Rep. MURPHY proposes the following Amendment No. 4 to S. 595 (COUNCIL\SD\595C004.NL.SD19):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/SECTION __. Section 59-25-115 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 59-25-115. (A)A person enrolled in a teacher education program in South Carolina must be advised by the college or university that his prior criminal record could prevent certification as a teacher in this State in accordance with State Board of Education guidelines.

(B) Before beginning full-time clinical teaching experience in this State, a teacher education candidate shall undergo a state criminal records check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and a national criminal records check supported by fingerprints by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a check against the South Carolina Department of Social Services Central Registry, and a check through the NASDTEC Clearinghouse. The cost associated with the FBI background checks and the Department of Social Services Central Registry check are those of the applicant. Information reported relative to prior arrests or convictions or the Department of Social Services Central Registry will be reviewed by the State Department of Education, and the State Board of Education when warranted, according to board guidelines. A teacher education candidate with prior arrests or convictions of a serious nature or with findings on the department of Social Services Central Registry that could affect his fitness to teach in the public schools of South Carolina may be denied the opportunity to complete the clinical teaching experience and qualify for initial teacher certification. An individual who is denied this opportunity as a result of prior arrests or convictions or with findings on the Central Registry, after one year, may request reconsideration under guidelines established by the State Board of Education.

(C) A graduate of a teacher education program applying for initial teacher certification must have completed the FBI fingerprint process within eighteen months of formally applying for initial teacher certification or the fingerprint process must be repeated.

(D) Any educator applying for initial certification or recertification shall undergo a state criminal records check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, a national criminal records check supported by fingerprints by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a check against the South Carolina Department of Social Services Central Registry, and a check through the NASDTEC Clearinghouse. The cost associated with the criminal records check, the FBI background checks, and the Department of Social Services Central Registry check are those of the applicant. Information reported relative to prior arrests or convictions or the Department of Social Services Central Registry will be reviewed by the State Department of Education, and the State Board of Education when warranted, according to board guidelines. An educator with prior arrests or convictions of a serious nature or with findings on the Department of Social Services Central Registry that could affect his fitness to teach in the public schools of South Carolina may be denied a certification. An individual who is denied this opportunity as a result of prior arrests or convictions or with findings on the Department of Social Services Central Registry, after one year, may request reconsideration under guidelines established by the State Board of Education." /