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COMMITTEE REPORT
March 22, 2018
H. 5091
S. Printed 3/22/18--H.
Read the first time March 8, 2018.
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 5091) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 59-23-225 so as to promote student and teacher safety by providing that public, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
WILLIAM E. SANDIFER III for Committee.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-23-225 SO AS TO PROMOTE STUDENT AND TEACHER SAFETY BY PROVIDING THAT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS MAY INSTALL AND USE LOCKDOWN MAGNETIC DOOR STRIPS ON CLASSROOM DOOR FRAMES TO BETTER SECURE CLASSROOMS DURING LOCKDOWNS, TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMINOLOGY, TO PROVIDE RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT MUST PREVAIL TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY CONFLICT WITH ANOTHER PROVISION OF LAW.
Whereas, the safety of students and teachers in South Carolina is of paramount importance, and essential to a successful learning environment; and
Whereas, the tragedy of recent school shootings provides a stark reminder of the importance of using creative measures to promote safety of our students and teachers; and
Whereas, one such proven, creative measure is the use of magnetic door strips which allow teachers during school lockdowns to quickly secure their classrooms by removing the magnetic door strip from the frame, allowing the door to latch; and
Whereas, the General Assembly finds it highly beneficial to promote the use of magnetic door strips in schools, notwithstanding potential conflicts with building codes, fire safety codes, and other such laws. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 2, Chapter 23, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-23-225. (A) For purposes of this article, a 'lockdown magnetic door strip' means a magnetic strip designed to be placed on a classroom door frame at or near the strike plate to keep the door from latching when closed, thereby allowing the door hardware to remain locked while the door can still be used to enter and exit the classroom, and which can easily be removed to enable the door to be quickly locked and remain locked during a school lockdown or school security incident.
(B) To promote student and teacher safety, a public or private school may install and use lockdown magnetic door strips on classroom door frames.
(C) The State Department of Education shall:
(1) promulgate regulations to provide specifications for lockdown magnetic door strips that may be used by schools under the provisions of this section; and
(2) provide school districts with approved vendors of lockdown magnetic door strips that meet the specifications in item (1).
(D) To the extent the provisions of this section conflict with any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, standard, code or specification, policy, or other law concerning building codes and fire safety codes, the provisions of this section must prevail."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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