South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted

S 70 — School Board Ethics

Last action — Effective date See Act for Effective Date

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 11, 2024. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Henry McMaster (Republican) on May 18, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How 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 removed

128 line(s) added, 59 removed.

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2025-2026 Bill 70 Text of Previous Version (Feb.
2025-2026 Bill 70 Text of Previous Version (Dec.
11, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026(Text matches printed bills.
11, 2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 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 February 11, 2026 S.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)                 A bill   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:
  Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1.   Chapter 19, Title 59 of the S.C.
  SECTION 1.  Chapter 19, Title 59 of the S.C.
Article 5 School Board Member Code of Ethics    Section 59-19-710.   The purpose of this article is to enhance local school governance by promoting the highest standards of ethical behavior.
  Article 5   School Board Member Code of Ethics       Section 59-19-710.
   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 or the South Carolina Charter School District board, other than the State Board of Education.
The purpose of this article is to enhance local school governance by promoting the highest standards of ethical behavior.
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   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.
      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 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) 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.
    (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) 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.
       (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) A local school board may only adopt its local code of ethics or any changes to that local code at a regularly scheduled meeting.
       (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) 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.
       (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) 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.
       (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) Nothing contained in this section may be construed to repeal, replace, or preclude application of any other statute.
       (6) Nothing contained in this section may be construed to repeal, replace, or preclude application of any other statute.
SECTION 2.   Section 59-19-45 of the S.C.
  SECTION 2.  Section 59-19-45 of the S.C.
   Section 59-19-45.   (A)(1) The State Board of Education shall adopt a model training program for training local school board members.
      Section 59-19-45.  (A)(1) The State Board of Education shall adopt a model training program for training local school board members.
      (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.
       (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) 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.
       (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.
       (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) 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.
    (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) 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.
    (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) 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)(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) 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.
    (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) 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.
    (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.  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 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.
    (F) The State Department of Education must keep a record of the school board trustees who complete the orientation program.
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.
  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.
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 February 11, 2026 at 04:12 PM
----XX---- This web page was last updated on December 11, 2024 at 04:39 PM
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Action History

  1. Effective date See Act for Effective Date

  2. Act No. 191

  3. Signed By Governor

  4. Ratified R 221

  5. Concurred in House amendment and enrolled

  6. Scrivener's error corrected

  7. Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments

  8. Roll call Yeas-109 Nays-4

  9. Read second time

  10. Amended

  11. Debate adjourned

  12. Scrivener's error corrected

  13. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works

  14. Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works

  15. Introduced and read first time

  16. Roll call Ayes-39 Nays-2

  17. Read third time and sent to House

  18. Amended

  19. Read second time

  20. Committee Amendment Adopted

  21. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Education

  22. Referred to Committee on Education

  23. Introduced and read first time

  24. Referred to Committee on Education

  25. Prefiled

Sponsors

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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passage of Bill

