H 3601 General Bill, By J. Brown, Askins, D.W. Beatty, Breeland, A.W. Byrd, 
Clyburn, Cotty, Fair, J.G. Felder, Fleming, Haskins, R.J. Herdklotz, Inabinett, 
Klauber, Littlejohn, Lloyd, McMahand, J.H. Neal, Scott, Seithel, Tripp, 
D.C. Waldrop, Whatley and Whipper

Similar(S 98)
 A Bill to amend Section 59-19-90, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976,
 relating to powers and duties of school boards of trustees, so as to authorize
 a board to promulgate regulations establishing a school uniform or uniform
 dress code policy within its district.

   02/15/95  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-8
   02/15/95  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works HJ-8

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 59-19-90, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO POWERS AND DUTIES OF SCHOOL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A BOARD TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS ESTABLISHING A SCHOOL UNIFORM OR UNIFORM DRESS CODE POLICY WITHIN ITS DISTRICT.

Whereas, the children of this State have the right to attend safe and secure schools where the focus is on academics; and

Whereas, apparel can be, and is, used to reflect gang affiliation and to send other negative messages; and

Whereas, many educators believe that school dress can influence pupil behavior; and

Whereas, public schools which have adopted uniform dress report a more disciplined atmosphere. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1. Section 59-19-90 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding a new item (12) to read:

"(12) Promulgate regulations to establish a school uniform or uniform dress code policy. Be empowered to promulgate regulations by which elementary, junior, and middle schools within the district may adopt a school uniform or uniform dress code policy. Prior to a school establishing a dress code that requires every student to wear uniform dress, the specific uniform dress must be determined in consultation with the School Improvement Council and the parents of the students attending that school. The policy must not be implemented with less than three months notice to parents and unless a method for assisting students who cannot afford to purchase the uniforms or uniform dress is initiated."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.