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TO AMEND CHAPTER 25, TITLE 59 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO TEACHERS, TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA TEACHER PROTECTION ACT OF 2017," BY ADDING ARTICLE 9, TO PROVIDE THAT A TEACHER MAY BRING A CIVIL ACTION AGAINST A STUDENT WHO COMMITS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AGAINST THE TEACHER IF THE OFFENSE OCCURS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS OR AT A SCHOOL-RELATED EVENT OR IF THE OFFENSE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE TEACHER'S PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES; AND TO PROVIDE THAT NO TEACHER HAS CIVIL LIABILITY TO A STUDENT OR TO A PARTY ACTING IN THE INTEREST OF THE STUDENT FOR AN ACT OR OMISSION BY THE TEACHER THAT OCCURS WHILE THE TEACHER IS ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Teacher Protection Act of 2017."
SECTION 2. Chapter 25, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 59-25-900. As used in this article:
(1) 'Teacher' means a:
(a) licensed teacher, principal, administrator, home school educator, or other educational professional who works on school grounds;
(b) professional or non-professional employee who works on school grounds and has a responsibility to maintain order and discipline or ensure safety; or
(c) school employee who, in an emergency, is called upon to maintain order and discipline or ensure safety.
(2) 'School' means a public or private kindergarten; a public or private elementary school; a public or private middle school or junior high; a public or private high school; a secondary school; an adult education school; a home school that includes students not related by blood to the operator; a public or private college or university; and any vocational, technical, or occupational school.
(3) 'Student' means a person:
(a) enrolled in a school, whether the person is suspended or not suspended; or
(b) expelled from a school within one year of enrollment.
Section 59-29-910. A teacher may bring a civil action against a student who commits a criminal offense against the teacher if the offense occurs on school grounds or at a school-related event, or if the offense is directly related to the teacher's professional responsibilities. Nothing in this subsection is intended to limit the civil remedies available to another party as a result of the same criminal act.
Section 59-29-920. In addition to the protections granted under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, no teacher has civil liability to a student or to a party acting in the interest of a student for an act or omission by the teacher if the:
(1) teacher was acting within the scope of the teacher's employment;
(2) actions of the teacher violated no state, local, or federal law, including regulations set forth by the individual district or school;
(3) acts or omissions were not the result of willful or intentional conduct or gross negligence;
(4) acts or omissions were not the result of the teacher operating a motor vehicle or watercraft; and
(5) actions of the teacher do not constitute a violation of the student's civil rights.
Section 59-29-930. This article does not affect the provisions of the South Carolina Tort Claims Act."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on January 10, 2017 at 3:05 PM