Bill > H5205

This bill mandates that all public colleges, universities, and technical colleges in South Carolina must implement a safety training program for new students, excluding those in adult education, dual enrollment, certificate, continuing education, or transient programs. This training, developed by the campus public safety director and other relevant officials, must cover topics such as personal safety, emergency procedures, accessing campus security, preventing and responding to sexual assault and domestic violence, bystander intervention, and mental health resources. Institutions are also required to annually report campus crime statistics, including specific offenses like homicide, sexual assault, and burglary, and whether the alleged victim and offender were affiliated with the institution, to state education bodies and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division by October 31st each year, with these reports also being made publicly available online. Furthermore, institutions must post their campus safety plans online, updating them at least annually. State education commissions will monitor compliance and report any non-compliant institutions to legislative committees, who can then recommend funding reductions or refer the matter to the Attorney General for enforcement. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to students enrolling in the fall of 2027, with the first crime statistics report due in November 2027.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=5205&session=126&summary=B