summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
Crossed Over
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Enacting The "south Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act" By Adding Article 5 To Chapter 23, Title 59 So As To Provide Various Measures To Promote And Ensure Privacy Among Sexes Using Certain Restrooms And Changing Facilities In Public Schools And Public Institutions Of Higher Learning, And To Provide Penalties For Noncompliance, Among Other Things.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act," aims to ensure privacy between sexes in public schools and institutions of higher learning by requiring that restrooms and changing facilities be designated for use by only one sex at a time, or that single-user accommodations be provided. "Sex" is defined as biological sex at birth, and "accommodation" includes single-user facilities or temporary exclusive use of multi-user facilities. Public schools and higher education institutions are prohibited from using funds to maintain non-compliant facilities, and violations can result in a 25% withholding of state funds until compliance is achieved. The bill also stipulates that students cannot be forced to share overnight sleeping quarters or multi-occupancy restrooms/changing facilities with individuals of the opposite sex, unless they are family members, and allows for private legal action against institutions that fail to comply, with the possibility of recovering attorney fees. Exceptions are made for custodial work, coaching during athletic events when no one is undressed, medical assistance, and emergencies, and the act does not prevent accommodations for disabled individuals or the establishment of family restrooms.
Committee Categories
Education, Justice
Sponsors (67)
Tommy Pope (R)*,
William Bailey (R),
Nathan Ballentine (R),
Phillip Bowers (R),
Gary Brewer (R),
Case Brittain (R),
Joe Bustos (R),
Micah Caskey (R),
Don Chapman (R),
Bill Chumley (R),
Heather Crawford (R),
April Cromer (R),
Sylleste Davis (R),
Adam Duncan (R),
Sarita Edgerton (R),
Cal Forrest (R),
Craig Gagnon (R),
Gil Gatch (R),
Daniel Gibson (R),
Doug Gilliam (R),
Thomas Lee Gilreath (R),
Val Guest (R),
Brandon Guffey (R),
Kevin Hardee (R),
Charles Hartz (R),
Bill Herbkersman (R),
Lee Hewitt (R),
Davey Hiott (R),
Bill Hixon (R),
Harriet Holman (R),
William Huff (R),
Jeff Johnson (R),
Kathy Landing (R),
John Lastinger (R),
Brian Lawson (R),
Randy Ligon (R),
Steven Long (R),
Phillip Lowe (R),
Josiah Magnuson (R),
David Martin (R),
Ryan McCabe (R),
John McCravy (R),
Tim McGinnis (R),
Cody Mitchell (R),
Dianne Mitchell (R),
Travis Moore (R),
Brandon Newton (R),
Weston Newton (R),
Melissa Oremus (R),
Fawn Pedalino (R),
Luke Rankin (R),
Robby Robbins (R),
Blake Sanders (R),
Carla Schuessler (R),
Heath Sessions (R),
Mark Smith (R),
Murrell Smith (R),
Bill Taylor (R),
James Teeple (R),
Jackie Terribile (R),
David Vaughan (R),
Joe White (R),
Bill Whitmire (R),
Paul Wickensimer (R),
Mark Willis (R),
Chris Wooten (R),
Richie Yow (R),
Last Action
Scrivener's error corrected (on 04/01/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...