(A182, R196, H3006)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-785 SO AS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND CHARTER SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES MAY NOT USE DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES TO COLLECT OR ATTEMPT TO COLLECT OUTSTANDING DEBTS ON STUDENT SCHOOL LUNCH OR BREAKFAST ACCOUNTS, TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND CHARTER SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES MAY NOT ASSESS OR COLLECT ANY INTEREST, FEES, OR OTHER SUCH MONETARY PENALTIES FOR OUTSTANDING DEBTS FOR STUDENT SCHOOL LUNCH OR BREAKFAST ACCOUNTS, TO PROVIDE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS, AND TO MAKE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT APPLICABLE TO DEBTS ON STUDENT LUNCH AND BREAKFAST ACCOUNTS OUTSTANDING ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT AND INCURRED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

School meal debt collections, exceptions

SECTION     1.     Article 7, Chapter 63, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-63-785.     (A)     A public school or public school district, including a charter school or charter school governing body, may not:

(1)     use a debt collection agency to collect or attempt to collect, directly or indirectly, debts due or assessed to be owed for outstanding debts on a school lunch or breakfast account of a student; or

(2)     assess or collect any interest, fees, or other such monetary penalties for outstanding debts on student school lunch or breakfast accounts.

(B)     For purposes of this section, 'debt collection agency' means any person or entity that collects or attempts to collect, directly or indirectly, debts due or asserted to be owed or due another. 'Debt collection agency' does not include the South Carolina Department of Revenue or the programs they administer or a public school, public school district, charter school, or charter school governing body."

Applicability

SECTION     2.     The provisions of this act apply to debts on student lunch and breakfast accounts outstanding on the effective date of this act and incurred after the effective date of this act.

Time effective

SECTION     3.     This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 12th day of May, 2022.

Approved the 16th day of May, 2022.

This web page was last updated on June 10, 2022 at 4:03 PM