWING A PARENT'S SIGNATURE TO SATISFY THE STATE'S COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 8-11-610, RELATING TO THE MANNER IN WHICH ANNUAL LEAVE IS COMPUTED, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A DEPARTMENT HEAD MAY NOT ESTABLISH RESTRICTED LEAVE PERIODS DURING WHICH EMPLOYEES ARE PROHIBITED FROM TAKING ANNUAL LEAVE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-47, RELATING TO UNUSED LEAVE PAYMENTS AUTHORIZED, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL MAY NOT ESTABLISH RESTRICTED LEAVE PERIODS DURING WHICH EMPLOYEES ARE PROHIBITED FROM TAKING ANNUAL LEAVE.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3830 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE A CHILD WHO ATTENDS A QUALIFYING PRIVATE SCHOOL, PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, OR HOME SCHOOL.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE AN OPEN ENROLLMENT OPTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS; BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-102 SO AS TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC SCHOOL MAY NOT CONTRACT WITH A PRIVATE ENTITY THAT SUPERVISES, SANCTIONS, OR REGULATES INTERSCHOLASTIC COMPETITIONS UNLESS THE ENTITY ALLOWS STUDENTS WHO ATTEND A SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF THEIR ATTENDANCE ZONE TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC COMPETITIONS, AND TO PROVIDE A LIMITED TRANSFER OPTION TO CERTAIN CURRENT STUDENTS; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 59-63-30 AND 59-63-32, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AND PENALTIES FOR PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION, AND SECTION 59-63-480, RELATING TO ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOLS IN ADJACENT COUNTIES, ALL SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 59-63-500 RELATING TO TRANSFER WITHOUT CONSENT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 42 TO CHAPTER 6, TITLE 12 SO AS TO ALLOW AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO A SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES GRANTS FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND CERTAIN INDEPENDENT AND HOME SCHOOLS, TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CREDIT IS CLAIMED, TO SPECIFY THE PROCESS BY WHICH CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS BECOME ELIGIBLE, TO SPECIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION WHICH MUST BE MADE PUBLIC, AND TO ALLOW THE STATE TREASURER AND DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THE CREDIT; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 12-6-3790 RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL CREDIT FOR EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS CHILDREN'S FUND.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-100, RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY HOME SCHOOL, CHARTER SCHOOL, AND GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL STUDENTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE PARTICIPATION IN COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, AND TO PROVIDE EQUAL TREATMENT FOR SUCH STUDENTS AND STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, AND TO DEFINE "CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION," "COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES," AND "EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES," AMONG OTHER THINGS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 10, TITLE 59 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE EVALUATORS TO EVALUATE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, OR THERAPEUTIC NEEDS, TO AUTHORIZE PRIVATE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE RELATED SERVICES AT SCHOOLS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, TO SPECIFY THESE EVALUATIONS AND SERVICES ONLY MAY OCCUR UPON REQUEST OF THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE STUDENT, TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY NOT PROHIBIT SUCH EVALUATIONS OR SERVICES IN SCHOOLS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL ADOPT A RELATED MODEL POLICY, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MODEL POLICY, TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL ADOPT RELATED POLICIES, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

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

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-100, RELATING TO PRIVATE SCHOOL AND CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOL INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES SO AS TO PROVIDE LIMITED SITUATIONS IN WHICH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ATTEND A PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOL MAY PARTICIPATE IN HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE SPORTS OFFERED AT PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-100, RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY HOME SCHOOL, CHARTER SCHOOL, AND GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL STUDENTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE PARTICIPATION IN COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, TO PROVIDE EQUAL TREATMENT FOR SUCH STUDENTS AND STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.