The bill S. 430 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 59-63-285, which establishes guidelines for the suspension of students in publicly funded preschools. It defines key terms such as "challenging behavior" and "publicly funded preschool," and stipulates that students enrolled in 3K or 4K programs cannot receive out-of-school suspensions unless there is a serious safety threat that has not been mitigated despite the use of available interventions. In-school suspensions are also restricted, requiring that services and interventions be attempted first. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining student enrollment and participation, mandating that schools exhaust all reasonable interventions before considering suspension or expulsion.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the State Department of Education in providing professional development and resources for educators working with preschoolers exhibiting challenging behaviors. It requires the collection of data on suspensions and expulsions in publicly funded preschools, which must be reported annually to relevant legislative committees. The bill also encourages collaboration between different preschool programs to enhance training and support for educators. Overall, S. 430 seeks to create a more supportive and structured approach to managing challenging behaviors in early childhood education settings.

Statutes affected:
03/06/2025: 59-63-285
Latest Version: 59-63-285