S 1137 General Bill, By Ford
 A Bill to amend Title 2 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating
 to the General Assembly, by adding Chapter 58, so as to create a Joint
 Legislative Study Committee on Civil Rights.

   02/14/96  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-10
   02/14/96  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-10

A BILL

TO AMEND TITLE 2 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY ADDING CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT, SO AS TO CREATE A JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS.

Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes that South Carolina is a State comprised of a diverse citizenry which represents a myriad of cultural, religious, ethnic and social statuses; and

Whereas, the presence of this diverse citizenry gives South Carolina its unique wealth of cultural history; and

Whereas, the promotion of harmony and tolerance between its inhabitants is crucial to the long-term well-being and continued advancement of the interests of the State and its citizens alike; and

Whereas, the annals of South Carolina's history have chronicled the sturggles of the citizenry to create a society where all are recognized for their individual and collective contributions to the enrichment of the State as a whole; and

Whereas, the General Assembly believes that a Joint Legislative Study Committee on Civil Rights would further the interest of the State in providing freedom, justice, and equality for all of its citizenry. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Title 2 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina is amended by adding:

Section 2-58-10. There is hereby created a Joint Legislative Study Committee on Civil Rights (the Committee) to be composed of eight members for the purpose of studying problems related to civil rights in the State of South Carolina. The Committee membership shall be comprised of four members of the Senate to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore and four members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

Section 2-58-20. The Committee shall meet as soon after appointment as practicable and shall organize itself by electing one of its members as chairman, one of its members as vice-chairman, and one of its members as secretary. A quorum for transacting business at all meetings of the Committee shall consist of a majority of the membership of the Committee.

Section 2-58-30. (1) The Committee shall study the status of minorities and make periodic reports to the General Assembly with its recommendations concerning the following areas:

(a) Education needs and education opportunities pertaining to minorities.

(b) Social insurance and tax laws as they affect the net earnings and other income of minorities.

(c) Federal and state labor laws dealing with such matters as hours, night work and wages to determine whether they are accomplishing the purposes for which they were established and whether they should be adapted to changing technological, economic and social conditions.

(d) Differences in legal treatment of majority and minority citizens in regard to political and civil rights, property rights, and family relations.

(e) The employment policies and practices of the State of South Carolina with reference to additional affirmative steps which should be taken through legislation, executive or administrative action to assure nondiscrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, or ethnicity and to enhance constructive employment opportunities for minorities.

(2) At appropriate intervals of five or more years, an updated report shall be issued by the Committee.

(3) The Committee shall also be empowered to:

(a) Receive and disburse state and federal grants for furtherance of the Committee's objectives.

(b) Disseminate pertinent material relating to the rights, responsibilities and status of minorities.

Section 2-58-40. All executive departments and agencies of the State government shall cooperate with the Committee in the performance of its duties."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.