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S. 516
STATUS INFORMATION
Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Senators Massey, Malloy, Cromer, Climer, M. Johnson, K. Johnson, Williams, Rice, Jackson, Adams, Goldfinch, Kimbrell, Garrett, Talley, Bennett, Hembree, Loftis, Campsen, Scott, Turner, McLeod, Matthews, Grooms and Martin
Document Path: l:\s-res\asm\028teac.sp.asm.docx
Companion/Similar bill(s): 520, 3838, 3858, 3886
Introduced in the Senate on February 3, 2021
Introduced in the House on February 10, 2021
Last Amended on February 9, 2021
Currently residing in the House Committee on Ways and Means
Summary: COVID-19, teacher vaccinations
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/3/2021 Senate Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar without
reference (Senate Journal-page 31)
2/4/2021 Scrivener's error corrected
2/4/2021 Senate Amended (Senate Journal-page 16)
2/4/2021 Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 16)
2/9/2021 Senate Amended (Senate Journal-page 11)
2/9/2021 Senate Read third time and sent to House
(Senate Journal-page 11)
2/9/2021 Senate Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 11)
2/10/2021 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 8)
2/10/2021 House Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
(House Journal-page 8)
2/10/2021 Scrivener's error corrected
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
2/3/2021
2/3/2021-A
2/4/2021
2/4/2021-A
2/10/2021
AS PASSED BY THE SENATE
February 9, 2021
S. 516
Introduced by Senators Massey, Malloy, Cromer, Climer, M. Johnson, K. Johnson, Williams, Rice, Jackson, Adams, Goldfinch, Kimbrell, Garrett, Talley, Bennett, Hembree, Loftis, Campsen, Scott, Matthews, Turner, Grooms, McLeod, and Martin
S. Printed 2/9/21--S. [SEC 2/10/21 2:24 PM]
Read the first time February 3, 2021.
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO IDENTIFY CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF AS MISSION-CRITICAL WORKERS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION UNDER PHASE 1a OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO IMPLEMENT A PLAN THAT WILL OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF TO BE FULLY VACCINATED WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS JOINT RESOLUTION, TO PROVIDE THAT EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST OFFER FIVE-DAY, IN-PERSON CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION TO STUDENTS NO LATER THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF HAVE BEEN OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE FULLY VACCINATED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL MUST ENSURE THAT ALL SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE UNDER PHASE 1a OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN WHO HAVE RECEIVED A FIRST VACCINE DOSE AS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS JOINT RESOLUTION ARE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FULL VACCINATION WITHIN THE APPROPRIATE RECOMMENDED TIME PERIOD.
Amend Title To Conform
Whereas, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many school districts to replace in-person classroom instruction with virtual instruction; and
Whereas, virtual instruction is no substitute for in-person classroom instruction; and
Whereas, a COVID-19 vaccine is currently available for distribution in this State for mission-critical workers; and
Whereas, certified teachers and school support staff should be identified as mission-critical because of the vital role they play in the education and development of our state's children; and
Whereas, vaccinating certified teachers and school support staff must not take away any vaccine supply from other mission-critical workers and individuals; and
Whereas, it is imperative that we return students to in-person, five-day classroom instruction as quickly and safely as possible while providing a safe environment for our certified teachers and school support staff. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A). Upon the effective date of this joint resolution, the Department of Health and Environmental Control shall identify certified teachers and school support staff, as defined by the Department of Education, as mission-critical workers and individuals who are eligible for vaccination under Phase 1a of the South Carolina COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.
(B) Every school district must offer five-day, in-person classroom instruction to students no later than the Monday following each school district's scheduled spring break.
(C) A school site may be used as a site to vaccinate certified teachers and school support staff.
(D) Notwithstanding subsection (B), the Department of Health and Environmental Control must ensure that all South Carolina residents who are eligible under Phase 1a of the South Carolina COVID-19 Vaccination Plan who have received a first vaccine dose as of the effective date of this joint resolution are offered the opportunity for full vaccination within the appropriate recommended time period."
SECTION 2. For the purpose of employing any person to serve in the state's public school system while the State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the earnings limitation for retired state employees is increased to fifty thousand dollars until June 30, 2024, provided that the person has been retired for at least two years from the effective date of this joint resolution.
SECTION 3. (A) Upon the effective date of this joint resolution, the Department of Health and Environmental Control shall identify daycare workers as mission-critical workers and individuals who are eligible for vaccination under Phase 1a of the South Carolina COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.
(B) Notwithstanding subsection (A), the Department of Health and Environmental Control must ensure that all South Carolina residents who are eligible under Phase 1a of the South Carolina COVID-19 Vaccination Plan who have received a first vaccine dose as of the effective date of this joint resolution are offered the opportunity for full vaccination within the appropriate recommended time period.
SECTION 4. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on February 11, 2021 at 2:50 PM