A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-105 SO AS TO ALLOW PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES TO BRING WATER BOTTLES TO SCHOOL WITH EXCEPTIONS.

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

SECTION 1.  Article 1, Chapter 63, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 59-63-105. (A) Public school students and employees may bring and carry water bottles to school, including in public school classrooms, that:

       (1) are made of a material that cannot be broken or punctured easily;

       (2) have a lid to prevent spills; and

       (3) are filled exclusively with water.

    (B) A public school may enact:

       (1) a policy prohibiting a public school student or public school employee from bringing a water bottle into:

           (a) a library;

           (b) a computer lab;

           (c) a science lab; or

           (d) any other location in which it may present an issue to have drinking water near other individuals or equipment;

       (2) a disciplinary policy regarding the misuse of water bottles by a public school student or a public school employee; and

       (3) a policy limiting the size, clarity, or other physical characteristics of water bottles.

    (C) Water bottles and their contents are subject to search and inspection pursuant to S.C. Code Sections 59-63-1110 and 59-63-1120.

    (D) Students and employees of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Department of Corrections are exempt from this section.

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

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