Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Committee Report

February 22, 2023

S. 203

Introduced by Senator Fanning

S. Printed 02/22/23--S.

Read the first time January 10, 2023

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The committee on Senate Education

To who was referred a Bill (S. 203) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 59-63-910, relating to required public school drills, so as to provide each semester all public schools, etc., respectfully

Report:

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, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-63-910(A) and inserting:

   (A) All public schools, including charter schools whose instruction is not primarily delivered online, shall conduct fire, active shooter/intruder, and severe weather/earthquake drills. Within each school year, schools must conduct at least two fire drills, two active shooter/intruder drills, and two severe weather/earthquake drills, with at least one of each drill conducted each semester . Notwithstanding any other law, regulation, codes or standards which are based upon nationally recognized codes or standards, all public schools, including charter schools whose instruction is not primarily delivered online, shall conduct one fire drill, one active shooter/intruder drill and one severe weather/earthquake drill each semester, all of which must be conducted within the first 15 days of each semester. In addition to these requirements, all elementary schools shall conduct one additional fire drill each semester.

For purpose of this subsection, elementary school includes any public school, including charter schools whose instruction is not primarily delivered online, that contains grades K-5.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

GREG HEMBREE for Committee.

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A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 59-63-910, relating to REQUIRED PUBLIC SCHOOL DRILLS, so as to PROVIDE EACH SEMESTER ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS WHOSE INSTRUCTION IS NOT PRIMARILY DELIVERED ONLINE, SHALL CONDUCT ONE FIRE DRILL, ONE ACTIVE SHOOTER/INTRUDER DRILL, AND ONE SEVERE WEATHER/EARTHQUAKE DRILL.

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

SECTION 1.      Section 59-63-910(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   (A) All public schools, including charter schools whose instruction is not primarily delivered online, shall conduct fire, active shooter/intruder, and severe weather/earthquake drills. Within each school year, schools must conduct at least two fire drills, two active shooter/intruder drills, and two severe weather/earthquake drills, with at least one of each drill conducted each semester Each semester all public schools, including charter schools whose instruction is not primarily delivered online, shall conduct one fire drill, one active shooter/intruder drill, and one severe weather/earthquake drill.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect July 1, 2024.

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