A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-680 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING MAY NOT condition or PROMISE ADMISSIONS OR BENEFITS TO CERTAIN APPLICANTS FOR CERTAIN SUPPORT OR DISAGREEMENTS WITH CERTAIN STATEMENTS REGARDING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, OR ASSOCIATED ISSUES.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Article 2, Chapter 101, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 59-101-680.  (A) For the purposes of this section, "public institution of higher learning" means any state-supported, post-secondary educational institution and includes technical and comprehensive educational institutions.

    (B) In determining admissions or employment decisions, a public institution of higher learning may not condition or promise admission, benefits, or promote differential treatment to an applicant for admission, or hiring or promotion to a faculty member, on the applicant's or faculty member's commitment to or making a declaration of personal support for or disagreement with any political ideology or movement, including a promise or statement regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, or other associated political issues. A public institution of higher learning may not ask for or demand any such promise or declaration from an applicant or a faculty member.

    (C) If a public institution of higher learning receives a promise or declaration describing a commitment to any political ideology or movement, including a promise or declaration regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, or other associated political issues, it may not promote differential treatment, grant or deny admission or benefits to a student, or hiring or promotion to a faculty member, based on the opinions expressed in the promise or declaration.

    (D) Nothing in this section prohibits a public institution of higher learning from complying with federal law or acting against a student, professor, or employee for violations of federal or state law or requiring a student, professor, or employee to comply with federal or state law, including antidiscrimination laws.

 

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

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