S 70 — School Board Ethics
Last action — Effective date See Act for Effective Date
-
✓Introduced
-
✓In Committee
-
✓Passed Senate
-
✓Passed House
-
✓To Executive
-
6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 11, 2024. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Henry McMaster (Republican) on May 18, 2026.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
-
Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
-
1 sponsor
1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
-
Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
In plain language
This bill establishes a code of ethics for school board members in South Carolina.
The legislation introduces a code of ethics for school board members in South Carolina and outlines mandatory training requirements for school district trustees. It aims to ensure ethical conduct and proper governance within school boards.
What this means for you
- Families: For families, this means their local school board members are held to ethical standards that promote transparency and accountability.
Summary
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 19, TITLE 59 SO AS TO PROVIDE A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CODE OF ETHICS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 59-19-45, RELATING TO MANDATORY TRAINING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES, SO AS TO REVISE THE TRAINING CONTENT REQUIREMENTS, APPLICABILITY, AND COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS. - RATIFIED TITLE
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
128 added · 59 removed128 line(s) added, 59 removed.
2025-2026 Bill 70 Text of Previous Version (Feb.(Dec.
11, 2026)2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026(Text2025-2026Bill 70Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter Committee Report FebruaryA 11,bill 2026 S.TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-19-710 SO AS TO ENHANCE LOCAL SCHOOL GOVERNANCE;
70 Introduced by Senator Hembree S.
Printed 2/11/26--S.
Read the first time January 14, 2025 ________ The committee on Senate Education To whom was referred a Bill (S.
70) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 59-19-710 so as to enhance local school governance;
by adding Section 59-19-720 so as to provide definitions, etc., respectfully Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-19-720 and inserting:
Section 59-19-720. For the purposes of this article, "board member" means a person holding membership, whether by election or appointment, on a board of education, including a charter school board, charter school authorizer board or the South Carolina Charter School District board, other than the State Board of Education.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-19-730(B)(4) and inserting:
(4) A local school board may not adopt or follow a code of ethics that prevents its members from freely discussing the policies and actions of the board outside of a board meeting except for matters discussed in executive session.
This does not preclude a local school board from adopting a policy in a regularly scheduled meeting that prohibits certain disclosures allowed by law.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 59-19-45(A)(1) and (2) and inserting:
(1) The State Board of EducationDepartment shall adopt a model required training program for training local school board members delivered by the Department or the Department's designee(s).
Every three years, the State Board of EducationDepartment or the Department's designee(s) shall review the training program as it considers necessary and adopt any necessary revisions.
(2)(a) A local school board shall adopt a local training program applicable to that board within three months after adoption of the model training program by the State Board of Education.
A training program must include, at a minimum, the model training program adopted by the State Board of Education.
(b) If the State Board of Education adopts a revision to its training program, then local school boards shall adopt and incorporate the revision into their local training programs within three months of the adoption of the revision by the State Board of Education.
(c) A local school board may only adopt its local training program or any changes to that local training program at a regularly scheduled meeting.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 59-19-45(B) and inserting:
(B) Within one yearsix months of taking office, all persons elected, re-elected, or appointed or reappointed as members of a school district board of trustees after July 1, 1997 regardless of the date of their election, re-election, appointment or reappointment, shall complete successfully the required an orientationa training program in the powers, duties, and responsibilities of a board member including, but not limited to, topics on policy development, personnel, superintendent and board relations, instructional programs, district finance, school law, ethics, nepotism, conflicts of interest, and community relations.
This program must be offered by a districtthe Department or its designee designee(s) and completed by each board member within one year six months after his election, re-election, appointment, or reappointment.
The State Board of Education must keep a record of the school board trustees who complete the training program within the required time.
The State Board of Education shall issue a letter of caution informing any school board trustee who fails to comply with the requirements of this section providing a time in which to cure the noncompliance.
