Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Committee Amendment Adopted

February 28, 2023

S. 203

Introduced by Senator Fanning

S. Printed 02/28/23--S.                                                                            [SEC 3/1/2023 4:51 PM]

Read the first time January 10, 2023

________

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.

    Amend Title To Conform

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 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.

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

----XX----