H 3387 General Bill, By Fair

Similar(S 779)
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 59-1-460 so as to provide for public school students to be excused from class
 to attend off-campus religious instruction, to provide for the requirements
 that must be met before students may be excused for this purpose, and to
 provide that students attending this instruction are not considered absent
 from school.

   02/03/93  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-19
   02/03/93  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works HJ-19
   05/12/93  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Education and Public Works HJ-3
   05/25/93  House  Debate interrupted HJ-26
   05/26/93  House  Objection by Rep. Kirsh, Moody-Lawrence, Canty,
                     Worley & Hines HJ-26
   05/26/93  House  Objection withdrawn by Rep. Canty HJ-79
   05/26/93  House  Objection withdrawn by Rep. Worley HJ-80
   05/27/93  House  Objection withdrawn by Rep. Hines HJ-137
   06/01/93  House  Objection by Rep. Holt, J. Bailey, Scott, McLeod,
                     Fair, Simrill, Meacham, HJ-72
   06/01/93  House  Objection by Rep. Cato, Cooper, Robinson,
                     Klauber, Williams, Inabinett, HJ-72
   06/01/93  House  Objection by Rep. Breeland, White, Kelley, Wright
                     & Riser HJ-72
   06/03/93  House  Objection withdrawn by Rep. Inabinett HJ-91
   02/23/94  House  Objection withdrawn by Rep. Scott, J. Bailey,
                     Breeland & White HJ-34
   03/01/94  House  Objection withdrawn by Rep. Simrill HJ-54

May 12, 1993

H. 3387

S. Printed 5/12/93--H.

Read the first time February 3, 1993.

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3387), to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 59-1-460 so as to provide for public school students to be excused from class to attend off-campus religious instruction, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding at the end of Section 59-1-460 of the 1976 Code, as contained in SECTION 1, the following:

/The board of trustees of the school district shall develop a policy that provides reasonable parameters for the release time authorized by this section./ When amended the section shall read:

/Section 59-1-460. The school district board of trustees shall authorize a student to be excused from school to attend a class in religious instruction if:

(1) the student's parent or guardian gives his written consent;

(2) the sponsoring religious institution maintains attendance records and makes them available to the public school the student attends;

(3) transportation to and from the religious instruction is the complete responsibility of the sponsoring religious institution, parent, or guardian;

(4) the sponsoring religious institution makes provisions for and assumes liability for the student who is excused; and

(5) no public school personnel are involved in providing the religious instruction.

At the middle school, junior high, or high school level, classes in religious instruction must be timed to coincide with the regular daily class schedule. At the elementary school level, participating students must be excused for a minimum of sixty minutes a week for religious instruction. It is the responsibility of a participating student to make up any missed school work.

While in attendance in a religious instruction class pursuant to this section, a student is not considered to be absent from school.

The board of trustees of the school district shall develop a policy that provides reasonable parameters for the release time authorized by this section./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

OLIN R. PHILLIPS, for Committee.

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-460 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BE EXCUSED FROM CLASS TO ATTEND OFF-CAMPUS RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE MET BEFORE STUDENTS MAY BE EXCUSED FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS ATTENDING THIS INSTRUCTION ARE NOT CONSIDERED ABSENT FROM SCHOOL.

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

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-1-460. The school district board of trustees shall authorize a student to be excused from school to attend a class in religious instruction if:

(1) the student's parent or guardian gives his written consent;

(2) the sponsoring religious institution maintains attendance records and makes them available to the public school the student attends;

(3) transportation to and from the religious instruction is the complete responsibility of the sponsoring religious institution, parent, or guardian;

(4) the sponsoring religious institution makes provisions for and assumes liability for the student who is excused; and

(5) no public school personnel are involved in providing the religious instruction.

At the middle school, junior high, or high school level, classes in religious instruction must be timed to coincide with the regular daily class schedule. At the elementary school level, participating students must be excused for a minimum of sixty minutes a week for religious instruction. It is the responsibility of a participating student to make up any missed school work.

While in attendance in a religious instruction class pursuant to this section, a student is not considered to be absent from school."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect August 1, 1993.