Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
AS PASSED BY THE SENATE
May 9, 2000
H. 3745
Introduced by Reps. Campsen, Altman, Barrett, Barfield, Cato, Cooper, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, Emory, Gilham, Govan, Hamilton, Harrison, Haskins, Inabinett, Kelley, Leach, Littlejohn, Loftis, McCraw, McMahand, J.H. Neal, Phillips, Pinckney, Sandifer, Sharpe, Simrill, J. Smith, Stille, Tripp, Vaughn, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Lourie and Knotts
S. Printed 5/9/00--S. [SEC 5/10/00 2:18 PM]
Read the first time June 1, 1999.
TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MARRIAGE, BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT ACT" TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET, AND TO PROVIDE TO WHOM THE PAMPHLET SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED; TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 53, RELATING TO THE CELEBRATION OF SPECIAL DAYS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A FAMILY RESPECT DAY AND TO PROVIDE THE DAY IS OBSERVED IN THE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS; TO AMEND SECTION 20-1-240, RELATING TO INFORMATION GIVEN TO MARRIAGE APPLICANTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET IS DISTRIBUTED TO APPLICANTS; TO AMEND SECTION 44-63-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFIED COPIES OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET IS INCLUDED WITH EACH CERTIFIED COPY OF THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 44-122-40, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF COUNTY FUNDED ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY PREVENTION INITIATIVES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET WITH ADOLESCENTS INVOLVED IN THE INITIATIVES.
Amend Title To Conform
Whereas, the General Assembly finds that the family is the fundamental building block of society; and
Whereas, the General Assembly finds that the State should promote strong families, for the family is the cradle of an ordered and vibrant republic; and
Whereas, the General Assembly finds that one way for the State to promote strong families is to publish and distribute a pamphlet which emphasizes the importance of families. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 20-1-700. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Family Respect Act'.
Section 20-1-710. The General Assembly finds that the family is the fundamental building block of society. Within healthy families children are instilled with values essential to the vitality of our State. These values include personal responsibility, honesty, duty, commitment to others, a work ethic, respect for authority, and sound educational habits. Because the family plays such a crucial role in developing these and other civic virtues essential to self-government, parents have a duty to themselves, their children, and society at large to instill these virtues in their children. Therefore, as much as it is able, the State should promote strong families, for the family is the cradle of an ordered and vibrant republic. Self-government depends upon civic virtue, and civic virtue in turn depends upon healthy families. The purpose of this act is to emphasize the importance of families to the success and well-being of our State.
Section 20-1-720. (A) The office of the Governor shall publish an informational pamphlet entitled 'South Carolina Family Respect' consistent with the intent and provisions of this act. The office of the Governor shall distribute the pamphlet to the agencies, offices, and entities listed in subsection (B). It is the duty of the government agencies, offices, and entities listed in subsection (B) to promote the ideals of this pamphlet and distribute it to their constituencies and clients.
(B) The informational pamphlet must be distributed to:
(1) all probate judges and clerks of court who issue marriage licenses who shall give it to each couple at the time they apply for the license;
(2) all family court judges who shall give it to all couples who file a petition for divorce or a petition for approval of a separation agreement;
(3) the Department of Social Services who shall give it to each person who applies for welfare benefits;
(4) the Department of Health and Environmental Control to be included and mailed out with each certified birth certificate issued, as provided in Section 44-63-80;
(5) all public school districts in the State that teach sex education programs. All public school districts must include a discussion of the pamphlet in its sex and family education curriculum;
(6) all state and local agencies and state and local institutions that provide health services including, but not limited to, family planning services and distribution of contraceptives, to be given to all pregnant minors, persons receiving birth control, and persons receiving information on family planning or sexually transmitted diseases;
(7) all local mental health centers to be distributed where appropriate in particular counseling situations;
(8) all county programs for adolescent pregnancy prevention initiatives, as provided in Section 44-122-40. Each initiative must include a discussion of the pamphlet with the adolescents it counsels;
(9) all public colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning to be distributed to all first year students during their orientation; and
(10) the pamphlet must be made available for voluntary distribution to:
(i) all clergy and counselors who provide marriage counseling;
(ii) all private high schools;
(iii) all private institutions of higher learning; and
(iv) the general public."
