H 4202 General Bill, By Askins, Coates, J. Hines, M. Hines and McGee
 A BILL TO AUTHORIZE FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3, 4, AND 5 TO
 CHARGE AND COLLECT INCIDENTAL FEES FROM PUPILS, TO PROVIDE A WAIVER OF THESE
 FEES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AND TO MAKE THE ABOVE PROVISIONS RETROACTIVE TO
 JULY 1, 2000.

   05/29/01  House  Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference HJ-32
   05/30/01  House  Read second time HJ-6
   05/31/01  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-5
   05/31/01  Senate Intd. & placed on local & uncontested cal. w/o
                     reference SJ-9
   08/01/01  Senate Read second time
   02/05/02  Senate Committed to delegation from Florence SJ-39

May 31, 2001

    H. 4202

Introduced by Reps. Askins, Coates, J. Hines, M. Hines and McGee

L. Printed 5/31/01--S.

Read the first time May 31, 2001.

TO AUTHORIZE FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3, 4, AND 5 TO CHARGE AND COLLECT INCIDENTAL FEES FROM PUPILS, TO PROVIDE A WAIVER OF THESE FEES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AND TO MAKE THE ABOVE PROVISIONS RETROACTIVE TO JULY 1, 2000.

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

SECTION    1.    (A)    Florence County School Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are authorized to charge and collect incidental fees from pupils to help pay the costs of items used by students including, but not limited to, textbooks, school supplies, and special courses, programs, or activities in which students participate provided the following criteria are met:

        (1)    the fee must be necessary to meet the expenses of the district;

        (2)    the fee must be reasonable; and

        (3)    the items for which the fee is charged must be part of the district's educational program.

    (B)    The districts may not deny a student the right to attend school or be promoted because of failure to pay the fees authorized under this act.

    (C)    The boards of trustees shall establish procedures and guidelines for the waiver of the fees authorized by this act for those students who are eligible for free or reduced lunches.

SECTION    2.    The provisions of this section are retroactive to July 1, 2000, the date on which a special proviso authorizing the collection of such fees by various school districts was deleted in the annual general appropriations act.

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.