It is the goal of the State of South Carolina to protect residents from harmful toxins in drinking water. As a result, this bill requires the Department of Health and Environmental Control to establish maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for likely or known carcinogens and toxic chemicals likely to pose a substantial health hazard in public water systems.

The bill provides that a watercraft may not operate in excess of idle speed within 50 feet of certain objects in waters of the state.

The bill increases the distance limits between a watercraft operating in excess of idle speed on certain waters.

The bill allows for a person hunting or fishing to display electronically his/her license, permit, tag or stamp.

The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to notify the county when the owner of a dam cannot be located. In addition the county may elect to repair the dam with county funds. The bill also requires the County to provide a method to recover the repair costs.

This bill allows for the placement shoreline perpendicular wing walls that extend landward at a ninety degree angle from the ends of existing erosion control structures or devices.

A person who holds a professional certificate issued by the South Carolina Department of Education for twenty or more years and who teaches for twenty or more years may renew annually the certificate by participating in required district professional development without having to satisfy any additional renewal requirements.

Beginning with the 20202021 school year, walkthrough metal detectors must be installed and operated at all public entrances of each public elementary school, middle school, high school, and institution of higher learning.

This bill removes the requirement that homeschool students must be homeschooled for a full academic year before they may participate in interscholastic activities. This bill makes this provision effective July 1, 2020.

The bill outlines that a state institution may not charge an application fee to an applicant for admission who is a resident or considered domicile in the state.

The "Highly Qualified Subject Educator Certificate Act" provides requirements for a professional teaching certificate for a person who has substantial teaching experience in the subject for a person seeking certification and in which he/she possesses a doctorate or other terminal degree. The provision outlines that the state board and the department will award a teaching certificate to a person who complies with the requirements for a highly qualified subject educator in the area of cognitive assessments for teachers and teacher certification.

The bill requires the State Department of Education to develop a plan to implement instruction in media literacy based on recommendations and strategies provided by an advisory committee. As a result a media literacy advisory committee shall be appointed to conduct a study on teaching media literacy in schools. The committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations. For the purpose of this provision, media literacy must be considered a broad term that encompasses consumption and production of media and digital products and communication technology of all kinds.

This provision is a result of a recommendation by the Legislative Oversight Committee which states that the Department of Motor Vehicle's documents printed from the department's computer system is admissible in court as the original when the copy includes a printed watermark.

This bill outlines that a school bus may lawfully pass another school bus on a multilane highway. The bill also repeals 5967515, the provision relating to speed limits for public school buses.

The bill revises penalties for first, second or subsequent violations for unlawfully passing a stopped school bus. The bill adds a provision that gives the Superintendent of Education the discretion to overrule the decision of a local school district regarding the placement of a student school bus stop for safety measures.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may add a notation to a private passengercarrying motor vehicle registration to indicate the driver may have Tourette syndrome.

Per recommendations by the Legislative Oversight Committee, this bill deletes the provision that allows the DMV to issue a person who appeals the conviction, a certificate which entitles him or her to operate a motor vehicle for six months after the verdict or plea. The bill also deletes the provision that requires a person who registers an uninsured vehicle to provide a certificate that proves the vehicle is insured and any penalties imposed as a failure to comply.

The bill includes that the minimum speed limit along a highway with a maximum posted speed limit of seventy miles an hour is fifty miles an hour.

As a result of one of the recommendations outlined in the Legislative Oversight Committee's report, this bill outlines that a school district shall solicit written parental consent to provide information to the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School for the limited purpose of enabling it to inform the students of its academic and vocational training programs.

This bill establishes a "Teacher Bill of Rights" to enumerate those things that all certified public school teachers in South Carolina should be able to expect. These include: working in an environment conducive to learning; the inclusion of their discretion with regard to disciplinary and instructional decisions; freedom from frivolous lawsuits, planning time; a competitive salary; no unnecessary paperwork; support from school administration. These provisions do not create or imply a private cause of action for a violation. The legislation provides that each classroom teacher and fulltime librarian is entitled to at least a thirtyminute daily planning period free from the instruction and supervision of students. Each school district may set flexible or rotating schedules for the implementation of this dutyfree planning period. Implementation may not, however, result in a lengthened school day. An income tax credit is established that covers all of the property taxes paid for five years on a residence for a K-12 public school teacher who lives and teaches is a county designated as a Tier IV economically distressed county.

This bill revises provisions relating to the establishment of schools of choice exempt from certain statutes and regulations, so as to redesignate these schools as being schools of innovation and to clarify that public school districts may establish multiple schools of innovation, and to provide the state board of education shall promulgate certain regulations concerning exemptions that schools of innovation receive from certain statutes and regulations. Before granting an exemption to a district, the State Board shall promulgate regulations specifying: (a) the grounds for which an exemption must be granted; (b) the length of an exemption, which may not exceed three years; and (c) performance measures that districts shall employ to demonstrate the necessity of the exemptions and the potential successes that a grant of the exemptions is expected to achieve.

This bill provides that students desiring an Education Lottery scholarship must, in addition to existing requirements, take a math or computer science and an English/ language arts course during their senior year of high school to maintain these skills prior to entering college. The State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education (SBTCE) must establish, and technical colleges must recognize, common admission scores. (Scores may be differentiated for certain programs of study.) Students who do not meet the minimum admission score should be encouraged to enter a noncredit program that awards a national recognized business or industry credential. Education Lottery Tuition Assistance is available for individuals who enroll in a noncredit, credential awarding program provided they enroll within seven years of the first time they entered the ninth grade.