If the school board trustee fails to cure his noncompliance, the State Board of Education shall submit the name of the school board trustee to the Governor for removal under Section 59-19-60.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 59-19-45(D) and inserting:
(D)(C) The provisions of this section also apply to members of county boards of education appointed or elected after July 1, 1997, in the same manner the provisions of this section apply to members of school district boards of trustees.At the beginning of each calendar year, a local school board shall certify compliance with the provisions of subsection (B) and (C) by all board members and publish this certification in the minutes of the next regularly scheduled school board meeting.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 3, by striking Section and inserting:
SECTION 3. Section 59-19-730(A) and Section 59-19-45(A)(1) takes effect upon approval by the Governor but must be completed by December 31, 20252026.
The training program pursuant to Section 59-19-45(B) must be offered by a districtthe Department or its designee designee(s) and completed by each board member within one year after the effective date of this act.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
GREG HEMBREE for Committee.
_______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-19-710 SO AS TO ENHANCE LOCAL SCHOOL GOVERNANCE;
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. ChapterChapter 19, Title 59 of the S.C.
Article 5 School Board Member Code of Ethics Section 59-19-710. Section The59-19-710. purpose of this article is to enhance local school governance by promoting the highest standards of ethical behavior.
The Sectionpurpose 59-19-720. For the purposes of this article,article "boardis member"to meansenhance alocal personschool holdinggovernance membership, whether by electionpromoting or appointment, on a board of education, including a charter school board or the Southhighest Carolinastandards Charter School District board, other than the State Board of Education.ethical behavior.
Show all 66 changed lines (26 more)
Section 59-19-730. Section (A)59-19-720. The State Board of Education shall adopt, and revise as necessary, a model code of ethics for local school board members.
For the purposes of this article, "board member" means a person holding membership, whether by election or appointment, on a board of education, including a charter school board or the South Carolina Charter School District board, other than the State Board of Education.
Section 59-19-730.
(A) The State Board of Education shall adopt, and revise as necessary, a model code of ethics for local school board members.
(B)(1)(B)(1) A local school board shall adopt a local code of ethics applicable to that board within three months after adoption of the model code of ethics by the State Board of Education.
(2) (2) If the State Board of Education adopts a revision to the model code of ethics, then local school boards shall adopt and incorporate the revision into their local code within three months of the adoption of the revision by the State Board of Education.
(3) (3) A local school board may only adopt its local code of ethics or any changes to that local code at a regularly scheduled meeting.
(4) (4) A local school board may not adopt or follow a code of ethics that prevents its members from freely discussing the policies and actions of the board outside of a board meeting.
(5) (5) A local school board shall submit a copy of its local code of ethics and subsequent revisions to the Department of Education within thirty days of adoption.
(6) (6) Nothing contained in this section may be construed to repeal, replace, or preclude application of any other statute.
SECTION 2. SectionSection 59-19-45 of the S.C.
Section Section 59-19-45. (A)(1)(A)(1) The State Board of Education shall adopt a model training program for training local school board members.
(2)(a) (2)(a) A local school board shall adopt a local training program applicable to that board within three months after adoption of the model training program by the State Board of Education.
(b) (b) If the State Board of Education adopts a revision to its training program, then local school boards shall adopt and incorporate the revision into their local training programs within three months of the adoption of the revision by the State Board of Education.
(c) (c) A local school board may only adopt its local training program or any changes to that local training program at a regularly scheduled meeting.
(B)(B) Within one year of taking office, all persons elected, re-elected, or appointed or reappointed as members of a school district board of trustees after July 1, 1997 regardless of the date of their election, re-election, appointment or reappointment, shall complete successfully an orientationa training program in the powers, duties, and responsibilities of a board member including, but not limited to, topics on policy development, personnel, superintendent and board relations, instructional programs, district finance, school law, ethics, nepotism, conflicts of interest, and community relations.
(C)(B)(C)(B) The orientation shall be approved by the State Board of Education and conducted by public or private entities approved by the State Board of Education such as the South Carolina School Boards Association.In addition to meeting other requirements provided by law, a person serving on a local school board shall sign a statement certifying that he understands and is in compliance with the South Carolina ethics law, the applicable local code of ethics, and the training required pursuant to this section.
