Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 50-9-920, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF REVENUES GENERATED FROM THE SALE OF PRIVILEGES TO HUNT AND FISH BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, SO AS TO REVISE THE DISTRIBUTION OF REVENUE GENERATED FROM THE SALE OF RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL MARINE LICENSES, PERMITS, AND TAGS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-363 SO AS TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO PRESCRIBING OPIOID ANALGESICS TO MINORS. - ratified title

A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 9 TO CHAPTER 7, TITLE 1 SO AS TO CREATE THE UTILITIES CONSUMER ADVOCATE IN THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UTILITIES CONSUMER ADVOCATE, AMONG OTHER THINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 58-4-10, RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF AND ITS MISSION, SO AS TO REMOVE THE PRESERVATION OF THE FINANCIAL INTEGRITY OF THE STATE'S PUBLIC UTILITIES, CONTINUED INVESTMENT, AND MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES FROM THE MISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 58-4-50, RELATING TO REGULATORY STAFF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, SO AS TO ADD THAT THE OFFICE SHALL PROVIDE RESEARCH, EXPERTISE, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO THE UTILITIES CONSUMER ADVOCATE AND MAKE OTHER CONFORMING CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 58-4-55, RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF'S ABILITY TO REQUEST CERTAIN INFORMATION, SO AS TO ADD THAT THE OFFICE SHALL HAVE SUBPOENA POWERS AND THAT THE UTILITIES CONSUMER ADVOCATE MAY REQUEST THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ISSUE SUBPOENAS ON HIS BEHALF, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE REQUESTED INFORMATION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 58-4-80, RELATING TO INTERVENTION IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ON APPEAL THE OFFICE DOES NOT REPRESENT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA PREGNANCY ACCOMMODATIONS ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 1-13-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA HUMAN AFFAIRS LAW, SO AS TO REVISE THE TERMS "BECAUSE OF SEX" OR "ON THE BASIS OF SEX" USED IN THE CONTEXT OF EQUAL TREATMENT FOR WOMEN AFFECTED BY PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH, OR RELATED MEDICAL CONDITIONS, AND TO REVISE THE TERM "REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION" PERTAINING TO WHAT THIS TERM MAY INCLUDE; TO AMEND SECTION 1-13-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES OF AN EMPLOYER, SO AS TO ADD CERTAIN OTHER UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES IN REGARD TO AN APPLICANT FOR EMPLOYMENT OR AN EMPLOYEE WITH LIMITATIONS BECAUSE OF PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH, OR RELATED MEDICAL CONDITIONS, TO PROVIDE FOR NOTICE AND APPLICABILITY TO NEW AND CURRENT EMPLOYEES TO WHOM SPECIFIC PROVISIONS APPLY, AND TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS BY THE HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION WITH STATED LIMITATIONS MAY PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS ACT. - ratified title

A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 61-4-550, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SPECIAL PERMITS FOR USE AT FAIRS AND SPECIAL FUNCTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE MAY ISSUE PERMITS TO SELL BEER AND WINE AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ON MULTIPLE DAYS AT A FESTIVAL ON ONE APPLICATION, AND TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR "FESTIVAL"; AND TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-2000, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TEMPORARY PERMITS FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE MAY ISSUE LICENSES TO SELL ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR BY THE DRINK AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ON MULTIPLE DAYS AT A FESTIVAL ON ONE APPLICATION, AND TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION OF "FESTIVAL".