This bill establishes provisions to enhance local school governance by promoting the highest standards of ethical behavior and to provide an automatic procedure for addressing instances of deficient local school governance impacting the success of a school district. The legislation requires the State Board of Education to adopt a model code of ethics that must be adopted by local districts by July 1, 2020. The legislation establishes requirements for local school board to adopt policies disallowing nepotism. A person may not serve on a local school board if a family member is employed by the district as a superintendent, principal, assistant principal, or member of the district administrative staff. This requirement may be waived for districts with a student population under 3,000. School board members may not their position for personal or family advantage. Expectations for board members are codified. The State Ethics Act, including the requirement to file a statement of economic interest, is applied to local board members. Local school boards must adopt an annual training programs for members that includes instruction on school law, ethics, school finance, nepotism, board relations, and conflicts of interest. Completion of the training must be reported to, and retained by the State Department of Education. In addition to other statutory authority relating to the removal of officers, the Governor may remove a member of a school district board of trustees in a case involving fraud, misappropriation of funds, nepotism, violation of election or procurement laws, or a combination of these. A protocol is established that allows board members to be removed by the Governor if the district loses accreditation for school governance reasons.

This bill provides that a resident student who receives a LIFE Scholarship for at least one year of his undergraduate career shall receive one additional LIFE Scholarship stipend of seven thousand five hundred dollars within ninety days after graduating from a public or private institution of higher learning in this State with a baccalaureate degree and an undergraduate major in: (1) early childhood education; (2) elementary education; (3) middle level education; (4) secondary education; (5) art education; (6) dance education; (7) music education; (8) foreign language education; or (9) physical education. A student who completes more than one of these majors may not receive multiple stipends

This bill includes provisions for colleges and universities to create alternative teacher preparation programs that are not nationally accredited. Such programs must, however, provide specifically mandated evidence of effectiveness. The State Board of Education must review educator preparation programs at least once every five years. The SDE must provide each teacher preparation program with information regarding the performance of its graduates. The programs are required to protect the confidentiality of the data, and the information is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

This joint resolution directs the State Department of Education to develop a technology plan for providing wireless Internet access in all public schools and provide a report of its plan to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate before August 1, 2021.

This bill removes summative assessments not required by federal accountability law. This includes eliminating the eighth grade science assessment, all grades 3-8 social studies assessments, and the United States History end-of-course assessment. The legislation limits the number of formative assessments that may be administered during a school year and requires school districts to provide information to the parent or guardian of a student who is assessed.

This bill charges the State Board of Education with approving no more than five reliable and valid early literacy and numeracy screening assessment instruments for selection and use by school districts in kindergarten through third grade. Assessments must be given at the beginning of the school year. For students who need additional assistance, the screening will also occur during the middle and end of the school year. Assessment results must be reported to the State Department of Education which is responsible for monitoring student progress. Read to Succeed are revised to require that districts provide appropriate in-class intervention until all students are at grade level. Students are to be retained if their SC Ready scores are at the "Does Not Meet" level. This is more rigorous than the current "Not Met 1" level. The reading portfolio exemption for retention is strengthened. When exemptions from retention are granted because of appeals by students' parents or guardians, school districts are required to report on the number of appeals made, the number granted, and the outcome of the students whose appeals are successful. More specific job duties and position requirements are established for reading coaches. The State Department of Education must screen and approve reading coaches for districts where more than one-third of the students score at the lowest achievement level. Early childhood, elementary, and special education teachers must pass a test regarding reading instruction before they can be certified. Professional development required for compliance with Read to Succeed must be offered at no cost by the school districts. The Commission on Higher Education and the Learning Disorders Taskforce are charged with examining the effectiveness of teacher education programs in regard to diagnosing and assisting students with reading difficulties.

The bill outlines that public school classroom teachers are entitled to thirty-minute lunch periods from all duties and responsibilities connected with the instruction and supervision of students.

A public school or public school district may not use a debt collection service to collect or attempt to collect, directly or indirectly, debts due or assessed to be owed for outstanding debts on a school lunch or breakfast account of a student.

The bill provides that public school teachers may not be required to work more than 37.5 hours each week without receiving overtime pay. This provision also outlines ways to address violations.

Beginning with the 20202021 School Year, every school district shall provide elective instruction in advanced manufacturing for students in grades six through twelve in an effort to provide students with the skills needed to successfully adapt to evolutions in advanced manufacturing.

As a result of some findings which indicate that insufficient sleep in children has been shown to be associated with a wide variety of adverse outcomes, this provision creates a committee to study later start time for public schools that are underperforming.

Beginning July 1, 2021, public schools and private institutions or higher learning shall add the telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to student identification cards and may add telephone and text numbers for certain other hotlines.

No later than January 1, 2021, the State Superintendent of Education shall provide a report to the General Assembly regarding recommendations for restrictions on the use of cell phones by students while on public school campuses and at schoolsponsored events.

