South Carolina General Assembly
125th Session, 2023-2024

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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

S. 419

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Grooms
Companion/Similar bill(s): 3686, 4042
Document Path: LC-0106DG23.docx

Introduced in the Senate on January 19, 2023
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary

Summary: Anti-semitism

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date Body Action Description with journal page number
1/19/2023 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 3)
1/19/2023 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 3)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

01/19/2023



A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-1710 SO AS TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK IN WHICH ANTI-SEMITISM IS CONSIDERED for ALL LAWS PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATORY ACTS, AND TO EDUCATE STATE PERSONNEL AND OFFICIALS ON ANTI-SEMITISM.

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

SECTION 1.   Chapter 1, Title 1 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Article 27

   Anti-Semitism

   Section 1-1-1710.   (A)   For purposes of this section, the term "definition of anti-Semitism":

      (1)   includes the definition of anti-Semitism adopted on May 26, 2016, by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which has been adopted by the United States Department of State;

      (2)   includes contemporary examples of anti-Semitism identified by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance; and

      (3)   does not include criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country.

   (B)   Nothing in this section may be construed to:

      (1)   diminish or infringe upon any rights protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Section 2, Article 1 of the South Carolina Constitution, 1895; or

      (2)   conflict with federal, state, or local discrimination laws.

   (C)   In reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has been a violation of any relevant policy, law, or regulation prohibiting discriminatory acts, the State shall take into consideration the definition of anti-Semitism set forth in law for purposes of determining whether the alleged act was motivated by discriminatory anti-Semitic intent. A court or other relevant authority shall apply the same legal standard as applicable to like claims of discrimination arising under the laws of this State protecting civil rights, including Chapter 13 of this title.

   (D)   For purposes of educating state personnel on issues related to discrimination, diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-bias training, the definition of anti-Semitism must be used and incorporated as an educational tool to familiarize personnel and officials with anti-Semitism in all of its manifestations.

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

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This web page was last updated on May 28, 2024 at 12:24 PM