Bill > H4677

This bill establishes the "School Crossing Guard Protection and Certification Act" to enhance the safety and legal status of school crossing guards in South Carolina. The legislation creates a comprehensive program administered by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) that requires standardized training, background checks, and certification for adult school crossing guards, including providing them with a distinctive uniform and identification badge. The bill introduces significant legal protections for crossing guards by making it a criminal offense to endanger or injure a certified crossing guard while they are performing official duties, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the severity of the incident. Specifically, endangering a crossing guard can result in fines between $500 and $2,000, mandatory driver's education, and four points added to the driver's license, while causing great bodily injury could lead to up to five years in prison and a one-year license suspension, and causing a crossing guard's death could result in up to fifteen years in prison and a two-year license revocation. The bill also includes aggravating factors that can increase penalties, such as distracted driving or speeding, and requires the Department of Public Safety to collect and publish annual data on incidents involving crossing guards. The new law will take effect on July 1, 2026, providing time for implementation of the new certification and enforcement mechanisms.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4677&session=126&summary=B