The bill outlines that the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Director of the Department of Public Safety jointly shall develop and maintain a safety plan for motor vehicle drivers, bicyclists, motorcycle operators, and pedestrians who travel along the state's highways. The plan shall include distributing information to the public about the state's laws relating to each form of transportation and the public's responsibility to maintain a safe community for all travelers through the use of the Internet, brochures, billboards, and public service announcements.

This proposal would hold an advisory referendum. The ballot question would be whether the state attorney general should submit a waiver request to the federal secretary of transportation. If granted, the waiver would permit South Carolina to observe daylight saving time all year long.

Authorizes the Family Court to award retroactive child support in specified circumstances. These circumstances include a father's prior knowledge of the child's birth; a father's prior willingness, or refusal, to help raise or support the child; that a mother previously informed the father of the child's needs or sought his help raising the child; the reasons the mother did not file any action earlier; and the extent a father would be prejudiced by any delay in commencing the child support case filing.

Gold and silver coins, regardless of where minted, would be legal tender in this state. However, no person could compel another person to accept these coins unless both parties first agree to do so.

"Penalty Enhancements For Certain Crimes" would set additional penalties for anyone committing crimes against victims who have been intentionally profiled. In addition, these victims would be able to commence civil actions and collect damages.

Establishes more severe penalties for interfering with fire alarms or giving false alarms inside state or local correctional institutions. Prison sentences are from 90 days to two years, and fines are as much as $2,500.

Assault weapon criminal offenses would carry significantly stiffer penalties under this legislation. Creates a two-tiered penalty hierarchy. Adds a definition of an "assault weapon." Also adds assault weapons to the crimes of unlawful transportation, storing, keeping, or possessing firearms. These assault weapons will be included in all criminal codes related to the sale, rental, or giving away machine guns, military firearms, sawed-off shotguns, or rifles as well. It would be a criminal offense to sell or give assault weapons to anyone on a terrorist watch list.

Restructures the crime of illegally carrying a pistol by creating tiered penalties. First offenses carry up to one year of jail time and/or fines of up to $1,000. Second, or more, offenses carry fines of up to $2,000 and/or up to 5 years in jail.

The crime of discharging firearms into outdoor areas, dwellings, structures, enclosures, vehicles, or equipment would be expanded. This law would apply to schools, churches, other places of worship, shopping malls, movie theaters, parking lots, and any other public gathering place, which are defined as involving three or more people. Under current law, offenders face a maximum of 10 years in jail. If passed this legislation would subject offenders to a minimum of 10 years in jail.

Clarifies that compelling witness attendance in all criminal prosecutions would be via subpoenas that both the prosecution and defense can utilize. Existing law lists only misdemeanor criminal prosecutions, and the use of subpoenas by defense teams.

Using deadly force against another person to ‘Stand Your Ground' would continue to constitute proper self-defense. This proposed legislation would add the display of deadly force as an appropriate action in these situations.

Unlawfully possessing, manufacturing, and trafficking controlled substances--including, but not limited to--LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, morphine, opium, and other narcotics, depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogenics, would no longer carry minimum sentences under this proposed bill. They would also have significantly reduced maximum sentences in many instances. Also increases the threshold weights for the amounts of these illegal drugs constituting trafficking in them.

Extends the statute of limitations for sexual abuse or incest claims against individuals, employers, and commercial businesses to the year the victim turns 29, or 5 years after discovery of the event, whichever is later. Excludes actions that fall under the statute of limitations set out in SC Code Section 15-3-555.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division [SCEMD] would be required to develop plans for emergency shelters as well as transporting financially and physically challenged people to them during mandatory evacuations.

Expands unlawful housing, education, and public accommodations discrimination based on race, color, or national origin to include discriminating against certain facial features, hair textures, hair types, and hairstyles associated with race. Also contains an exception for policies needed to protect the health, or safety, of an employee.

Under this proposal, audio-visual recordings by body-worn cameras could be shared with listed third parties, regardless of whether a civil or criminal action is pending.

Assault rifles, as defined in this legislation, could not be sold to anyone less than twenty years old.

All guns manufactured in this state would have to be equipped with electronic chips that identify their owners.

Law enforcement officers would no longer stop motor vehicles solely because of a broken tail light, or any other motor vehicle mechanical defect. Officers would video record these vehicles instead, then issue tickets to be sent to owners by United States mail. Vehicle owners showing that repairs are completed prior to any court date would have their citations dismissed.

This bill would enhance penalties for driving a motor vehicle with a canceled, suspended, or revoked driver's license [i.e. DUS] when a suspended driver kills another person while illegally driving. Penalties would include up to 15 years in jail, and/or fines up to $2,500.

The "Second Amendment Preservation Act" prohibits any public funds, personnel, or property to be allocated for the implementation, regulation, or enforcement of any executive order, or directive issued by the President of the United States, or any act of the United States Congress. It would become effective after January 1, 2020. It includes all regulations about owning, using, or possessing firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories.

Provides a minimum 10-year jail term for each bullet unlawfully fired from a gun, when a shooter kills someone.

Sex offenders would be required to report the names and addresses of their minor children to the court. They could not have any contact with their children until specified prerequisites are met. Solicitors would have to provide non-offending parents with information about safe guarding minors from sex offenders.

Law enforcement agencies, or officers, could not install, activate, or use any biometric surveillance systems on their cameras. They also could not use these systems on data collected by their cameras.

