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TO AMEND SECTION 59-29-120, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO REQUISITE STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND OTHER TEXTS REFLECTING THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS AND PUBLICLY SUPPORTED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION MAY IDENTIFY RELATED RECOMMENDED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND TO REMOVE A LOYALTY OATH, AMONG OTHER THINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-29-130, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT THESE SUBJECTS BE GIVEN FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR, SO AS TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENT FOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 59-29-140 RELATING TO THE ROLE OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION TO ENFORCE THESE STUDY REQUIREMENTS AND PRESCRIBE SUITABLE TESTS, AND SECTION 59-29-150 RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THESE PROVISIONS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 59-29-120(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(A) All public high schools, colleges, and universities in this State that are sustained or in any manner supported by public funds and all public institutions of higher learning, as defined in Section 59-103-5, shall give instruction in the essentials of the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers, including the study of and devotion to American institutions and ideals, and no student in any such school, college, or university or public institution of higher learning may receive a certificate of graduation without previously passing a satisfactory examination upon the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers, and, if a citizen of the United States, satisfying the examining power of his loyalty thereto. A listing of recommended instructional materials may be identified by the Commission on Higher Education working in conjunction with the colleges and universities."
SECTION 2. Section 59-29-130 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-29-130. The instruction provided for in Section 59-29-120 shall must be given:
(1) for at least one year of the in high school, college and university grades, respectively; and
(2) at least once during the matriculation of undergraduate students in public institutions of higher learning as part of their degree requirement."
SECTION 3. Section 59-29-140 and Section 59-29-150 of the 1976 Code are repealed.
SECTION 4. The provisions contained in Section 59-29-130 must apply to the first incoming freshman class, and each freshman class thereafter, entering a public institution of higher learning after the effective date of this act. Nothing contained in Section 59-29-130 may be continued to prevent an undergraduate student enrolled in a public institution of higher learning on the effective date of this act from receiving a certificate of graduation.
SECTION 5. This act takes effect one year after approval by the Governor.
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