The bill H. 3260 amends Section 59-1-460 of the South Carolina Code of Laws to mandate that school districts adopt policies allowing students to be excused from school for religious instruction. The new provisions require that students can be excused if their parent or guardian provides written consent, the sponsoring entity maintains attendance records, and transportation is the responsibility of the sponsoring entity or the student's family. Additionally, the bill allows for the use of public funds to cover de minimis administrative costs related to this policy, while ensuring that no public funds are used for the religious instruction itself.

Furthermore, the bill revises the existing prohibition on releasing students from core subject classes. It now specifies that students may not be released from core academic instruction in English, math, and science for religious instruction, rather than a broader category of core subjects. The bill emphasizes that students attending religious instruction classes under this policy will not be considered absent from school, and it places the responsibility on students to make up any missed schoolwork. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 59-1-460
Latest Version: 59-1-460
12/06/2024: 59-1-460