Bill > S0416

This bill amends South Carolina school discipline laws to strengthen provisions related to student expulsion and suspension. The bill prohibits expelled students from entering school grounds or attending school functions, including riding school buses, with only limited exceptions for prearranged administrative conferences. For students who bring firearms to school, the bill mandates a minimum one-year expulsion, with potential modification by the district superintendent on a case-by-case basis. The bill also introduces a new provision for expelling students who deliver threats involving weapons, establishing specific criteria for such expulsions, such as the threat being directed at specific individuals, having a reasonable expectation of violence, and causing substantial school disruption. Importantly, the bill ensures that expelled students can still access educational services through alternative or virtual programming and requires school boards to refer such students to the local Department of Juvenile Justice. Additionally, the bill clarifies that school boards can transfer students to another school within the district, but must notify and seek input from the receiving school's principal. The changes aim to maintain school safety while providing due process and continued educational opportunities for students who have been disciplined.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0416&session=126&summary=B