Bill > S0104

This bill amends South Carolina's library funding laws by establishing a new method for allocating state aid to county libraries and introducing content restrictions. Under the proposed legislation, state library funding would be distributed on a per capita basis using the most recent U.S. Census data, with a guaranteed minimum allocation of $150,000 per county, contingent on General Assembly funding. To receive these funds, counties must maintain their local library funding at the same level as the second preceding year. Critically, the bill requires county libraries to certify quarterly that they do not offer books or materials in children's, youth, or teen sections that might be considered sexually inappropriate (described as "appealing to prurient interests") for individuals under seventeen, and such materials would only be available with explicit parental consent. The State Library must confirm this recertification before disbursing funds, effectively creating a content compliance mechanism tied to state financial support. The act would take effect immediately upon the Governor's approval, potentially giving the state a new tool to influence library content through financial incentives.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=104&session=126&summary=B