S*0070(Rat #0109, Act #0055 of 1991)  General Bill, By M.T. Rose and Wilson
 A Bill to amend Chapter 1, Title 59, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by
 adding Section 59-1-455, relating to education, so as to require all public
 schools to designate a time each school day for the "Pledge of
 Allegiance".-amended title

   09/10/90  Senate Prefiled
   09/10/90  Senate Referred to Committee on Education
   01/08/91  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-43
   01/08/91  Senate Referred to Committee on Education SJ-43
   03/12/91  Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Education SJ-15
   03/13/91  Senate Amended SJ-12
   03/13/91  Senate Read second time SJ-13
   03/13/91  Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
                     amendments SJ-13
   03/19/91  Senate Amended SJ-9
   03/19/91  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-9
   03/20/91  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-9
   03/20/91  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works HJ-9
   04/25/91  House  Committee report: Favorable Education and Public
                     Works HJ-56
   05/08/91  House  Read second time HJ-45
   05/09/91  House  Read third time and enrolled HJ-12
   05/21/91         Ratified R 109
   05/22/91         Signed By Governor
   05/22/91         Effective date 05/22/91
   05/22/91         Act No. 55
   06/20/91         Copies available

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-455, RELATING TO EDUCATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO DESIGNATE A TIME EACH SCHOOL DAY FOR THE "PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE".

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

Time for pledge of allegiance required

SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-1-455. Beginning with the 1991-92 school year, all public school students, commencing with grades kindergarten through and including high school, shall during the course of each school day's activities at a specific time which must be designated by the local school say the Pledge of Allegiance as follows:

`I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'

Any person not wishing to say the `Pledge of Allegiance' or otherwise participate in saying the `Pledge of Allegiance' is exempt from participation and may not be penalized for failing to participate.

A person who does not wish to participate may leave the classroom, may remain in his seat, or may express his nonparticipation in any form which does not materially infringe upon the rights of other persons or disrupt school activities."

Time effective

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

Approved the 22nd day of May, 1991.