The "Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006" would be updated to include vaping products. Mandatory public school comprehensive tobacco-free campus policies would have to include vaping products.

Establishes a criminal penalty for the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession of vaping products that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Penalties are also included for tampering with these products.

Establishes pre-arrest diversion programs in each judicial circuit for specified juvenile offenses. Requires structured decision-making tools during the juvenile justice process, as well as comprehensive, individualized biopsychosocial assessments. Allows juvenile detentions in approved homes, programs, or facilities-- other than secure juvenile detention facilities. Requires child and family counseling referrals for the status offenses of incorrigibility or being a runaway. Changes the age requirements for transferring criminal cases involving a juvenile to adult jurisdiction. Requires monthly payment schedules for restitution by a child on probation. Family court judges would have additional case disposition, and sentencing, options. This bill would also require the SC Department of Juvenile Justice to establish an administrative sanctions policy and program.

The "Solemn Covenant of the States to Award Prizes for Curing Diseases Act" allows South Carolina to enter into a multistate compact. This compact will facilitate awarding substantial cash prizes to appropriate parties who cure targeted diseases.

Conforms local planning commission appeal procedures to board of zoning appeals procedures.

Prohibits any unauthorized person from collecting voted, or unvoted, absentee ballots.

Elections chairpersons, clerks, and managers would be paid no less than $15 an hour while attending compulsory training and working general election days.

All voting systems used in South Carolina would have to use paper ballots tabulated by optical scanners. Beginning with the 2022 general election cycle, the State Election Commission, in conjunction with county boards of voter registration and elections, would conduct postelection risk-limiting audits.

The "Poll Workers Compensation Study Committee" will review compensation and benefits available to poll workers and make recommendations to the General Assembly for any needed adjustments.

Increases the maximum fines for vandalizing or removing political campaign signs from $100 to $300. This bill also allows political sign placements on state highway rights of way for limited periods, so long as they comply with placement restrictions.

The "South Carolina Defend the Guard Act" requires the Governor to conduct a legal review, and revocation, of all existing and future orders that call, transfer, or place the South Carolina National Guard, or any of its subordinate commands, units, or personnel in federal active duty or under federal control. Once this review is completed, the Governor will submit a report to the General Assembly summarizing all findings and proposed, or completed, actions. This report is designated a public document.

The question on this referendum ballot would ask whether the state constitution should be amended. The amendment would allow the General Assembly to restrict the sale of certain products, substances, or services it determines to be unreasonably hazardous, perilous, or unsafe only to persons over the age of 21.

Local planning commissions would have to have local comprehensive plans with a resiliency element. These elements examine the effects of flooding, high water, and other natural hazards on proposed or existing construction, infrastructure, or other improvements.

Restaurants would be able to enter into agreements, with churches or charitable organizations, to feed needy individuals with donated prepared, or unprepared, food. This donated food would be exempt from legal liability or health code violations, so long as no gross negligence or recklessness occurs in the process.

Service contract providers could not classify a defect, not discovered before the effective date of the service contract, as a preexisting condition. This legislation sets out criminal penalties for service provider violations.

Pursuant to a petition by affected landowners, this legislation alters the county line between Horry and Georgetown counties. It annexes a certain portion of Georgetown County into Horry County. Sets out the legal records necessary to reflect this re-established boundary.

Our SC Geodetic Survey agency responsibilities-- obtaining historical documents from affected parties, giving notice to county elected officials, and administrative law court appeals process, procedures, and practices-- would all be clarified in this proposed bill.

This proposal would set up limited public forums for students to speak about otherwise permissible subjects, specifically religious viewpoints, on school campuses. It also would require the State Board of Education to adopt a model policy that could be used statewide to accomplish these stated goals. As a final feature, it would allow school faculty and employees to engage in religious events, practices, and conversations on school campuses.

Prevents a court, or other such authority, from enforcing foreign laws from outside of the United States, or its territories, to deprive South Carolina citizens of their constitutionally protected rights.

Enacts the "Forming Open and Robust University Minds (Forum) Act of 2020." This proposal sets out measures to protect expressions by students, and student organizations, on post-secondary public institution of higher learning campuses.

Definitions of "injury" and "personal injury" in workers' compensation cases would include "first responders." Modifies the prerequisites to first responders receiving workers' compensation payments for personal injuries caused by stress, mental injury, or mental illness. Adds mental illness to related conditions that may be compensable if they result from significant traumatic experiences.

Unlawful trade practices would include anyone making bad faith assertions of copyright infringement.

Allow persons charged with specific offenses to petition to have their charges dismissed if not disposed within a specified time. Once charges are dismissed, records of them can be destroyed.

The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act definitions public bodies would include legislative caucuses under this proposed legislation. It also repeals an existing exemption from disclosing documents, papers, and memoranda in the possession of General Assembly members, or their immediate staffers.

Defines "great bodily injury." Creates a criminal offense of reckless driving causing in great bodily injury. Violators would face up to 3 years in jail and/or fines of up to $1,000.

Increases penalties imposed upon motorists causing wrecks with injuries--but not great bodily injuries or deaths--when these injuries are due to failing to move their wrecked vehicles out of lanes of travel. Violators face 30 days up to 5 years in jail, and/or fines up to $2,500.

