Amended

March 3, 2026

 

H. 5179

 

Introduced by Reps. Erickson, McGinnis, Garvin, Grant, Yow, C. Mitchell, Wooten and King

 

S. Printed 3/3/26--H.

Read the first time February 12, 2026

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-440 SO AS TO CREATE THE SCHOOL MAPPING DATA PROGRAM WITHIN THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION FOR THE PURPOSE OF FACILITATING EFFICIENT EMERGENCY RESPONSES IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING BY PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES, TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION BY THE DIVISION, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

    Amend Title To Conform

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Article 1, Chapter 101, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 59-101-440.  (A) For purposes of this section:

       (1) "School mapping data" means information collected pursuant to this section in an electronic or a digital format and provided to assist first responders in responding to emergencies in an institution of higher learning.

       (2) "Institution of higher learning" means:

           (a) state-supported colleges and universities enumerated in Section 59-101-10; and

           (b) state-supported technical institutions under the jurisdiction of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education.

    (B)(1) To facilitate efficient emergency responses in institutions of higher learning by public safety agencies in this State, the School Mapping Data Program is established as a statewide initiative within the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Subject to funding, SLED shall contract with a vendor to provide school mapping data for each institution of higher learning in the State. The data must be provided to the institution, local law enforcement agencies, and public safety agencies for use in response to emergencies. For purposes of this section, emergencies include, but are not limited to, any event in which a law enforcement officer, firefighter, rescue squad, emergency medical service provider, public safety telecommunicator, or any other emergency management provider may respond.

       (2) In addition to requirements set forth by SLED and in consultation with the Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence within SLED, school mapping data must:

           (a) be compatible with software platforms used by local, county, state, and federal public safety agencies that provide emergency services to the specific institution of higher learning for which the data is provided without requiring such agencies to purchase additional software or requiring a fee to view or access the data;

           (b) be compatible with security software platforms in use by the specific institution for which the data is provided without requiring the local law enforcement agencies or institutions to purchase additional software or requiring a fee to view or access the data; and

           (c) provide that any updates to school mapping data as defined by this section must be accessible within software platforms used by local, county, state, and federal public safety agencies that provide emergency services to the specific institution.

       (3) To ensure that campus mapping data used by law enforcement and emergency response agencies remains accurate and current, each public institution of higher learning shall, at least once every two years, review all campus facilities and infrastructure, including athletic facilities and branch campuses, to identify material changes, renovations, additions, or updates and shall report such changes to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the mapping vendor under contract pursuant to this section, provided that nothing herein prohibits more frequent coordination or updates as necessary.

    (C) School mapping data provided to institutions, local law enforcement agencies, and public safety agencies for use in response to emergencies pursuant to this section must be regarded as confidential information. A private security provider used by a public institution of higher learning to provide campus security may not disclose such information except pursuant to a court order. A public body in possession of such information:

       (1) may not disclose such information pursuant to a request under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act; and

       (2) only may disclose such information pursuant to the procedures established in Section 23-50-45.

    (D) In any given fiscal year, the annual cost of maintenance may not exceed fifteen percent of the initial cost of the mapping.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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