Bill > H3583

This bill establishes a new minimum wage scale for public school support staff in South Carolina, requiring school districts to pay at least $10 per hour for first-year employees, with a 10% wage increase for each additional year of service. If the federal minimum wage exceeds $10 per hour, the minimum wage for support staff would be set at 40% above the federal minimum, still with the 10% annual increase. The State Department of Education is mandated to publish these salary schedules annually, or within 30 days of a federal minimum wage increase. Years of service in any South Carolina school district will count toward an employee's total service time for wage calculation purposes. The bill provides that any disputes or violations of this wage scale will be addressed under existing state labor law (Section 41-10-80). Importantly, these provisions will not take effect until July 1, 2026, giving school districts time to prepare for the new wage requirements. The bill aims to provide a standardized, incremental wage structure that recognizes support staff experience and ensures a base level of compensation across public schools in the state.

Budget and Finance

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3583&session=126&summary=B