SECTION 2. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 53-3-45. The Friday immediately preceding Mother's Day of each year is designated 'Family Respect Day'."
SECTION 3. Section 20-1-240 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 20-1-240. All authorized offices, officials, or individuals empowered to issue a marriage license shall, at the time of issuance thereof application, provide to applicants for marriage licenses,:
(1) family planning information. This information shall be supplied to the issuing officials by the Department of Health and Environmental Control; and
(2) the 'South Carolina Family Respect' information pamphlet published and provided by the office of the Governor."
SECTION 4. Section 44-63-80 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 71 of 1997, is further amended to read:
"Section 44-63-80. Except as otherwise provided, certified copies of the original birth certificate or any new or amendatory certificate, exclusive of that portion containing confidential information, must be issued only by the state registrar and only to the registrant, if of legal age, his parent or guardian, or other legal representative, and upon request to the Department of Social Services or its designee for the purpose of establishing paternity or establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation. The registrar shall include a copy of the pamphlet 'South Carolina Family Respect', as provided in Section 20-1-720, when it mails or sends the certified copy of the birth certificate. However, the certified copy of the birth certificate may not disclose the name of the father in any illegitimate birth unless the name of the father is entered on the certificate pursuant to Section 44-63-163 or Section 44-63-165. The short form certificate or birth card may be furnished only to the registrant, his parent or guardian, or other legal representative by the state or county registrar.
When one hundred years have elapsed after the date of birth, these records must be made available in photographic or other suitable format for public viewing."
SECTION 5. Section 44-122-40(A) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 419 of 1998, is amended to read:
"(A) A local public or private agency or organization or combination of these agencies and organizations may apply to the county government for an allocation of funds to operate an adolescent pregnancy prevention initiative. All initiatives funded by the county government pursuant to this chapter shall emphasize premarital sexual abstinence and male responsibility. All initiatives funded by the county government pursuant to this chapter must distribute to and discuss the 'South Carolina Family Respect' information pamphlet, published and provided by the office of the Governor, with each adolescent involved in their project or program. All applications must meet the following minimum standards for consideration:
(1) Each initiative must have a plan of action for prevention of adolescent pregnancy that extends for at least five years. The proposal must include convincing evidence of a direct link between project activities and the reduction of adolescent pregnancy in the target population.
(2) Each initiative must have realistic, specific, and measurable goals, objectives, timelines, and budget for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.
(3) The proposal must include a description of the method for collecting and reporting the data required by the department to evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative, as specified in Section 44-122-60. Each initiative, before submitting its proposal, must send a representative to the evaluation standards workshop sponsored by the department."
SECTION 6. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-17-135. (A) The General Assembly finds:
(1) the schools of South Carolina must provide the safest environment possible for students to learn;
(2) teaching positive character traits is essential to improving the learning environment, promoting student achievement, reducing disciplinary problems, and developing civic-minded students;
(3) schools must be encouraged to instill the highest character and academic excellence in each student, in close cooperation with the student's parents; and
(4) elected officials, community and civic leaders, business leaders, religious institutions, youth organizations, government, media, and citizens-at-large must be encouraged to become actively involved in creating an atmosphere which encourages positive character development through every sector of the community.
(B) Each local school board of trustees of the State must develop a policy addressing character education. Any character education program implemented by a district as a result of an adopted policy must, to the extent possible, incorporate character traits including, but not limited to, the following: respect for others, honesty, self-control, cleanliness, courtesy, good manners, cooperation, citizenship, patriotism, courage, fairness, kindness, self-respect, compassion, tolerance, diligence, generosity, punctuality, cheerfulness, patience, sportsmanship, loyalty, and virtue. Local school boards must include all sectors of the community, as referenced in subsection (A)(4), in the development of a policy and in the development of any program implemented as a result of the policy. As part of any policy and program developed by the local school board, an evaluation component must be included.
