Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

As Passed By The Senate

May 10, 2023

H. 3728

Introduced by Reps. Felder, A. M. Morgan, Leber, Magnuson, Haddon, Harris, Taylor, S. Jones, Landing, McCravy, Lowe, Jordan, Bradley, Herbkersman, Bannister, W. Newton, Elliott, B. J. Cox, Willis, Hewitt, West, Long, Burns and T. A. Morgan

S. Printed 05/10/23--S.                                                                          [SEC 5/11/2023 2:38 PM]

Read the first time February 09, 2023

________

A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by enacting the "South Carolina Transparency and Integrity in Education Act"; BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 29, TITLE 59 SO AS TO EXPRESS RELATED INTENTIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, TO PROVIDE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS, TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN CONCEPTS FROM BEING INCLUDED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL INSTRUCTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TO PROVIDE MEANS FOR ADDRESSING VIOLATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC REVIEW OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS; and by amending Section 59-28-180, relating to PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS IN THE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION ACT, so as to PROVIDE PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN REGARDING MORALS, ETHICS, AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, AND TO PROVIDE A PARENTAL PLEDGE OF EXPECTATIONS MUST BE PROVIDED TO PARENTS AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT PROCESS.

    Amend Title To Conform

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

SECTION 1.  This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Transparency and Integrity in Education Act".

SECTION 2.  Chapter 29, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Article 5

    Academic Transparency and Integrity

    Section 59-29-610. For purposes of this article:

    (1)   "LEA" means a local education agency, to include the sponsor of a public charter school pursuant to Section 59-40-40, and the:

       (a)   Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities;

       (b)   Governor's School for Agriculture at John de la Howe;

       (c)   Special School of Science and Mathematics, also referred to as the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics;

       (d)   Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School; and

       (e)   South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind.

    (2)   "Parent" means the biological parent, adoptive parent, stepparent, person with legal custody or other person with legal authority to act on behalf of a student, excluding an individual whose parental relationship to the child has been legally terminated.

    Section 59-29-620. (A)  The following prohibited concepts may not be included or promoted in a course of instruction, curriculum, assignment, instructional program, instructional material (including primary or supplemental materials, whether in print, digital, or online), surveys or questionnaires,  presentations, performances, school policies and protocols or professional educator development or training, nor may a student, employee, or volunteer be compelled to affirm, accept, adopt, or adhere to such prohibited concepts:

       (1)   members of one race, sex, ethnicity, color, or national origin are inherently superior to me