H*3745(Rat #0455, Act #0004 of 2001)  General Bill, By Campsen, Altman, Barrett, 
Barfield, Cato, Cooper, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, Emory, Gilham, 
Govan, Hamilton, Harrison, Haskins, Inabinett, Kelley, Leach, Littlejohn, 
Loftis, McCraw, McMahand, J.H. Neal, Phillips, Pinckney, Sandifer, Sharpe, 
Simrill, J. Smith, Stille, Tripp, Vaughn, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Lourie and 
Knotts
 A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976,
 RELATING TO MARRIAGE, BY ADDING ARTICLE 7, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE "SOUTH
 CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT ACT", TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF THE SOUTH
 CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET, AND TO PROVIDE TO WHOM THE PAMPHLET IS
 DISTRIBUTED; TO AMEND SECTION 20-1-240, RELATING TO INFORMATION GIVEN TO
 MARRIAGE APPLICANTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE APPLICANTS RECEIVE THE SOUTH CAROLINA
 FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET; TO AMEND SECTION 44-63-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
 THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFIED COPIES OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE
 FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET IS INCLUDED WITH EACH CERTIFIED COPY OF THE BIRTH
 CERTIFICATE; TO AMEND SECTION 44-122-40, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF COUNTY
 FUNDED ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY PREVENTION INITIATIVES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE
 DISTRIBUTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET WITH ADOLESCENTS
 INVOLVED IN THE INITIATIVES; TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 53, RELATING TO THE
 CELEBRATION OF SPECIAL DAYS, BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-45 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A
 FAMILY RESPECT DAY ON THE FRIDAY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MOTHER'S DAY; TO ADD
 SECTION 53-3-150 TO PROVIDE THAT THE WEEK WHICH INCLUDES THE ELEVENTH DAY OF
 NOVEMBER IN EACH YEAR IS DESIGNATED AS "PATRIOTISM WEEK" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
 TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR SHALL ISSUE COMMEMORATIVE PROCLAMATIONS AND SCHOOL
 DISTRICTS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS SHALL BE ENCOURAGED
 TO OBSERVE THE WEEK; TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
 ACT OF 2000", BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-140 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH SCHOOL
 DISTRICT IN THIS STATE SHALL CONDUCT ANNUAL IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS
 AND ADMINISTRATORS REGARDING CONSTITUTIONALLY AND STATUTORILY PERMITTED SCHOOL
 RELIGIOUS EXERCISES AND EXPRESSIONS; AND TO ADD SECTION 59-17-135 SO AS TO
 PROVIDE SCHOOL BOARDS MUST DEVELOP POLICIES ADDRESSING CHARACTER EDUCATION AND
 ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO EXHIBIT APPROPRIATE AND RESPECTFUL CONDUCT TOWARD PUBLIC
 SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.-AMENDED TITLE

   03/16/99  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-5
   03/16/99  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-6
   04/27/99  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Judiciary HJ-4
   04/29/99  House  Objection by Rep. Kennedy HJ-24
   04/29/99  House  Requests for debate-Rep(s). Lee, Moody-Lawrence,
                     Parks, Govan, Howard, Mack, Easterday,
                     Davenport, Beck, Leach, D. Smith and Clyburn HJ-24
   05/26/99  House  Amended HJ-125
   05/26/99  House  Read second time HJ-136
   05/26/99  House  Roll call Yeas-69  Nays-25 HJ-136
   05/27/99  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-133
   06/01/99  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-15
   06/01/99  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-15
   03/23/00  Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Judiciary SJ-15
   03/28/00  Senate Read second time SJ-253
   03/28/00  Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
                     amendments SJ-253
   05/09/00  Senate Amended SJ-17
   05/09/00  Senate Read third time and returned to House with
                     amendments SJ-17
   05/17/00  House  Debate adjourned until Thursday, May 18, 2000 HJ-60
   05/18/00  House  Debate adjourned on amendments HJ-34
   05/18/00  House  Senate amendment amended HJ-79
   05/18/00  House  Returned to Senate with amendments HJ-79
   05/24/00  Senate Non-concurrence in House amendment SJ-18
   05/24/00  House  House insists upon amendment and conference
                     committee appointed Reps. Campsen, Harris and
                     Easterday HJ-66
   05/25/00  Senate Conference committee appointed Sens. Moore,
                     Martin, Hutto SJ-29
   06/22/00  House  Free conference powers granted HJ-138
   06/22/00  House  Free conference committee appointed Reps.
                     Campsen, Harris and Easterday HJ-139
   06/22/00  House  Free conference report received and adopted HJ-140
   06/22/00  Senate Free conference powers granted
   06/22/00  Senate Free conference committee appointed Sens. Moore,
                     Martin, Hutto
   06/22/00  Senate Free conference report received and adopted
   06/22/00  Senate Ordered enrolled for ratification
   06/22/00         Ratified R 455
   11/30/00         Signed By Governor
   11/30/00         Effective date 11/30/00
   01/10/01         Copies available
   02/15/01         Act No. 4

