The bill S. 77 aims to enhance public access to school board meetings in South Carolina by mandating that all public school governing bodies, including charter and special schools, provide livestream access to their meetings. The legislation requires these governing bodies to adopt and implement local policies that align with a model livestream meeting policy developed by the State Board of Education. This model policy will include guidelines for ensuring that meetings are visible and audible in real-time, as well as requirements for recording and posting meetings online if livestream access is not feasible. Additionally, the bill outlines penalties for noncompliance and allows for extensions for governing bodies with limited broadband access.

The bill stipulates that each governing body must adopt a local policy within three months of the State Board of Education's model policy adoption and must submit this policy for approval. The provisions of the act are set to be implemented by July 1, 2025, and the act will take effect upon the Governor's approval. Overall, the legislation seeks to promote transparency and public engagement in school governance through improved access to meetings.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 59-19-85
02/12/2025: 59-19-85
02/19/2025: 59-19-85
Latest Version: 59-19-85