Rep. Heather Bauer

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "ACT TO ESTABLISH PAY EQUITY" BY ADDING CHAPTER 12 TO TITLE 41 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO EMPLOYER MAY PAY WAGES TO EMPLOYEES AT RATES LESS THAN THE RATES PAID TO EMPLOYEES OF OTHER RACES, RELIGIONS, COLORS, SEXES, INCLUDING GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AGES, NATIONAL ORIGINS, OR DISABILITY STATUSES FOR COMPARABLE WORK, TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES RELATING TO REQUESTS FOR THE DISCLOSURE OF WAGES ARE UNLAWFUL, TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS, TO PROVIDE CIVIL ACTIONS ASSERTING VIOLATIONS MAY BE MAINTAINED AGAINST EMPLOYERS IN COURTS OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, TO PROVIDE FOR THE RECOVERY OF UNPAID WAGES AND DAMAGES, TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR EMPLOYERS WHO VIOLATE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, TO ESTABLISH PAY EQUITY, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE VIOLATIONS AND TO BRING CERTAIN ACTIONS, TO PROVIDE EMPLOYERS SHALL POST CERTAIN INFORMATION IN CONSPICUOUS PLACES, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CHARLES APPLEBY FOR EIGHT YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TO BID HIM FAREWELL AS HE DEPARTS OUR HALLS, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-485 SO AS TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE WORKFORCE READINESS GOAL; BY ADDING SECTION 59-29-245 SO AS TO PROVIDE REMEDIATION IN COURSES IN LITERACY AND MATHEMATICS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SEEKING POST-SECONDARY STUDIES BUT LACKING REQUISITE ACADEMIC PREPARATION, TO PROVIDE THIS COURSEWORK MAY BE USED TO MEET HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND THE STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM; BY ADDING SECTION 59-39-105 SO AS TO PROVIDE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SHALL COMPLETE AND SUBMIT A FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID BEFORE GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL, TO PROVIDE EXEMPTIONS, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROVISIONS, AND TO MAKE THESE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE BEGINNING WITH THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-35, RELATING TO EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM EVALUATIONS AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATOR PREPARATION REPORT CARD, SO AS TO TRANSFER PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONDUCTING THESE EVALUATIONS AND PRODUCING THIS REPORT CARD TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-59-210, RELATING TO DUAL ENROLLMENT ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE A UNIFORM SYSTEM OF DUAL ENROLLMENT COLLEGE COURSES OFFERED TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BY INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THIS STATE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES FOR THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER OF COURSEWORK EARNED AT TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN THIS STATE TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THIS STATE; BY ADDING SECTION 41-1-140 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE SHALL MAINTAIN AND PROVIDE FREE ONLINE ACCESS TO INFORMATION REGARDING THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF COLLEGE MAJORS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; AND BY INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF WORKING-AGED ADULTS WITH POSTSECONDARY DEGREES OR INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS BY FACILITATING THE TRANSFER OF CERTAIN ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO THE STATE BOARD FOR TECHNICAL AND COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION AND MAXIMIZING USE OF CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTERS TO IMPROVE AND UPDATE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR TONY TAYLOR, CHIEF OF THE WILLIAMSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN THREE AND A HALF DECADES OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM A HAPPY SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE DORMAN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2022 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE NORTH AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND COMMEND DORMAN HIGH SCHOOL TRACK TEAM COACHES TARIQ CAUDLE AND JEFFREY JOHNS FOR THEIR HEROIC EFFORTS THAT SAVED THE LIFE OF ONE OF THEIR STUDENT-ATHLETES.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND MIDDLE SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM, COACH, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON WINNING THE 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE VEX IQ COMPETITION AT THE ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND EMMA DEAN, FORMER CHIEF COUNSEL TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FOR HER THIRTEEN YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE COMMITTEE AND HER DEDICATION TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT AS SHE TAKES UP NEW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF KEVIN ALEXANDER GRAY OF RICHLAND COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.