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MARRIAGE, BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT ACT", TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET, AND TO PROVIDE TO WHOM THE PAMPHLET IS DISTRIBUTED; TO AMEND SECTION 20-1-240, RELATING TO INFORMATION GIVEN TO MARRIAGE APPLICANTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE APPLICANTS RECEIVE THE SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET; TO AMEND SECTION 44-63-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFIED COPIES OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET IS INCLUDED WITH EACH CERTIFIED COPY OF THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE; TO AMEND SECTION 44-122-40, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF COUNTY FUNDED ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY PREVENTION INITIATIVES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET WITH ADOLESCENTS INVOLVED IN THE INITIATIVES; TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 53, RELATING TO THE CELEBRATION OF SPECIAL DAYS, BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-45 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A FAMILY RESPECT DAY ON THE FRIDAY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MOTHER'S DAY; TO ADD SECTION 53-3-150 TO PROVIDE THAT THE WEEK WHICH INCLUDES THE ELEVENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER IN EACH YEAR IS DESIGNATED AS "PATRIOTISM WEEK" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR SHALL ISSUE COMMEMORATIVE PROCLAMATIONS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS SHALL BE ENCOURAGED TO OBSERVE THE WEEK; TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACT OF 2000", BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-140 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THIS STATE SHALL CONDUCT ANNUAL IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS REGARDING CONSTITUTIONALLY AND STATUTORILY PERMITTED SCHOOL RELIGIOUS EXERCISES AND EXPRESSIONS; AND TO ADD SECTION 59-17-135 SO AS TO PROVIDE SCHOOL BOARDS MUST DEVELOP POLICIES ADDRESSING CHARACTER EDUCATION AND ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO EXHIBIT APPROPRIATE AND RESPECTFUL CONDUCT TOWARD PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that the family is the fundamental building block of society; and

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that the State should promote strong families, for the family is the cradle of an ordered and vibrant republic; and

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that one way for the State to promote strong families is to publish and distribute a pamphlet which emphasizes the importance of families. Now, therefore,

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

Additional information for applicant

SECTION 1. Section 20-1-240 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 20-1-240. All authorized offices, officials, or individuals empowered to issue a marriage license shall, at the time of application, provide to applicants for marriage licenses:

(1) family planning information supplied to the issuing officials by the Department of Health and Environmental Control; and

(2) the 'South Carolina Family Respect' information pamphlet published and provided by the office of the Governor."

Family Respect Act; pamphlet and distribution

SECTION 2. Chapter 1, Title 20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 20-1-700. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Family Respect Act'.

Section 20-1-710. The General Assembly finds that the family is the fundamental building block of society. Within healthy families children are instilled with values essential to the vitality of our State. These values include personal responsibility, honesty, duty, commitment to others, a work ethic, respect for authority, and sound educational habits. Because the family plays such a crucial role in developing these and other civic virtues essential to self-government, parents have a duty to themselves, their children, and society at large to instill these virtues in their children. Therefore, as much as it is able, the State should promote strong families, for the family is the cradle of an ordered and vibrant republic. Self-government depends upon civic virtue, and civic virtue in turn depends upon healthy families. The purpose of this act is to emphasize the importance of families to the success and well-being of our State.

Section 20-1-720. (A) The office of the Governor shall publish an informational pamphlet entitled 'South Carolina Family Respect' consistent with the intent and provisions of this act. The office of the Governor shall distribute the pamphlet to the agencies, offices, and entities listed in subsection (B). It is the duty of the government agencies, offices, and entities listed in subsection (B) to promote the ideals of this pamphlet and distribute it to their constituencies and clients.