Passed 109 Yea · 4 Nay · 11 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1054010
Republican 2000
Democrat 1001
Total 1084011
% of votes cast 88%3%0%9%
How each member voted (123)
Member Party Vote
Brittain, T. Case, Jr. — Yea
Representative Luke S. Rankin — Yea
Henderson-Myers, Rosalyn D. — Yea
Johnson, Jeffrey E. — Yea
Johnson, Jermaine L., Sr. — Not Voting
Representative Adam L. Duncan — Yea
Representative Annie E. McDaniel — Yea
Representative April Cromer — Yea
Representative Beth E. Bernstein — Not Voting
Representative Bill Taylor — Yea
Representative Brandon Guffey — Not Voting
Representative Brandon L. Cox — Yea
Representative Brandon Newton — Yea
Representative Bruce W. Bannister — Yea
Representative Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr. — Yea
Representative Carl L. Anderson — Yea
Representative Chandra E. Dillard — Yea
Representative Charles V. Hartz — Yea
Representative Chris Wooten — Yea
Representative Christopher R. "Chris" Hart — Yea
Representative Cody T. Mitchell — Yea
Representative Courtney S. Waters — Yea
Representative Craig A. Gagnon — Yea
Representative Daniel Gibson — Yea
Representative David Martin — Yea
Representative David R. Hiott — Yea
Representative David Vaughan — Yea
Representative Dennis C. Moss — Yea
Representative Dianne Mitchell — Yea
Representative Donald G. "Don" Chapman — Yea
Representative Donald Ryan McCabe, Jr. — Yea
Representative Elizabeth "Spencer" Wetmore — Yea
Representative Fawn M. Pedalino — Yea
Representative Gary S. Brewer, Jr. — Not Voting
Representative Gil Gatch — Yea
Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter — Yea
Representative Greg Ford — Yea
Representative Hamilton R. Grant — Yea
Representative Harriet A. Holman — Yea
Representative Heath Sessions — Yea
Representative Heather Ammons Crawford — Yea
Representative Heather Bauer — Yea
Representative J. David Weeks — Not Voting
Representative J. Todd Rutherford — Yea
Representative JA Moore — Yea
Representative Jackie E. "Coach" Hayes — Yea
Representative Jackie R. Terribile — Yea
Representative James E. Teeple — Yea
Representative James Mikell "Mike" Burns — Yea
Representative Jeff Bradley — Yea
Representative Jerry N. Govan, Jr. — Yea
Representative John Gregory "Jay" Kilmartin — Yea
Representative John R. McCravy III — Yea
Representative John Richard C. King — Not Voting
Representative John T. Lastinger, Jr. — Yea
Representative Jordan S. Pace — Yea
Representative Joseph M. "Joe" Bustos — Yea
Representative Joseph S. "Joe" White — Not Voting
Representative Josiah Magnuson — Nay
Representative Justin T. Bamberg — Yea
Representative Kambrell H. Garvin — Yea
Representative Kathy Landing — Yea
Representative Keishan M. Scott — Yea
Representative Kevin Hardee — Yea
Representative Lee Hewitt — Yea
Representative Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam — Yea
Representative Leon Howard — Not Voting
Representative Leonidas E. "Leon" Stavrinakis — Yea
Representative Lonnie Hosey — Yea
Representative Lucas Atkinson — Yea
Representative M. Brian Lawson — Yea
Representative Mark N. Willis — Yea
Representative Melissa Lackey Oremus — Yea
Representative Micajah P. "Micah" Caskey IV — Yea
Representative Michael F. Rivers, Sr. — Yea
Representative Mike M. Neese — Yea
Representative Nathan Ballentine — Yea
Representative Neal A. Collins — Yea
Representative Patrick B. Haddon — Yea
Representative Paul B. Wickensimer — Yea
Representative Paula Rawl Calhoon — Yea
Representative Phillip Bowers — Yea
Representative Phillip D. Lowe — Yea
Representative Richard Blake Sanders — Yea
Representative Richard L. "Richie" Yow — Yea
Representative Robby Robbins — Yea
Representative Robert J. "Rob" Harris — Nay
Representative Robert Q. Williams — Yea
Representative Robert T. Reese — Yea
Representative Roger K. Kirby — Yea
Representative Sarita L. Edgerton — Nay
Representative Seth Rose — Yea
Representative Shannon S. Erickson — Not Voting
Representative Steven Wayne Long — Yea
Representative Sylleste H. Davis — Not Voting
Representative T. Alan Morgan, Jr. — Nay
Representative Terry Alexander — Yea
Representative Thomas Beach — Yea
Representative Thomas Duval "Val" Guest, Jr. — Yea
Representative Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope — Yea
Representative Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr. — Yea
Representative Thomas Lee Gilreath — Yea
Representative Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon — Yea
Representative Timothy A. "Tim" McGinnis — Yea
Representative Travis A. Moore — Yea
Representative W. Scott Montgomery IV — Yea
Representative Wallace H. "Jay" Jordan, Jr. — Yea
Representative Wendell G. Gilliard — Yea
Representative Wendell K. Jones — Yea
Representative William "Bill" Clyburn — Yea
Representative William "Bill" Hager — Yea
Representative William C. "Chris" Huff — Yea
Representative William H. Bailey — Yea
Representative William M. "Bill" Chumley — Yea
Representative William M. "Bill" Hixon — Yea
Representative William R. "Bill" Whitmire — Yea
Representative Wm. Weston J. Newton — Yea
Smith, G. Murrell, Jr. — Yea
Smith, Marvin — Yea
Jason Luck Democrat Yea
Tiffany R. Spann-Wilder Democrat Not Voting
Carla M. Schuessler Republican Yea
Stephen D. Frank Republican Yea

Official roll call →

3rd Reading

Passed 39 Yea · 2 Nay · 5 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 39203
Total 39203
% of votes cast 89%5%0%7%
How each member voted (44)

Official roll call →

Subjects

Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

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?
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