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 33, TITLE 59 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR A STATEWIDE MULTI-TIERED SUPPORT SYSTEM SCHOOLING MODEL WHICH MUST INCLUDE A UNIVERSAL SCREENING PROCESS TO IDENTIFY WHO MAY BE AT RISK OF EXPERIENCING ACADEMIC DIFFICULTIES AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIFFICULTIES; TO PROVIDE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL USE THE UNIVERSAL SCREENING PROCESS FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS BEGINNING WITH THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR, SUBJECT TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY FUNDING; TO PROVIDE SCREENING MAY BE REQUESTED BY PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CERTAIN SCHOOL PERSONNEL; TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL CONVENE SCHOOL-BASED TEAMS TO ANALYZE DATA FROM SCREENINGS TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTION AND INTERVENTIONS FOR ALL STUDENTS AT RISK OF EXPERIENCING ACADEMIC DIFFICULTIES; TO REQUIRE DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE PARENTS OF SUCH AT-RISK STUDENTS WITH NOTICE OF SCREENING FINDINGS AND RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION; TO REQUIRE DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE AT-RISK STUDENTS WITH CERTAIN INTERVENTIONS AND TO MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE INTERVENTIONS AND STUDENT PROGRESS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE EDUCATORS WITH CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND RESOURCES CONCERNING THE STATEWIDE MULTI-TIERED SUPPORT SYSTEM AND RELATED IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION METHODS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP AND REPORT FINDINGS CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATEWIDE MULTI-TIERED SUPPORT SYSTEM; TO CREATE THE LEARNING DISORDERS TASK FORCE TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT IN MATTERS RELATING TO READING DISORDERS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION AND MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS OF THE TASK FORCE, AMONG OTHER THINGS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-11-262 SO AS TO PROVIDE APPLICANTS FOR GENERAL CONTRACTOR LICENSURE OR MECHANICAL CONTRACT LICENSURE WHO ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN FINANCIAL STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS MAY PROVIDE CERTAIN SURETY BONDS IN LIEU OF PROVIDING THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THESE SURETY BONDS, AND TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR FILING CLAIMS AGAINST THESE SURETY BONDS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 33, TITLE 59 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR A STATEWIDE MULTI-TIERED SUPPORT SYSTEM SCHOOLING MODEL WHICH MUST INCLUDE A UNIVERSAL SCREENING PROCESS TO IDENTIFY WHO MAY BE AT RISK OF EXPERIENCING ACADEMIC DIFFICULTIES AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIFFICULTIES; TO PROVIDE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL USE THE UNIVERSAL SCREENING PROCESS FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS BEGINNING WITH THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR, SUBJECT TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY FUNDING; TO PROVIDE SCREENING MAY BE REQUESTED BY PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CERTAIN SCHOOL PERSONNEL; TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL CONVENE SCHOOL-BASED TEAMS TO ANALYZE DATA FROM SCREENINGS TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTION AND INTERVENTIONS FOR ALL STUDENTS AT RISK OF EXPERIENCING ACADEMIC DIFFICULTIES; TO REQUIRE DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE PARENTS OF SUCH AT-RISK STUDENTS WITH NOTICE OF SCREENING FINDINGS AND RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION; TO REQUIRE DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE AT-RISK STUDENTS WITH CERTAIN INTERVENTIONS AND TO MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE INTERVENTIONS AND STUDENT PROGRESS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE EDUCATORS WITH CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND RESOURCES CONCERNING THE STATEWIDE MULTI-TIERED SUPPORT SYSTEM AND RELATED IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION METHODS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP AND REPORT FINDINGS CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATEWIDE MULTI-TIERED SUPPORT SYSTEM; TO CREATE THE LEARNING DISORDERS TASK FORCE TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT IN MATTERS RELATING TO READING DISORDERS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION AND MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS OF THE TASK FORCE, AMONG OTHER THINGS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-11-262 SO AS TO PROVIDE APPLICANTS FOR GENERAL CONTRACTOR LICENSURE OR MECHANICAL CONTRACT LICENSURE WHO ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN FINANCIAL STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS MAY PROVIDE CERTAIN SURETY BONDS IN LIEU OF PROVIDING THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THESE SURETY BONDS, AND TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR FILING CLAIMS AGAINST THESE SURETY BONDS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-120, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO A PERMIT ISSUED FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR IN PROXIMITY TO A CHURCH, SCHOOL, OR PLAYGROUND, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A LICENSE MAY BE ISSUED IF THE DECISION-MAKING BODY OF THE CHURCH, SCHOOL, OR PLAYGROUND AFFIRMATIVELY STATES THAT IT DOES NOT OBJECT TO THE ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE AND TO ALLOW THE DECISION-MAKING BODY OF A SCHOOL TO WITHDRAW ITS STATEMENT DURING THE RENEWAL PERIOD FOR THE LICENSE. - ratified title