A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 59-25-60 so as to PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN TEACHERS IN THIS STATE QUALIFY FOR STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN APPROPRIATIONS..

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

SECTION 1.   Article 1, Chapter 25, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 59-25-60.   (A) After five consecutive years of employment with a school district located in this State, a teacher who graduated from an accredited South Carolina four-year college or university may apply for student loan forgiveness in accordance with the guidelines set out by the department.

   (B) Each year the General Assembly shall appropriate funds from the general fund, as necessary, to fund the student loan forgiveness described in this section.

   (C) The department shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. The department also shall establish guidelines and procedures necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and publish those guidelines and procedures on its website.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to teachers employed by a school district located in this State regardless of the teacher's first day of employment.

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