A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 59-104-20, relating to the impact of felonies and alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offenses on Palmetto Fellows Scholarship qualifications, by amending Section 59-113-20, relating to the impact of felonies and alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offenses on South Carolina Tuition Grants qualifications, and by amending Section 59-149-90, relating to the impact of felonies and alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offenses on LEGISLATIVE INCENTIVES FOR FUTURE EXCELLENCE (LIFE) SCHOLARSHIP qualifications, all so as to REMOVE CONVICTIONS FOR MISDEMEANOR ALCOHOL-RELATED OR DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES FROM THOSE OFFENSES WHICH DISQUALIFY PERSONS FROM RECEIVING THESE SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS.

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

SECTION 1.   Section 59-104-20(B) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   (B) Students, either new or continuing, must not have been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such scholarships after the expiration of one academic year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea.

SECTION 2.   Section 59-113-20(f) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   (f) has not been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a South Carolina tuition grant, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such grants after the expiration of one academic year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea.

SECTION 3.   Section 59-149-90(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   (A) Students must not have been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a LIFE Scholarship, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such scholarships after the expiration of one academic year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea.

SECTION 4.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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