(B) The informational pamphlet must be distributed to:

(1) all probate judges and clerks of court who issue marriage licenses who shall give it to each couple at the time they apply for the license;

(2) all family court judges who shall give it to all couples who file a petition for divorce or a petition for approval of a separation agreement;

(3) the Department of Social Services who shall give it to each person who applies for welfare benefits;

(4) the Department of Health and Environmental Control to be included and mailed out with each certified birth certificate issued, as provided in Section 44-63-80;

(5) all public school districts in the State that teach sex education programs. All public school districts must include a discussion of the pamphlet in its sex and family education curriculum;

(6) all state and local agencies and institutions that provide health services including, but not limited to, family planning services and distribution of contraceptives, to be given to all pregnant minors, persons receiving birth control, and persons receiving information on family planning or sexually transmitted diseases;

(7) all local mental health centers to be distributed where appropriate in particular counseling situations;

(8) all county programs for adolescent pregnancy prevention initiatives, as provided in Section 44-122-40. Each initiative must include a discussion of the pamphlet with the adolescents it counsels;

(9) all public colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning to be distributed to all first year students during their orientation; and

(10) the pamphlet must be made available for voluntary distribution to:

(i) all clergy and counselors who provide marriage counseling;

(ii) all private high schools;

(iii) all private institutions of higher learning; and

(iv) the general public."

Additional information to send with birth certificate

SECTION 3. Section 44-63-80 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 71 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 44-63-80. Except as otherwise provided, certified copies of the original birth certificate or any new or amendatory certificate, exclusive of that portion containing confidential information, must be issued only by the state registrar and only to the registrant, if of legal age, his parent or guardian, or other legal representative, and upon request to the Department of Social Services or its designee for the purpose of establishing paternity or establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation. The registrar shall include a copy of the pamphlet 'South Carolina Family Respect', as provided in Section 20-1-720, when it mails or sends the certified copy of the birth certificate. However, the certified copy of the birth certificate may not disclose the name of the father in any illegitimate birth unless the name of the father is entered on the certificate pursuant to Section 44-63-163 or Section 44-63-165. The short form certificate or birth card may be furnished only to the registrant, his parent or guardian, or other legal representative by the state or county registrar.

When one hundred years have elapsed after the date of birth, these records must be made available in photographic or other suitable format for public viewing."

Initiatives must include pamphlet

SECTION 4. Section 44-122-40(A) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 419 of 1998, is amended to read:

"(A) A local public or private agency or organization or combination of these agencies and organizations may apply to the county government for an allocation of funds to operate an adolescent pregnancy prevention initiative. All initiatives funded by the county government pursuant to this chapter shall emphasize premarital sexual abstinence and male responsibility. All initiatives funded by the county government pursuant to this chapter must distribute to and discuss the 'South Carolina Family Respect' information pamphlet, published and provided by the office of the Governor, with each adolescent involved in their project or program. All applications must meet the following minimum standards for consideration:

(1) Each initiative must have a plan of action for prevention of adolescent pregnancy that extends for at least five years. The proposal must include convincing evidence of a direct link between project activities and the reduction of adolescent pregnancy in the target population.

(2) Each initiative must have realistic, specific, and measurable goals, objectives, timelines, and budget for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.

(3) The proposal must include a description of the method for collecting and reporting the data required by the department to evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative, as specified in Section 44-122-60. Each initiative, before submitting its proposal, must send a representative to the evaluation standards workshop sponsored by the department."

Family Respect Day

SECTION 5. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 53-3-45. The Friday immediately preceding Mother's Day of each year is designated 'Family Respect Day' in recognition of the important role the family unit plays in a healthy and productive society."

Patriotism Week

SECTION 6. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 53-3-150. (A) The week which includes the eleventh day of November in each year is designated as 'Patriotism Week' in South Carolina. The Governor shall issue appropriate proclamations to commemorate 'Patriotism Week' which must be observed throughout South Carolina with appropriate ceremonies and events to:

(1) recognize the important contributions made by our military veterans to American society;

(2) honor the supreme sacrifices made by our veterans in defending the freedoms and protections afforded by the United States Constitution; and

(3) memorialize those men and women who lost their lives in military service.

(B) The State Superintendent of Education shall encourage school districts to:

(1) observe 'Patriotism Week' by holding appropriate ceremonies, events, and assemblies on school grounds; and

(2) develop appropriate curricula that focus on the purposes of 'Patriotism Week'.

(C) Commissioners and directors of state agencies and governing bodies of political subdivisions shall encourage participation by public employees in ceremonies and events during 'Patriotism Week'."

Religion and Public Schools Act; teacher and administrator instruction

SECTION 7. A. This section is known and may be cited as the "Religion and Public Schools Act of 2000".

