The bill H. 3758 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by updating Section 59-1-435, known as the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act. It mandates that school districts adopt and implement policies regarding limited public forums and voluntary student expression of religious viewpoints before the 2026-2027 school year. The bill specifies that students' voluntary expressions of religious viewpoints must be treated equally to secular viewpoints, ensuring no discrimination occurs based on the religious content of their expressions. Additionally, it outlines the establishment of a limited public forum for student speakers at school events, requiring schools to provide a method for selecting speakers based on neutral criteria and to include disclaimers that clarify the district's non-endorsement of student speech.

Furthermore, the bill allows students to express their religious beliefs in various assignments and to organize religious gatherings on school premises, ensuring they receive the same access as noncurricular groups. The legislation emphasizes that students should not be penalized or rewarded based on the religious content of their work and that school districts must adopt a local policy regarding these expressions. The model policy provided in the bill serves as a guideline for compliance, reinforcing the equal treatment of religious and non-religious viewpoints in educational settings.

Statutes affected:
01/15/2025: 59-1-435
04/24/2025: 59-1-435
04/30/2025: 59-1-435
Latest Version: 59-1-435