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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 154 TO TITLE 59 SO AS TO REQUIRE ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNET USE POLICIES FOR SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 59-154-10. (A) Every year each district superintendent shall file with the Superintendent of Education an acceptable use policy, approved by the district school board, for the international network of computer systems commonly known as the Internet. At a minimum, the policy must contain provisions:
(1) designed to prohibit district employees and students from using the district's computer equipment or network to send, receive, view, or download information or material that violates Article 3 of Chapter 15 of Title 16;
(2) intended to restrict access to material that violates Article 3 of Chapter 15 of Title 16 by equipping all Internet accessible computers with Internet-filtering technology designed to eliminate or significantly reduce the ability of the computer to access Internet sites displaying pornographic images or any other obscene material that violates Article 3 of Chapter 15 of Title 16, but distinguishing such material from permissible medical and scientific research Internet sites;
(3) establish appropriate disciplinary measures for people who violate the policy;
(4) integrate into the district's curriculum a component on Internet safety for students.
The policy may include other terms, conditions, and requirements considered appropriate, such as requiring written parental authorization for Internet use by juveniles or differentiating acceptable uses among elementary, middle, and high school students.
(B) The superintendent shall take such steps as he considers appropriate to implement and enforce the district's policy.
(C) On or before December 1, 2007, and annually thereafter, the Superintendent of Education shall submit a report to the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Public Works, and the Senate Committee on Education that summarizes the acceptable use policies filed with the Superintendent of Education pursuant to this section.
(D) The Superintendent of Education shall issue guidelines to school districts regarding instructional programs related to Internet safety.
(E) The provisions of this section do not supplant but are in addition to the provisions of Section 10-1-205 or Section 10-1-206."
SECTION 2. Within forty-five days of the enactment of this act, the Superintendent of Education shall issue a memorandum to all district superintendents advising them of the provisions of this act.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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