South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 857

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

January 16, 2008

S. 857

Introduced by Senators McConnell, Peeler, Grooms, Campsen, O'Dell, Alexander, Scott, Elliott and Ceips

S. Printed 1/16/08--S.

Read the first time January 8, 2008.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 857) to amend Section 1-1-696, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the State's official language, so as to provide that after July 1, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting therein the following:

/    SECTION    1.    Section 1-1-696 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 1-1-696.    (A)    The English language is the official language of the State of South Carolina.

(B)    Except as provided for in Section 1-1-698, after July 1, 2008, all state agencies and political subdivisions of the State shall offer all services, publications, tests, and any other material, whether in printed, audio, or video format, only in an English language format unless otherwise required by federal law or regulation, or as provided for in subsection (C).

(C)    State agencies and political subdivisions of the State may offer services, publications, tests, and any other material, whether in printed, audio, or video format, in a language other than the English language when prepared or offered:

(1)    by institutions of higher learning to meet the academic or other purposes of their missions;

(2)    to protect the health or safety of any citizen;

(3)    to promote trade, tourism, or commerce;

(4)    to use proper names, terms of art, or phrases from languages other than the English language;

(5)    to protect the rights of victims of crime or criminal defendants; or

(6)    by the South Carolina Educational Television Network (ETV) for educational purposes only.

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

Amend title to conform.

JAMES H. RITCHIE, JR. for Committee.

            

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 1-1-696, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE STATE'S OFFICIAL LANGUAGE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AFTER JULY 1, 2008, ALL STATE AGENCIES AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE SHALL OFFER ALL SERVICES, PUBLICATIONS, PRINTED, AUDIO AND VIDEO MATERIALS, AND TEST IN AN ENGLISH-ONLY FORMAT UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATION.

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

SECTION    1.    Section 1-1-696 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 1-1-696.    (A)    The English language is the official language of the State of South Carolina.

(B)    Notwithstanding another provision of law, after July 1, 2008, all state agencies and political subdivisions of the state shall offer all services, publications, printed, audio, and video materials, and tests in an English-only format unless otherwise required by federal law or regulation."

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

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