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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
COMMITTEE REPORT
April 1, 2008
S. 641
S. Printed 4/1/08--S.
Read the first time April 5, 2007.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 641) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 59-63-35 so as to provide that a school shall defer to the decision of parents of twins, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 1, by striking SECTION 1 and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 63, title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-63-35. A parent or guardian may request that their twins or multiples, who are enrolled in the same school and in the same grade, be placed in the same classroom. Upon receiving the parent or guardian's request in writing, the principal must grant the parent or guardian's request if the twins or multiples are on the same educational level and meet the class' qualifications. If after sixty classroom days, the principal has documented reasons as to why separating the twins or multiples best serves the school's health or safety needs, the principal may separate the twins or multiples. A parent or guardian may appeal the decision to the local school board." /
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, by adding a new SECTION to read:
/ SECTION ___. Section 59-65-10(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(A) All parents or guardians shall cause their children or wards to attend regularly a public or private school or kindergarten of this State which has been approved by the State Board of Education or a member school of the South Carolina Independent Schools' Association or some similar organization, or a parochial, denominational, or church-related school, or other programs which have been approved by the State Board of Education from the school year in which the child or ward is five years of age before September first until the child or ward attains his seventeenth birthday or graduates from high school. A parent or guardian whose child or ward is not six years of age on or before the first day of September of a particular school year may elect for their child or ward not to attend kindergarten. For this purpose, the parent or guardian shall sign a written document making the election with the governing body of the school district in which the parent or guardian resides. The form of this written document must be prescribed by regulation of the Department of Education. Upon the written election being executed, that child or ward may not be required to attend kindergarten. A parent or guardian whose child or ward is six years of age on or before the first day of September of a particular school year may elect for their child or ward to attend kindergarten or first grade if the child did not attend kindergarten in the previous school year. For this purpose, the parent or guardian shall sign a written document making the election with the governing body of the school district in which the parent or guardian resides. The form of this written document must be prescribed by regulation of the Department of Education. Upon the written election being executed, that child or ward may attend either kindergarten or first grade. The school's governing body must comply with the election." /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
JOHN E. COURSON for Committee.
EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:
The State Department of Education (SDE) indicates this bill will have no fiscal impact for that agency.
Approved By:
Harry Bell
Office of State Budget
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL SHALL DEFER TO THE DECISION OF PARENTS OF TWINS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE TWINS WILL BE IN THE SAME CLASSROOM.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 63, title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-63-35. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a school shall defer to the decision of parents of twins enrolled in the same grade at the same school as to whether or not the twins will be placed in the same classroom."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2007.
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