B. The South Carolina General Assembly finds that the free exercise of religion is integral to the intellectual, moral, civic, and ethical development of students in South Carolina. It further finds that this exercise of religion should find expression only in legally sound ways that do not violate the state and federal constitutional prohibitions against the establishment of religion.

Therefore, the South Carolina General Assembly has determined to enact the "Religion and Public Schools Act", which calls for the training of educators in how to recognize constitutional distinctions between individual free exercise of religion which the First Amendment protects and state establishment of religion which the First Amendment prohibits.

The purpose of the act is to promote a constitutionally sound understanding and a faithful compliance with the free exercise and establishment clauses of the federal and state constitutions as they apply to public school operations.

C. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-17-140. (A) Effective July 1, 2001, each school district during annual in-service training shall provide a program of instruction for teachers and administrators in the essentials of constitutional protections and prohibitions as they relate to religion and public school operations. Subjects shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) student prayers;

(2) graduation prayers and baccalaureates;

(3) participation in or encouragement of religious activity by school officials;

(4) religion in school curriculum;

(5) religious content in student assignments;

(6) distribution and use of religious literature;

(7) student participation in religious events before and after school;

(8) religious persuasion versus religious harassment;

(9) religious holidays;

(10) permitted absences from objectionable lessons in religion;

(11) released time for religious instruction;

(12) teaching values;

(13) religious attire;

(14) Federal Equal Access Act;

(15) Federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act;

(16) South Carolina Religious Freedom Act;

(17) other statutory and constitutional provisions regarding the establishment of religion and free exercise thereof, as they relate to a public school context;

(18) instruction on how to access legal advice concerning the establishment of religion and free exercise thereof in a public school context; and

(19) instruction on how to access the State Department of Education's guidelines on religion and the public schools on the department's website.

(B) Once a teacher or administrator has completed the program of instruction contained in this section, it is not necessary that they participate in the same program of instruction on an annual basis. However, such teachers and administrators who have completed the program of instruction shall annually participate in instruction regarding updates and new developments in the subject matter contained in this section."

Character education policy; courteous, respectful behavior encouraged

SECTION 8. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-17-135. (A) The General Assembly finds:

(1) the schools of South Carolina must provide the safest environment possible for students to learn;

(2) teaching positive character traits is essential to improving the learning environment, promoting student achievement, reducing disciplinary problems, and developing civic-minded students;

(3) schools must be encouraged to instill the highest character and academic excellence in each student, in close cooperation with the student's parents; and

(4) elected officials, community and civic leaders, business leaders, religious institutions, youth organizations, government, media, and citizens at large must be encouraged to become actively involved in creating an atmosphere which encourages positive character development through every sector of the community.

(B) Each local school board of trustees of the State must develop a policy addressing character education. Any character education program implemented by a district as a result of an adopted policy must, to the extent possible, incorporate character traits including, but not limited to, the following: respect for others, honesty, self-control, cleanliness, courtesy, good manners, cooperation, citizenship, patriotism, courage, fairness, kindness, self-respect, compassion, diligence, generosity, punctuality, cheerfulness, patience, sportsmanship, loyalty, and virtue. Local school boards must include all sectors of the community, as referenced in subsection (A)(4), in the development of a policy and in the development of any program implemented as a result of the policy. As part of any policy and program developed by the local school board, an evaluation component must be included.

(C) Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, each school district board of trustees is encouraged to require students in the public schools under the jurisdiction of the board to exhibit appropriate conduct, as required in subsection (D) of this section.

(D) When a public school student is speaking with a public school employee while on school property or at a school sponsored event, the student may be encouraged to address and respond to the public school employee by using terms indicative of or reflecting courtesy and respect for a public school's employees' position of authority including, but not limited to, sir, ma'am, thank you, and please.

(E) Each school district board of trustees is encouraged to provide for incorporation of the requirements of subsections (C) and (D) into any existing discipline policy or policies or any code of conduct of the school district or of each school within its jurisdiction.

(F) No school board may provide suspension or expulsion from school as an appropriate punishment for violation of subsection (D).

(G) Upon request, the State Department of Education must provide to the school districts of the State information on currently available programs, curriculums, and resources. In addition, the State Department of Education must provide to the school districts of the State information on best practices and successful programs currently being implemented."

Time effective

SECTION 9. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 22nd day of June, 2000.

Approved the 30th day of November, 2000.