(D)(C)(D)(C) The provisions of this section also apply to members of county boards of education appointed or elected after July 1, 1997, in the same manner the provisions of this section apply to members of school district boards of trustees.At the beginning of each calendar year, a local school board shall certify compliance with the provisions of subsection (C) by all board members and publish this certification in the minutes of the next regularly scheduled school board meeting.
(D)(D) The provisions of this section do not apply to a school board trustee or county board of education member who was serving in such office on July 1, 1997, and who is continuously reelected or reappointed to office thereafter.
(E)(E) The State Department of Education shall reimburse a school district or county board of education conducting an orientation for a new board member as required by this section at the rate of eighty dollars for a member, provided that the total reimbursements by the department in one fiscal year must not exceed ten thousand dollars.dollars. If the total projected cost of these reimbursements for a year as determined by the department exceeds ten thousand dollars, the eighty-dollar reimbursement for each new member must be reduced proportionately. If funds are not available for these reimbursements, the board member orientation is not required but may be conducted at the option of a school district or county board of education. The State Board of Education shall establish guidelines and procedures for these reimbursements.
If the(F) totalThe projectedState costDepartment of theseEducation reimbursementsmust forkeep a yearrecord asof determined by the departmentschool exceedsboard tentrustees thousandwho dollars,complete the eighty-dollarorientation reimbursementprogram. for each new member must be reduced proportionately.
If fundsSECTION are3. notSection available59-19-730(A) forand theseSection reimbursements,59-19-45(A)(1) thetakes boardeffect memberupon orientationapproval isby notthe requiredGovernor but maymust be conductedcompleted atby theDecember option31, of2025. a school district or county board of education.
The State Board of Education shall establish guidelines and procedures for these reimbursements.
(F) The State Department of Education must keep a record of the school board trustees who complete the orientation program.
SECTION 3. Section 59-19-730(A) and Section 59-19-45(A)(1) takes effect upon approval by the Governor but must be completed by December 31, 2025.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on FebruaryDecember 11, 20262024 at 04:1204:39 PM
Show all 66 changed rows (26 more)
View plain text versions (9)
Action History
-
Effective date See Act for Effective Date
-
Act No. 191
-
Signed By Governor
-
Ratified R 221
-
Concurred in House amendment and enrolled
-
Scrivener's error corrected
-
Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments
-
Roll call Yeas-109 Nays-4
-
Read second time
-
Amended
-
Debate adjourned
-
Scrivener's error corrected
-
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works
-
Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
-
Introduced and read first time
-
Roll call Ayes-39 Nays-2
-
Read third time and sent to House
-
Amended
-
Read second time
-
Committee Amendment Adopted
-
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Education
-
Referred to Committee on Education
-
Introduced and read first time
-
Referred to Committee on Education
-
Prefiled
Sponsors
- Senator Greg Hembree · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 169 not signed on · 6 voted No
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (169)
169 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 169 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 105 | 4 | 0 | 10 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 108 | 4 | 0 | 11 |
| % of votes cast | 88% | 3% | 0% | 9% |
How each member voted (123)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 39 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 39 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 89% | 5% | 0% | 7% |
How each member voted (44)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 70 do?
- AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 19, TITLE 59 SO AS TO PROVIDE A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CODE OF ETHICS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 59-19-45, RELATING TO MANDATORY TRAINING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES, SO AS TO REVISE THE TRAINING CONTENT REQUIREMENTS, APPLICABILITY, AND COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS. - RATIFIED TITLE
- Who sponsors S 70?
- S 70 is sponsored by Senator Greg Hembree.
- What is the current status of S 70?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 11, 2024. Enacted.
- Where can I track S 70?
- Track S 70 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
Make your voice heard on S 70
Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.
Stay ahead of S 70
Last checked for changes about 2 months ago · updated continuously
One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.
Track this bill →