South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Download This Bill in Microsoft Word Format

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

H. 3247

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Haddon, Pope, Spann-Wilder, Garvin, Pedalino, Chumley, Bowers, Hixon, Yow, Mitchell, Ligon, Rivers and Govan
Document Path: LC-0045WAB25.docx

Introduced in the House on January 14, 2025
Introduced in the Senate on February 18, 2025
Last Amended on March 4, 2025
Currently residing in the House

Summary: Excused school absences

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date Body Action Description with journal page number
12/5/2024 House Prefiled
12/5/2024 House Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
1/14/2025 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 143)
1/14/2025 House Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works (House Journal-page 143)
2/6/2025 House Committee report: Favorable Education and Public Works (House Journal-page 14)
2/11/2025 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Bowers
2/11/2025 Scrivener's error corrected
2/12/2025 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hixon, Yow, Mitchell, Ligon
2/12/2025 House Debate adjourned until Thur., 2-13-25 (House Journal-page 92)
2/13/2025 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Rivers, Govan
2/13/2025 House Read second time (House Journal-page 48)
2/13/2025 House Roll call Yeas-106 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 49)
2/13/2025 House Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day (House Journal-page 50)
2/18/2025 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 7)
2/18/2025 Senate Referred to Committee on Education (Senate Journal-page 7)
2/26/2025 Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment Education (Senate Journal-page 17)
3/4/2025 Senate Committee Amendment Adopted (Senate Journal-page 32)
3/4/2025 Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 32)
3/4/2025 Senate Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 32)
3/5/2025 Scrivener's error corrected
3/5/2025 Senate Read third time and returned to House with amendments (Senate Journal-page 24)
3/25/2025 House Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled (House Journal-page 67)
3/25/2025 House Roll call Yeas-112 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 67)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

12/05/2024
02/06/2025
02/11/2025
02/26/2025
03/04/2025
03/05/2025



Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Amendment Adopted

March 4, 2025

 

H. 3247

 

Introduced by Reps. Haddon, Pope, Spann-Wilder, Garvin, Pedalino, Chumley, Bowers, Hixon, Yow, Mitchell, Ligon, Rivers and Govan

 

S. Printed 3/4/25--S.                                                                              [SEC 3/5/2025 12:14 PM]

Read the first time February 18, 2025

 

________


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-462 SO AS TO EXCUSE ABSENCES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WHEN PARTICIPATING IN CERTAIN WORK-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES INCLUDING ORGANIZED COMPETITIONS OR EXHIBITIONS OF Future farmers of america (FFA) ORGANIZATIONS OR 4-H PROGRAMS, AND TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING AND COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS MISSED DURING SUCH EXCUSED ABSENCES.

    Amend Title To Conform

 

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

 

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

 

    Section 59-1-462.  Each school district shall adopt a policy that authorizes a student to be excused from school absences, not to exceed ten school days per school year, to participate in a Career and Technical Student Organization experience in which student participation and learning outcomes are directed by a certified teacher for assessment of competencies. Participation in such Career and Technical Student Organization experience may include, but is not limited to, scheduled events of state-level Future Farmers of America (FFA) organizations, the national FFA organization, and 4-H programs as part of organized competitions or exhibitions. The student and his parent or legal guardian are responsible for obtaining and completing assignments missed while the student participates in any such Career and Technical Student Organization experiences.

 

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

----XX----

This web page was last updated on March 5, 2025 at 12:15 PM