Bill Text: SC H5579 | 2019-2020 | 123rd General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: COVID-19

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 33-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-09-16 - Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Erickson [H5579 Detail]

Download: South_Carolina-2019-H5579-Introduced.html


A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO PROVIDE FULL FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE AS AN OPTION IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE DURATION OF THE PERIOD THAT THE GOVERNOR ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS EXERCISING EMERGENCY POWERS CONCERNING COVID-19, SARS, OR BOTH, AND TO PROVIDE ALL EMPLOYEES OF SUCH DISTRICTS MUST BE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL WORKERS DURING THIS PERIOD.

Whereas, in response to outbreaks of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Governor Henry McMaster has issued a series of Executive Orders invoking emergency powers and directing emergency measures covering a multitude of operations in South Carolina; and

Whereas, among other things, these orders closed public schools, which have since reopened for the 2020-2021 school year, offering a variety of options including full face-to-face instruction, full remote learning, and hybrid combinations of face-to-face instruction and remote learning; and

Whereas, some schools have elected to offer only full remote learning, depriving students of the opportunity to have any degree of face-to-face instruction, and this deficiency must be remedied so as to ensure all students are afforded the same opportunity, while acknowledging and accounting for the resulting increased risk of exposure for school personnel. Now, therefore:

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That for as long as the Governor continues to issue measures concerning his emergency powers and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), or both, all public schools, regardless of grade level, shall offer students the option of full face-to-face instruction, which must take place five days each week in 4K-12 schools, excluding legal holidays or declared emergency adverse weather events, in addition to any other form of instruction the district may offer.

Furthermore, for as long as the Governor continues to issue measures concerning his emergency powers and COVID-19, SARS, or both, all persons employed by public school districts must be considered essential workers who are working in essential workplaces, and must be entitled to the privileges and responsibilities of such a designation within the bounds of the law.

Furthermore, the State Superintendent of Education shall enforce the provisions of this Joint Resolution to ensure full compliance by all public school districts.

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the State Superintendent of Education.

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