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TO AMEND SECTION 30-4-70(B) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION OF A PUBLIC BODY, TO PROVIDE THAT THE PRESIDING OFFICER MUST STATE THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THE MEETING, THAT NO OTHER MATTER MAY BE LAWFULLY DISCUSSED, AND THAT NO VOTE OR STRAW POLL MAY BE TAKEN.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 30-4-70(b) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(b) Before going into executive session the public agency shall vote in public on the question and when the vote is favorable, the presiding officer shall announce the specific purpose of the executive session. The presiding officer must also state that the discussion in executive session is limited solely to the specific purpose of the executive session and that discussion of any other matter is prohibited. As used in this subsection, "specific purpose" means a description of the matter to be discussed as identified in items (1) through (5) of subsection (a) of this section. However, when the executive session is held pursuant to Sections 30-4-70(a)(1) or 30-4-70(a)(5), the identity of the individual or entity being discussed is not required to be disclosed to satisfy the requirement that the specific purpose of the executive session be stated. No action may be taken in executive session except to (a) adjourn or (b) return to public session, and no vote or straw poll may be taken. The members of a public body may not commit the public body to a course of action by a polling of members in executive session."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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