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H. 3364
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Govan, Jefferson, Ridgeway and Williams
Document Path: l:\council\bills\agm\19825ab13.docx
Introduced in the House on January 17, 2013
Currently residing in the House Committee on Education and Public Works
Summary: School Districts to develop Lockdown Plans
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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1/17/2013 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 10)
1/17/2013 House Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
(House Journal-page 10)
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 10 TO CHAPTER 53, TITLE 59 SO AS TO REQUIRE EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP A LOCKDOWN PLAN FOR EACH SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT TO USE IN RESPONSE TO SITUATIONS INVOLVING SAFETY AND SECURITY ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS, TO PROVIDE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A LOCKDOWN PLAN, TO PROVIDE A SCHOOL MUST COMMUNICATE CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING ITS LOCKDOWN PLAN AND RELATED PROCEDURES TO THE PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS OF ITS STUDENTS, AND TO PROVIDE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 53, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 59-53-1010. Each school district shall develop for each school in the district an operational plan for conducting an emergency lockdown to use in response to situations concerning safety and security on the school campus. At a minimum, a lockdown plan shall include:
(1) an announcement by means of the public address system, siren, or both, that the school is commencing an immediate lockdown;
(2) all doors and windows be closed and locked;
(3) all students and staff remain in their classroom, office, or other room where they are present when a lockdown occurs, and to vacate hallways and common areas unless the situation warrants evacuation to a designated meeting zone away from the school building;
(4) prohibit anyone from leaving the campus;
(5) prohibit anyone other than law enforcement and similar first responders from entering the campus, including parents and legal guardians; and
(6) requiring students remain in the location provided in item (3) until the school issues a 'clear signal'.
Section 59-53-1020. (A) At the beginning of each school year or when a student transfers to a school during the school year, each school shall provide to the parents or guardian of the child a copy of this article and written notification stating that should a lockdown occur:
(1) parents are asked to remain calm as school and local authorities manage the situation;
(2) school staff will attempt to notify parents or guardians if it appears the lockdown will last for an extended period of time or go beyond dismissal time because students will not be allowed to leave until the appropriate law enforcement authorities consent, and that this notification will be communicated by phone, email, or both;
(3) parents may be required to pick children up from school or another designated safe area, once the appropriate law enforcement authorities consent;
(4) parents may be required to present identification as an additional precaution for student safety;
(5) any alternate reunification location considered necessary by the appropriate law enforcement authorities will be communicated to parents over the phone, by email, and social media, if possible, and will always be publicized to the local news media; and
(6) school officials will work with the district's transportation department regarding bus transportation of students.
(B) The written notification required in subsection (A) also may include other relevant information that the district or school considers appropriate.
Section 59-53-1030. Each school in the State shall randomly conduct at least two lockdown drills during each school year to practice preparedness in the event of an intruder or criminal act at the school. The drill must simulate the lockdown procedure provided in this article.
Section 59-53-1040. A principal shall indicate on his pay voucher whether he has complied with the requirements of this article. If he fails to comply with the provisions of this article, the school district shall deduct a fine of ten dollars for the first offense and twenty-five dollars for any subsequent offense."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 3:44 P.M.