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Bill 785

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                      785
Type of Legislation:              General Bill GB
Introducing Body:                 Senate
Introduced Date:                  19990504
Primary Sponsor:                  Fair
All Sponsors:                     Fair, Thomas, Peeler, Giese, Matthews, 
                                  Mescher, Drummond and Hayes
Drafted Document Number:          l:\council\bills\pt\1509std99.doc
Residing Body:                    Senate
Current Committee:                Education Committee 04 SED
Subject:                          School districts, volunteer chaplains; 
                                  School Safety Act of 1999


                        History

Body    Date      Action Description                     Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  ______________________________________ _______ ____________
Senate  19990504  Introduced, read first time,           04 SED
                  referred to Committee


                             Versions of This Bill

TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL SAFETY ACT OF 1999" INCLUDING PROVISIONS TO AMEND THE 1976 CODE BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-95 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THIS STATE MAY ACCEPT AND NAME SCHOOL DISTRICT VOLUNTEER CHAPLAINS FOR EVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT, TO PROVIDE THAT PARTICIPATION BY STUDENTS WITH THESE CHAPLAINS OR DURING A CHAPEL PERIOD THE CHAPLAIN CONDUCTS IS VOLUNTARY ON THE PART OF THE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, AND TO PROVIDE THE PROCEDURES TO IMPLEMENT THE ABOVE PROVISIONS.

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

SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as the "South Carolina School Safety Act of 1999".

SECTION 2. (A) The General Assembly acknowledges the unique environment of the school setting and recognizes that extraordinary measures must be taken to ensure students are safe and the environment is one in which teaching and learning can be promoted.

(B) The General Assembly also finds that this act is consistent with the "Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment, which says in full, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The General Assembly further finds that it would be consistent with this provision if schools allow chaplains to speak at least once a week for a period of not less than one-half hour and to perform other duties, as the principal deems necessary.

(C) To this end the General Assembly hereby approves the policy of accepting and naming school district volunteer chaplains for every middle school and high school in the State.

SECTION 3. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-17-95. (1) Each school district of this State may name a volunteer chaplain for every middle school and high school in the district.

(2) The position of chaplain shall only be filled with the initial approval of the local school district's board of trustees. However, the selection of the individual chaplain or chaplains, if more than one is needed to accommodate diverse religions and a child's religious orientation, shall be done by the principal in concert with that school's PTA, PTSA, or other parent and teacher organizations that perform the function of the PTA.

(3) Participation by a student in the chaplain's activities is predicated on the written permission from their parents or legal guardians.

(4) During chapel period, students whose parents have opted out shall be given a suitable and beneficial alternative activity as determined by the principal."

SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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