TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-19-92 SO AS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS MAY NOT CHARGE MATRICULATION OR INCIDENTAL FEES TO STUDENTS AS CONDITIONS TO ENROLLING IN OR ATTENDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 59-19-90, RELATING TO THE GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, SO AS TO DELETE PROVISIONS ALLOWING PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS TO CHARGE SUCH MATRICULATION OR REGISTRATION FEES.

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

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 19, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 59-19-92.    Public school board trustees may charge no matriculation or incidental fees to students as a condition to enrolling in or attending a public school in the district. The provisions of this section apply notwithstanding any other provision of law."

SECTION 2. Section 59-19-90(8) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(8)    Charge matriculation and incidental fees. Charge and collect matriculation and incidental fees from students; however, regulations or policies adopted by the board regarding charges and collections must take into account the students' ability to pay and must hold the fee to a minimum reasonable amount. Fees may not be charged to students eligible for free lunches and must be reduced pro rata for students eligible for reduced price lunches Reserved;"

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.