Creates a new South Carolina Department of Law Enforcement and Public Safety. The Governor would appoint its director, with the advice and consent of the Senate. This proposed legislation combines our State Law Enforcement Division with the Department of Public Safety, and revises all applicable code sections to this effect.

Failure to stop a motor vehicle when signaled by law enforcement penalties are toughened in this bill. If passed, all offenses under this criminal code section would be felony offenses, and no longer give any sentencing breaks to first offenders. All violators would face up to 5 years in jail.

The "Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006" is updated to expand the term "tobacco products" to cover electronic smoking devices, papers, and other related smoking paraphernalia. Also requires the South Carolina Department of Revenue to conduct at least two minimum-age-sales compliance checks at tobacco retail establishments each year. Sales of these items shifts from individuals to these retail outlets. Updates mandatory public school comprehensive tobacco-free campus policies to conform.

The "South Carolina Child Abuse Response Protocol Act" would involve multidisciplinary teams in child abuse investigations and prosecutions. They would follow specified child abuse response protocols. Establishes an advisory committee to review and update these protocols. Requires children's advocacy centers to hold accreditation status, or to be actively pursuing accreditation.

Authorizes the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children to continue its work through December 31, 2030.

The Department of Social Services [SCDSS]--working in conjunction with its county departments--would be required to conduct studies of our homeless populations. They would also assess the availability and capacities of homeless shelters. As part of this review, they would determine the feasibility of using tent-like temporary shelters for overflow demands for services. Results of these DSS reviews would be public. They will be reported to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 31, 2021.

To decriminalize the possession of twenty-eight grams, or one ounce, or less of marijuana or ten grams or less of hashish, law enforcement would issue civil citations in place of criminal charges. This citation could be used so long as no violent crime has been committed at the same time as this possession offense.

In order to file any name change applications, petitioners would have to have lived in South Carolina for at least six months prior to their filing date.

Would repeal the historical prohibition against alimony awards when adultery has been committed before formally signing a settlement agreement, or filing a court approval order. Instead, family court judges would have the discretion to consideration the circumstances surrounding any such acts of adultery prior to ruling on alimony requests.

Law enforcement would have to comply with specified procedures before interrogating children taken into their custody. They include informing children of their right to remain silent, that their statements can be used against them in court, that their parent or guardian can be present, that they have a right to an attorney, and other rights incident to minors being taken into custody.

Prohibits manufacturing, selling, possessing, or distributing vaping products in South Carolina. Makes conforming changes to related code sections, including the Youth Access to Tobacco Products Act of 2006. Depending on the number of the offense, violators face fines ranging from $200 to $500, and jail terms of up to 30 days.

The "South Carolina Biometric Data Privacy Act" puts restrictions on businesses that collect consumers' biometric information. In addition, consumers can request these businesses delete the biometric information that has been collected. Prohibits the sale of biometric information when consumers direct that it be kept private. As a final provision, consumers who so opt out their information cannot be discriminated against by these businesses.

Bakeries using alcoholic beverages as ingredients, can obtain licenses to operate their bakeries even if they do not have direct control over the premises where the baking is done. In order to be licensed; however, these bakers must show they have legal access to the baking premises.

The "South Carolina Data Privacy Act" requires a search warrant before certain electronic data may be seized by any law enforcement agency. As part of this process, law enforcement must notify electronic device owners about the data, or information, specified in the search warrant. Prohibits law enforcement from collecting certain information from third parties without a search warrant. Information obtained in violation of this Act could not be used for any purpose. This proposed legislation would not apply to wire or oral communications, tone-only pagers, or electronic funds transfer data. In addition, the SC Departments of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services; Corrections; and Juvenile Justice are exempt from this proposal.

This bill increases the minimum funding appropriations for the Insurance Fraud Division of the Office of Attorney General from two hundred thousand dollars to four hundred thousand dollars.

This bill requires certain professionals regulated by a board or commission administered by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to obtain certain minimum coverage amounts of professional liability insurance or general liability insurance. Should a board or commission require its licensees to have such coverage in greater amounts than required in this legislation, the greater amount applies.

This bill revises the Safe Cremation Act's cremation authorizations and procedures to provide for a notice requirement prior to cremation.

This bill authorizes the RichlandLexington Airport Commission to make application to the ForeignTrade Zones Board for the purpose of establishing, operating, and maintaining foreigntrade zones in Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter counties, under the federal ForeignTrade Zones Act. The legislation affords the RichlandLexington Airport Commission certain regulatory authority and allows the commission to own, erect, maintain, and operate buildings in a foreigntrade zone.

This bill revises the "Utility Facility Siting and Environmental Protection Act" protocol for approving wind energy facilities to involve the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission and the Department of Defense Siting Clearinghouse as a means of insuring that the turbines and towers of a proposed wind energy generation facility will not have adverse impacts on military operations and readiness by interfering with such areas as training routes, drop zones, approaches to runways, radar sites, and bombing ranges.

This bill requires the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism to facilitate the charging of electric vehicles at all state welcome centers. The Department of Transportation is required to provide these charging facilities at all state-operated rest areas. The legislation directs the Attorney General to request a waiver from the United States Secretary of Transportation that is necessary for South Carolina's installation of these commercial electrical outlets, battery charging stations, or battery exchange stations. If the waiver is not granted, the provisions of this legislation become null and void.

