Amended

April 09, 2024

 

H. 5144

 

Introduced by Reps. B. J. Cox, Elliott, Wooten and Caskey

 

S. Printed 04/09/24--H.

Read the first time February 27, 2024

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-5-105 SO AS TO CREATE THE SCHOOL MAPPING DATA PROGRAM WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF FACILITATING EFFICIENT EMERGENCY RESPONSES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES, TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION BY THE DEPARTMENT, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

    Amend Title To Conform

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 5, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 59-5-105.  (A) For purposes of this section, "school mapping data" means information collected pursuant to this section in an electronic or a digital format and provided to assist first responders in responding to emergencies at school.

    (B)(1) To facilitate efficient emergency responses in public schools by public safety agencies in this State, the School Mapping Data Program is established as a statewide initiative within the State Department of Education. Subject to funding, the department shall contract with a vendor to provide school mapping data for each public school in the State, including charter schools and special schools. The data must be provided to each school district and charter school authorizer for the schools within their respective jurisdictions, local law enforcement agencies, and public safety agencies for use in response to emergencies. For purposes of this section, emergencies include, but are not limited to, any event in which a law enforcement officer, firefighter, rescue squad, emergency medical service provider, public safety telecommunicator, or any other emergency management provider may respond.

        (2) In addition to requirements set forth by the Department and in consultation with the Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence within the State Law Enforcement Division, school mapping data must:

            (a) be compatible with software platforms used by local, county, state, and federal public safety agencies that provide emergency services to the specific school for which the data is provided without requiring such agencies to purchase additional software or requiring a fee to view or access the data;

           (b) be compatible with security software platforms in use by the specific school for which the data is provided without requiring the local law enforcement agencies or school districts to purchase additional software or requiring a fee to view or access the data; and

            (c) provide that any updates to school mapping data as defined by this section must be accessible within software platforms used by local, county, state, and federal public safety agencies that provide emergency services to the specific school.

    (C) The State Department of Education must pay annual maintenance fees to update school maps to ensure the floor plans and aerial imagery are accurate and up-to-date.

    (D) School mapping data provided to each school district, local law enforcement agencies, and public safety agencies for use in response to emergencies must be regarded as confidential information and not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act as contained in Chapter 4, Title 30.

 

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

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