Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:3687 Primary Sponsor:Fair Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Philosophies, certain prohibited in public schools Residing Body:House Date Tabled:Apr 07, 1992 Computer Document Number:DKA/3179.AL Introduced Date:Mar 14, 1991 Last History Body:House Last History Date:Apr 07, 1992 Last History Type:Tabled Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Fair Wright Corbett Keegan R. Young Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN
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3687 House Apr 07, 1992 Tabled
3687 House Mar 18, 1992 Objection withdrawn by
Representative
3687 House Mar 05, 1992 Objection by Representative
3687 House Mar 05, 1992 Objection withdrawn by
Representative
3687 House Feb 19, 1992 Objection by Representative
3687 House Feb 12, 1992 Objection withdrawn by
Representative
3687 House Jan 22, 1992 Objection by Representative
3687 House Jan 14, 1992 Debate adjourned until
Wednesday, January 22, 1992
3687 House May 30, 1991 Debate adjourned until
Tuesday, January 14, 1992
3687 House May 22, 1991 Committee Report: Favorable 21
with amendment
3687 House Mar 14, 1991 Introduced, read first time, 21
referred to Committee
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COMMITTEE REPORT
May 22, 1991
H. 3687
Introduced by REPS. Fair, Wright, Corbett, Keegan and R. Young
S. Printed 5/22/91--H.
Read the first time March 14, 1991.
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3687), to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 59-29-240 so as to prohibit the use of new age religious, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking Section 59-29-240 of the 1976 Code, as contained in Section 1, and inserting:
/Section 59-29-240. (A) It is unlawful to teach religious "New Age" practices or tenets in the public schools. These practices include but are not limited to:
(1) Progressive Relaxation;
(2) Meditation;
(3) Visualization;
(4) Moral Relativism; and
(5) Guided Imagery.
(B) In developing and emphasizing higher order thinking and problem solving skills as required by law, the State Department of Education and the school districts must employ verbalization techniques as opposed to visualization in the teaching of critical thinking, shall encourage conscious critical thinking skills, and may not become involved in consciousness alteration or any attempt to influence the subsconscious mind of students through direct or indirect methods.
(C) The following definitions apply for purposes of this section:
(1) "Progressive Relaxation" involves the serial relaxation of the major muscles of the body. Such relaxation may be brought about by conscious intent through directions by a narrator and may also involve a process of first tensing then relaxing major muscle groups in a prescribed order. This activity may be accompanied by music which is selected to be soothing or restful.
(2) "Meditation" is any activity which involves repeated exposure to any sensory stimuli, including words or sounds, for the purpose of inducing a relaxed or altered mental state.
(3) "Visualization" is a technique of creating an image in one's mind and using that image in an effort to create or control reality through mind-powers.
(4) "Moral Relativism" involves the idea that morals are relative to a situation and that nothing is absolutely right or wrong.
(5) "Guided Imagery" involves the use of images communicated to the listener by narration while the listener is in a deeply relaxed state, hypnotic state, or altered state of consciousness./
Amend title to conform.
OLIN R. PHILLIPS, for Committee.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-29-240 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF NEW AGE RELIGIOUS AND OCCULT PHILOSOPHIES AND METHODS OF INSTRUCTION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.
Whereas, the utilization of mind-altering techniques for public school students is highly objectionable; and
Whereas, the teaching of or counseling by certain psychological techniques in the State's public schools should be eliminated entirely; and
Whereas, these psychological methodologies can involve such techniques as transcendental meditation, altered states of consciousness, or the occult. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-29-240. It is unlawful to teach or counsel by certain mind-altering psychological, occultic or `New Age' techniques in public school curricula or teacher training programs. These mind-altering techniques include, but are not limited to `guided imagery', visualization, progressive relaxation, moral relativism, transcendental meditation, altered states of consciousness, `deep processing', the use of spirit guides, channeling, psychic `mind experiments', clairvoyance, `out-of-body experiences', chanting, astral projection or astral travel, telekenesis or parakenesis, yoga, para-psychology, astrological forecasting, mental telepathy, divination practices, psychic precognitive activities, `cross-sensing', and other practices that are derived from Eastern mysticism origin or the occult.
A public school employee who violates the provisions of this section is subject to disciplinary procedure up to and including dismissal."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.