This bill revises provisions relating to the nonrenewal of a homeowners insurance policy, so as to prohibit an insurer from raising the rates of a homeowners insurance policy due to a claim for damages resulting from the fault of someone other than the insured.

This bill provides that, beginning January 1, 2021, every health maintenance organization, individual and group health insurance policy, or insurance contract issued or renewed in this state must provide coverage for an epinephrine injector. The legislation directs South Carolina's Public Employee Benefit Authority to require the group health plan to cover epinephrine autoinjector devices.

This bill provides that it is unlawful for a public utility, or a third party authorized by a public utility to accept payments for utility bills on behalf of the public utility, to collect an additional service fee from a consumer's payment. A public utility or third party who violates these provisions must be fined one thousand dollars for each offense.

This bill revises provisions governing property that is exempt from attachment, levy, and sale, so as to provide that a debtor's interest in real property used as a primary residence may not be sold if the action was instituted by a homeowners association attempting to collect unpaid dues, fees, or fines. The legislation revises provisions relating to the enforceability of a homeowners association's governing documents, so as to prohibit the enforceability of a provision granting a homeowners association the authority to foreclose on property. The legislation includes a provision to prohibit a foreclosure action not authorized by statute.

This bill enacts the "South Carolina Predatory Practice Protection Act" to prohibit an agent of a forprofit college from advertising without disclosing certain information. The legislation charges the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs with conducting an annual audit of a forprofit college. The legislation provides that the debt a student incurs at a forprofit college cannot be used against a public college or technical school for accreditation purposes. The legislation requires a shortterm loan lender to provide a financial literacy course before making a shortterm loan or undertaking collection actions after a default on a shortterm loan. The legislation requires a lender to establish a good faith belief that the borrower can afford the shortterm loan based on certain factors, and sets a limit for the annual percentage rate for a shortterm loan. Penalties are provided for violations.

This bill establishes requirements for a liquid petroleum gas dealer or reseller to provide customers with a delivery ticket when delivering liquid petroleum gas to a residential or commercial customer. The ticket requirements do not apply to liquid petroleum gas delivered to the customer by means of pipeline or deliveries of fewer than twenty pounds of liquid petroleum gas.

This bill enacts the "Employment First Initiative Act" to establish policies supportive of competitive and integrated employment of individuals with disabilities and provide for related responsibilities for state agencies and political subdivisions of the state. The legislation creates the "South Carolina Employment First Oversight Commission", and provides for the composition, function, and duties of the commission.

This bill enhances restrictions that prohibit former Public Service Commission members from being employed or retained by public utilities by increasing the prohibition period from one year to three years following service as a commissioner.

This bill revises provisions relating to improper insurance claims practices, so as to provide that all insurers, including insurers of the state, an agency, a political subdivision, or a governmental entity, owe to their insured the duty of good faith and fair dealing, including the duty to settle claims arising under its policies.

This bill provides authorization for banking institutions to decline certain financial transaction requests in cases of suspected financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, and for other purposes.

This bill enhances restrictions that prohibit former Public Service Commission members from being employed or retained by public utilities by increasing the prohibition period from one year to four years following service as a commissioner.

This bill allows a tenant who is the victim of domestic violence, harassment, stalking, certain other crimes to request a new lock. The legislation provides a procedure if the perpetrator of the crime is a tenant, to allow a victim of domestic violence to terminate a rental agreement under certain circumstances. The legislation prohibits a landlord from undertaking certain actions.

This bill revises grounds for disciplinary action against a licensed perpetual care cemetery company, so as to provide that a company may be disciplined for failing to accommodate timely burials after a funeral service. The legislation provides that it is unprofessional conduct for a funeral director to arrange a funeral service without scheduling a timely burial of the remains of the deceased person.

Each year, each county must publish and distribute a document that identifies locations within the county where a homeless or needy person may go to receive shelter, health care, food, and other humanitarian assistance. The document must be made available in county offices that are frequently visited by homeless and needy persons, as determined by the county.

Under certain conditions, the State Board of Examiners in Optometry may issue a restricted volunteer license to an optometrist to treat only patients who have no insurance or who are not eligible for financial assistance for optometric services.

The bill outlines that pharmacists may administer influenza vaccines to persons of any age without the order of a practitioner.

Upon license renewal, all persons licensed by the board as cosmetologists, nail technicians, and estheticians must show satisfactory evidence of having successfully completed three hours of instruction in regulations, health, safety, and sanitation.

Currently the law requires death certificates to be transmitted electronically between the funeral home director and the physician and/or others, with some exemptions. This bill deletes the exemption for physicians who certify fewer than twelve deaths annually for transmitting electronically.

This bill outlines that a prescriber shall offer a prescription for naloxone hydrochloride or another drug approved by the USDA for the complete or partial reversal of opioid depression to a patient under certain conditions and for other purposes.

About 700 women die each year in the United States from childbirth, and another 50,000 suffer from severe complications. South Carolina's maternal mortality rate is the eighth highest in the country with 26.5 percent of mothers dying from pregnancy complications for every 100,000 births, compared to the national average of 20.7 percent. As a result, the "South Carolina Dignity In Pregnancy and Childbirth Act" requires perinatal health care providers to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program to train health care staff on various components. The bill outlines those components and specific requirements for the program.

