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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 8-27-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN EMPLOYEE WHO GIVES TESTIMONY TO A STANDING COMMITTEE, SUBCOMMITTEE OF A STANDING COMMITTEE, STUDY COMMITTEE, OR JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS ENTITLED TO THE EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS OF CHAPTER 27, TITLE 8; AND TO AMEND SECTION 8-27-40, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DISMISSAL, SUSPENSION, DEMOTION, OR DECREASE IN COMPENSATION OF AN EMPLOYEE OF A PUBLIC BODY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC BODY MAY TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE FOR CAUSES INDEPENDENT OF PROVIDING TESTIMONY AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 8-27-35.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 27, Title 8 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 8-27-35. An employee who gives testimony in good faith alleging waste or wrongdoing to a standing committee, subcommittee of a standing committee, study committee, or a joint committee of the General Assembly is given the protections of this chapter. These protections are not extended to an employee who makes unfounded allegations or gives testimony not made in good faith."
SECTION 2. Section 8-27-40 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 164 of 1993, is further amended to read:
"Section 8-27-40. Notwithstanding the filing of a report pursuant to this chapter, a public body may dismiss, suspend, demote, or decrease the compensation of an employee for causes independent of either the filing of a protected report as described in Section 8-27-20 or for giving testimony as described in Section 8-27-35."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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