Education

in committee · South Carolina · House Feb 5, 2025

H 3166: Special needs student school bus attendants

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-67-520, RELATING TO THE TRANSPORTATION OF HANDICAPPED SCHOOL-AGE PERSONS ON PUBLIC SCHOOL BUSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS THAT TRANSPORTS ONE OR MORE CERTAIN HANDICAPPED PERSONS MUST HAVE AN ADULT ATTENDANT TO ACCOMPANY THE PERSON OR PERSONS ON THE BUS WHILE BEING TRANSPORTED, TO PROVIDE THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER MAY NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY SERVE AS AN ATTENDANT, AND TO PROVIDE BUSES MAY HAVE MULTIPLE ATTENDANTS BUT ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO HAVE ONE ATTENDANT.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires adult attendants for special needs students on school buses, enhancing safety and access during transportation, directly supporting student educational access and safety.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates adult attendants for special needs school bus transport, enhancing safety protocols within school transportation systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education Public Transit

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in committee · South Carolina · House Jan 14, 2025

H 3349: Student Loan Forgiveness

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO URGE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO FORGIVE THE STUDENT LOAN DEBT OF ALL REGISTERED NURSES AND DOCTORS.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directly addresses student loan debt relief for higher education graduates (nurses/doctors), reducing financial barriers and supporting educational access in higher education.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareForgiving student loans for nurses/doctors directly supports healthcare workforce stability and access, aligning with improving patient access and workforce availability in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · South Carolina · House Jan 14, 2025

H 3297: Charter Schools

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-40-250 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL PER PUPIL FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS WITH A CERTAIN POVERTY INDEX OR LOCATED IN A CERTAIN COUNTY.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates additional per-pupil funding for charter schools, increasing state spending on education through budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides additional per-pupil funding for charter schools in high-poverty areas or specific counties, directly increasing educational funding for targeted schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · South Carolina · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3207: Teacher certification renewals

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-25-112 SO AS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ARE PERMANENT UNLESS REVOKED OR SUSPENDED AND ARE NOT SUBJECT TO RENEWAL, AND TO PROVIDE NO TEACHER MAY BE REQUIRED TO RENEW A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE BOARD, AND TO MAKE THESE PROVISIONS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves mandatory teacher certification renewals, reducing administrative burden on educators per bill's explicit language.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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signed · South Carolina · Senate Jun 5, 2025

S 389: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO LIFE SCHOLARSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP ENHANCEMENT, DESIGNATED AS

This bill (S 389) is a procedural joint resolution formally approving the State Commission on Higher Education’s Regulation Document 5321, which governs the LIFE Scholarship and Scholarship Enhancement programs. It directly affects South Carolina students receiving these state-funded scholarships by confirming the Commission’s established rules for eligibility, administration, and awarding. The resolution does not create new policies but authorizes the Commission’s existing regulations to take effect under state law. It was signed by the governor on April 28, 2025, and became effective the same day.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationApproves existing scholarship regulations, maintaining state funding for higher education access without changes to current support structure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

in committee · South Carolina · House Feb 19, 2025

H 3582: Forming Open and Robust Minds (FORUM) Act

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "FORMING OPEN AND ROBUST UNIVERSITY MINDS (FORUM) ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 148 TO TITLE 59 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, TO PROVIDE MEASURES TO PROTECT EXPRESSIONS BY STUDENTS AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS IN CERTAIN PLACES ON THE CAMPUSES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, AND TO PROVIDE MEANS OF REDRESS FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student expression on university campuses, advancing academic freedom and free speech in higher education, aligning with educational access and open discourse principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · South Carolina · Senate Mar 6, 2025

S 421: Participation in school activities and programs

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-100, RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY HOME SCHOOL, CHARTER SCHOOL, AND GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL STUDENTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE PARTICIPATION IN COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, AND TO PROVIDE EQUAL TREATMENT FOR SUCH STUDENTS AND STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, AND TO DEFINE "CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION," "COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES," AND "EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES," AMONG OTHER THINGS.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by mandating equal participation in school activities for homeschool/charter students, enhancing inclusion in co-curricular and career programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · South Carolina · Senate Mar 6, 2025

S 429: Private Providers

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 10, TITLE 59 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE EVALUATORS TO EVALUATE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, OR THERAPEUTIC NEEDS, TO AUTHORIZE PRIVATE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE RELATED SERVICES AT SCHOOLS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, TO SPECIFY THESE EVALUATIONS AND SERVICES ONLY MAY OCCUR UPON REQUEST OF THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE STUDENT, TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY NOT PROHIBIT SUCH EVALUATIONS OR SERVICES IN SCHOOLS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL ADOPT A RELATED MODEL POLICY, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MODEL POLICY, TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL ADOPT RELATED POLICIES, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows private providers to offer health/therapeutic services in schools with parental consent, expanding student support access without restricting educational policies.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes private providers to deliver health/behavioral health services in schools with parental consent, expanding access to student healthcare services without restricting existing options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Health

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signed · South Carolina · Senate May 16, 2025

S 425: School meals for students in poverty

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-795 SO AS TO PROVIDE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNUALLY SHALL IDENTIFY THE NUMBER OF ITS STUDENTS WHO LIVE IN POVERTY AND INCREASE ACCESS TO FREE SCHOOL BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES FOR THESE STUDENTS, TO PROVIDE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SCHOOLS, AND SCHOOL BOARDS, AND TO PROVIDE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE SUSPENDED IF CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDING IS SUSPENDED OR DISCONTINUED. - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates increased access to free school meals for students in poverty, expanding educational access and supporting vulnerable students' ability to learn.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

in committee · South Carolina · House Apr 30, 2025

H 4304: Passing a School Bus

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-2790 SO AS TO MAKE VEHICLE OWNERS OR OPERATORS LIABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR UNLAWFULLY OVERTAKING AND PASSING SCHOOL BUSES; BY ADDING SECTION 59-67-235 SO AS TO REQUIRE OPERATORS OF SCHOOL BUSES TO NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WHEN VEHICLES DO NOT STOP WHEN THE DRIVERS HAVE AMBER SIGNALS ACTUATED; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-1335, RELATING TO SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS FOR FAILURE TO PAY TOLLS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES SHALL SUSPEND VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS FOR OUTSTANDING JUDGMENTS FOR PASSING SCHOOL BUSES.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enforces school bus safety protocols to protect student transportation, directly advancing student safety within K-12 education infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens school bus safety regulations by imposing liability for illegal passing and requiring notifications of non-compliance with stop signals, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Public Transit

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