In order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients, staff, and visitors, the owner of an officebased practice shall conduct an annual risk assessment to identify potential areas or situations that may cause harm or where an incident may occur. The risk assessment must include consultation with local law enforcement and local public safety officials about any trends in violent crime or other threats to public safety in the workplace. Office-based practices are outpatient settings rather than in a hospital or another inpatient setting.

A person under the age of eighteen years is prohibited from undergoing gender reassignment medical treatment in the State of South Carolina. "Gender reassignment medical treatment" means any health care to facilitate the transitioning of a patient's assigned gender identity to the gender identity experienced and defined by the patient.

The bill establishes a Committee to study certain issues affecting veterans. The committee is comprised of three members of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

This bill is an effort to help veterans access jobs, higher education, health care, and housing. The South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs must produce monthly electronic reports of workforce need projections by industry, job type, geography, and required credentials. The report must highlight indemand industries, job types, and required credentials by geographic area.

In order to operate a mobile barbershop, a barber shall apply to the board for a mobile barbershop permit. The barber shall submit a permit application and fee in the form and manner prescribed by the board. "Mobile barbershop" means a selfcontained unit in which the practice of barbering is conducted, which may be moved, towed, or transported from one location to another.

In addition to other requirements for the purpose of determining an applicant's eligibility for the initial licensure as a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant, the department may require a state criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and a national criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This bill requires that every public building , or any agency, office, department, division, commission, or institution thereof, including state and local correctional and prison facilities, must supply feminine hygiene products in each female public restroom, free of charge.

A health insurance plan that provides coverage for intravenously administered or injected chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer must provide coverage for orally administered chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer on a basis no less favorable than the intravenously administered or injected chemotherapy, regardless of the formulation or benefit category determination by the insurer.

Every hospital emergency department, including every freestanding emergency service, must install and maintain at least two exterior video recording devices at the patient dropoff location to record a clear image of the driver and any passengers of every motor vehicle dropping off a patient for emergency care, as well as a clear image of the license plate of the motor vehicle, which shows the date and time the recording was made.

This bill enacts the "South Carolina Opportunity Zone Enhancement Act of 2020". The legislation provides a state income tax credit to taxpayers investing in new projects in an area located in this state that qualifies as an Opportunity Zone under federal Internal Revenue Code provisions. The legislation allows a taxpayer eligible for a federal lowincome housing tax credit to claim a lowincome state tax credit, if the property is located in designated Opportunity Zones in this state. The legislation provides for an additional jobs tax credit for full-time jobs created in Tier III and Tier IV counties within designated Opportunity Zones. The legislation provides for a sales tax rebate and credit to a grocery store vendor that locates a store in an Opportunity Zone in an area that is defined as a "food desert". The legislation directs the Department of Commerce to establish a grant program to provide nonrecurring aid to taxpayers investing in new projects in a designated Opportunity Zone in Tier III or Tier IV counties on a priority basis. A South Carolina Opportunity Zone Leadership Task Force is established within the Department of Commerce.

This bill revises provisions governing the expenditure of the state accommodations tax, local hospitality tax, and local accommodations tax to allow the revenue to be expended for the control and repair of flooding and drainage at tourismrelated lands or areas.

This bill provides a tax exemption for all property devoted to housing low income residents if the property is owned by an instrumentality of a nonprofit housing corporation or owned by an entity that provides low income housing and is controlled by an instrumentality of a nonprofit housing corporation. The legislation establishes a tax exemption for property owned by an entity that provides low income housing and is controlled by an instrumentality of a housing authority.

This bill revises the earnings limitation upon return to covered employment in the South Carolina Retirement System and the South Carolina Police Officers Retirement System, so as to increase the amount that may be earned without affecting the monthly retirement allowance from ten thousand dollars to forty thousand dollars.

This bill revises the earnings limitation upon return to covered employment in the South Carolina Retirement System and the South Carolina Police Officers Retirement System, so as to increase the amount that may be earned without affecting the monthly retirement allowance from ten thousand dollars to twenty thousand dollars.

This bill enacts the "South Carolina Malls Revitalization Act" to provide certain tax credits for rehabilitating certain malls by making them more of a mixeduse, mixedincome, pedestrianoriented area.

This bill makes provisions for a state tax credit afforded to U.S. manufacturers hiring an unemployed individual receiving unemployment compensation benefits.

This bill creates the Fallen First Responder Survivor Advocate position within the Department of Administration. The Advocate is charged with immediately notifying survivors of fallen first responders of the availability of an advocate to advise and assist them with regard to any and all issues that arise as a result of the death of their family member including mental health counseling, life insurance, health insurance, special death benefits, workers' compensation benefits, educational benefits, social security and other federal benefits, and, state property tax exemptions.

This bill makes provisions for the levying, assessment, collection, and payment of certain taxes on vapor products.

This bill enacts the "Female Health and Wellness Act" to establish a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products.

This bill eliminates provisions that allow a county governing body to impose surcharges on taxes paid with credit cards, debit cards, or electronic forms of payment, and, instead, revises tax payment method provisions to prohibit a county governing body from imposing a surcharge for the acceptance of a particular medium of payment.

