TO AMEND SECTION 59-63-280 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES AT SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL ADOPT A POLICY PROHIBITING STUDENT USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES DURING SCHOOL HOURS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 59-63-280 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-63-280. (A) For purposes of this section,:
(1) 'paging device' means a telecommunications, to include mobile telephones, device that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor.
(2) 'School hours' means those hours which encompass the period when classes are normally in session at the school and for which students are to be in attendance, as well as such ancillary times that are part of the traditional school day, including, but not limited to, homeroom, study hall periods, lunch and recess.
(3) 'Wireless electronic communication device' means an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, a personal digital assistant, a text-messaging device, which allows a person to wirelessly communicate with another person, or paging device.
(B) The board of trustees of each school district shall adopt a policy that addresses prohibits student possession use of paging wireless electronic communication devices as defined in subsection (A) during school hours. This policy must be included in the district's written student conduct standards and must contain appropriate disciplinary action. If the policy includes confiscation of a paging device wireless communication device, as defined in subsection (A), it should also provide for the return of the device to the owner. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a student from possessing a wireless communication device during school hours."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.