The bill H. 5171 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 59-25-70, which mandates that all school districts establish uniform policies for the use of substitute teachers across various instructional settings, including general and special education classrooms. The legislation requires that when a teacher or instructional staff member responsible for special education is absent, districts must make reasonable efforts to provide a substitute teacher or qualified personnel in accordance with their established policies. Additionally, the bill prohibits any school district from having policies that exclude special education classrooms from receiving substitute teacher coverage.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that substitute teachers assigned to special education classrooms are not required to hold special education certification unless mandated by state or federal law. This legislation is set to take effect on August 1, 2026, ensuring that all students, including those in special education, have access to qualified instructional support during teacher absences.

Statutes affected:
02/11/2026: 59-25-70
Latest Version: 59-25-70