This bill allows counties imposing legacy countywide hospitality fees by ordinance to replace the original dedication of the use of these fee revenues by dedicating the revenues for use in the county to provide interstate highway infrastructure, interstate highway interchanges, and building or improving roads that directly connect with interstate highways. The legislation provides for the use of these fee revenues when there are no viable interstate highway projects or related improvements remaining in the county. The legislation allows counties imposing legacy hospitality fees to use revenues of the local accommodations and local hospitality taxes they impose in unincorporated areas for the same uses as the rededicated revenues of the legacy hospitality fee. The legislation allows a county which has enacted an ordinance changing the dedication of a legacy hospitality fee revenue, by ordinance to assume the administration, collection, enforcement, and distribution of the local accommodations taxes and the local hospitality taxes imposed by municipalities in the county. These tax revenues generated in each of the county's municipalities must be distributed to the generating municipalities no less than quarterly.

This bill provides for the reorganization of the Board of Trustees that governs the University of South Carolina so that the board is composed of: two atlarge members appointed by the Governor; two at-large members elected by a general vote of the General Assembly; seven members consisting of one member from each of the seven congressional districts to be elected by a general vote of the General Assembly; and, the President of the Greater University of South Carolina Alumni Association, who shall serve in an ex officio capacity, or, if the president is not a South Carolina resident, his designee, who must be a resident of this state serving as an officer of the alumni association. The legislation provides for a new schedule of staggered terms of office for board members beginning in July 2021. Provisions are made for the chairman of the board of trustees to serve for a twoyear term and serve no more than two terms as chairman. The ex officio board positions for the Governor and the State Superintendent of Education are eliminated. With the elimination of the Governor's ex officio board membership, revisions are made to the provisions that govern presiding over board meetings and the calling of special meetings of the board of trustees.

This bill creates the "South Carolina Opioid Prevention Trust Fund" and establishes pilot programs with rural communitybased nonprofits to provide services to combat the opioid crisis through counseling services to opioid abusers. The legislation provides for the General Assembly to make annual appropriations to the trust fund and authorizes the fund to receive donations and grants from public and private sources.

This bill allows a teacher who purchases school supplies and materials to claim an income tax credit up to five hundred dollars.

This bill requires local school boards of trustees to increase teachers' salaries by twenty percent using the district salary schedule used for the 20192020 School Year as the basis for providing the increase.

This bill establishes a property tax exemption to cover any amount of value added as a result of the countywide appraisal and equalization program on the primary residence of an individual who is eligible for the homestead exemption or has an annual income of less than fifty thousand dollars, and whose property value increased due to the increase in value of surrounding properties.

This bill revises the limitation placed on millage rate increases to authorize the governing body of a county, by a positive majority vote, to adopt an ordinance or resolution, to suspend the millage rate limitation for the purpose of supporting a fire protection district.

This bill establishes a state individual income tax deduction for those who have served as volunteer first responders that is equal to twenty dollars for each hour a person serves without pay up to a maximum of forty thousand dollars for the tax year.

This bill revises deductions on capital gains allowed under individual income taxes, so as to provide for a one hundred percent exemption on any capital gain recognized from the sale of gold, silver, platinum bullion, or any combination of this bullion.

This joint resolution creates the temporary South Carolina Repository Study Committee to determine the feasibility and efficacy of the establishment of a repository in this State to store gold, silver, platinum bullion, and any combination of this bullion for the State's reserves and for investments made by the State and its political subdivisions, including the Retirement System Investment Commission. The legislation provides for the study committee's composition and directs the committee to committee shall issue a report of its findings to the General Assembly by January 15, 2021, at which time the committee is dissolved.

This bill revises provisions relating to the Volunteer Strategic Assistance and Fire Equipment Program so as to: simplify the definition of fire departments and the projects on which grant funds may be expended; increase VSAFE Program grant amounts; and, specify projects for which grants may be awarded. The legislation revises provisions for insurance premium taxes, so as to direct additional funds to the VSAFE Program, and revises provisions relating to the additional depreciation reimbursement, so as to direct a percentage of such funds to the VSAFE Program.

This bill enacts the "South Carolina CommercialProperty Assessed Clean Energy Act" (CPACE) to provide that governing bodies may establish a district by adoption of an ordinance for the purpose of promoting, encouraging, and facilitating clean energy improvements within its geographic area. The legislation provides that members of the district and owners of qualifying real property may voluntarily execute a written agreement to participate in the CommercialProperty Assessed Clean Energy Program. The legislation authorizes the governing body to impose an assessment on the qualifying real property, and provides that the assessment constitutes a CPACE lien against the qualifying real property until paid subject to the consent of existing mortgagees. The legislation provides for how clean energy improvements may be financed, and specifies that clean energy improvements must meet all applicable safety, performance, interconnection, and reliability standards.

This bill adds the newly-created "Workforce Record Expungement Affordability Fund" to the list included on the state's income tax form that taxpayers may use to make voluntary contributions deducted from their refunds. The legislation revises the process for an expungement of a general sessions charge, so as to reduce the fee an applicant is required to pay from two hundred fifty dollars to one hundred fifty dollars. Each solicitor's office is required to establish a "Workforce Record Expungement Affordability Fund" to defray the costs of expungement.

IS AT LEAST SEVENTY YEARS OLD Rep. S. Williams

This bill establishes a property tax exemption equal to one hundred percent of the value subject to tax of an owneroccupied residence if the owner has attained the age of seventy years.