(C) Upon request, the State Department of Education must provide to the school districts of the State information on currently available programs, curriculums, and resources. In addition, the State Department of Education must provide to the school districts of the State information on best practices and successful programs currently being implemented."
SECTION 7. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-63-75. (A) Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, each school district board of trustees is encouraged to require students in the public schools under the jurisdiction of the board to exhibit appropriate conduct, as required in subsection (B) of this section.
(B) When a public school student is speaking with a public school employee while on school property or at a school sponsored event, the student may be encouraged to address and respond to the public school employee by using respectful terms such as:
(1) 'yes, ma'am' and 'no, ma'am';
(2) 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir';
(3) 'yes, please';
(4) 'no, thank you';
(5) 'yes, Miss, Mrs., Ms., Dr., or Principal (surname)';
(6) 'no, Miss, Mrs., Ms., Dr., or Principal (surname)';
(7) 'yes, Mr., Dr., or Principal (surname)';
(8) 'no, Mr., Dr., or Principal (surname)'.
(C) Each school district board of trustees is encouraged to provide for incorporation of the requirements of this section into any existing discipline policy or policies or any code of conduct of the school district or of each school within its jurisdiction.
(D) No school board may provide suspension or expulsion from school as an appropriate punishment for violation of this section."
SECTION 8. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 53-3-150. (A) The week which includes the eleventh day of November in each year is designated as `Patriotism Week' in South Carolina. The Governor shall issue appropriate proclamations to commemorate `Patriotism Week' which must be observed throughout South Carolina with appropriate ceremonies and events to:
(1) recognize the important contributions made by our military veterans to American society;
(2) honor the supreme sacrifices made by our veterans in defending the freedoms and protections afforded by the United States Constitution; and
(3) memorialize those men and women who lost their lives in military service.
(B) The State Superintendent of Education shall encourage school districts to:
(1) observe `Patriotism Week' by holding appropriate ceremonies, events, and assemblies on school grounds; and
(2) develop appropriate curricula that focus on the purposes of `Patriotism Week'.
(C) Commissioners and directors of state agencies and governing bodies of political subdivisions shall encourage participation by public employees in ceremonies and events during `Patriotism Week'."
SECTION 9. Section 20-7-7810(F) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(F) Notwithstanding subsections (A) and (E), a child who is guilty of a violation of law or other misconduct which would not be a criminal offense if committed by an adult, a child who has been found in contempt of court for violation of a court order related to a violation of law or other misconduct which would not be a criminal offense if committed by an adult, or a child who violates the conditions of probation for a violation of law or other misconduct which would not be a criminal offense if committed by an adult may be committed to the custody of a correctional institution operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice or to a secure evaluation centers center operated by the department for a determinate period not to exceed ninety days; however, a when:
(1) the child has been adjudicated delinquent by a family court judge for a status offense, as defined in Section 20-7-6605, excluding truancy, and the order acknowledges that the child has been afforded all due process rights guaranteed to a child offender;
(2) the child is in contempt of court for violation of a court order issued as a result of the child's adjudication of delinquency for a status offense, as defined in Section 20-7-6605, including truancy; or
(3) the child is determined by the court to have violated the conditions of probation set forth by the court in an order issued as a result of the child's adjudication of delinquency for a status offense, as defined in Section 20-7-6605, including truancy.
Orders issued pursuant to this subsection must acknowledge:
(a) that the child has been advised of all due process rights afforded to a child offender; and
(b) that the court has received a report from the appropriate state or local agency or public entity that has reviewed the facts and circumstances causing the child to be before the court and made a recommendation as to disposition.
A child committed under this section may not be confined with a child who has been determined by the department to be violent."
SECTION 10. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 3:01 P.M.