South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted

S 711 — School Guard Requirements

Last action — Act No. 169

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  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 10, 2025. Enacted.

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

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · 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.

  • 3 sponsors

    3 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

The bill allows school crossing guards to manage traffic around schools and sets visibility and training standards.

This legislation updates rules for school crossing guards, allowing them to direct traffic near schools and mandates specific visibility gear and training. It aims to improve student safety during drop-off and pickup times.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means better management of traffic near schools, which can enhance safety during drop-off and pickup times.

Summary

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-60, RELATING TO SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS TO DIRECT AND CONTROL TRAFFIC ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS NEAR SCHOOLS TO REDUCE CONGESTION RELATED TO STUDENT DROP-OFF AND PICKUP, TO REQUIRE CERTAIN VISIBILITY GARMENT OR EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. - RATIFIED TITLE

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

6 added · 48 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of Bill S 711 now allows school guards the authority to direct and control traffic on public roadways near schools, which was not clearly established in the previous version. This change is significant because it enhances the safety of students crossing streets, allowing guards to manage traffic effectively and reduce the risk of accidents. This adjustment reflects a growing focus on ensuring the well-being of children as they navigate areas around schools.

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Previous
Latest
2025-2026 Bill 711 Text of Previous Version (Mar.
2025-2026 Bill 711 Text of Previous Version (Dec.
11, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 711Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
10, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 711Indicates 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 March 11, 2026   S.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)                 A bill   TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-60, RELATING TO SCHOOL GUARDS REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE AUTHORITY TO DIRECT AND CONTROL TRAFFIC ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS NEAR SCHOOLS.
711   Introduced by Senator Johnson   S.
Printed 3/11/26--S.
Read the first time January 13, 2026   ________   The committee on Senate Education To whom was referred a Bill (S.
711) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 59-63-60, relating to school guards requirements, so as to provide authority to direct and control traffic, 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 59-63-60 and inserting:
    Section 59-63-60.  No person charged with the responsibility of assisting school children to cross streets near schools shall engage in such activity unless he is attired with some type of garment or equipment that can be clearly seen by the driver of an approaching motor vehicle.
Such individuals shall have the authority to direct and control traffic on public roadways near schools for the purpose of reducing traffic congestion related to student drop-off or pick-up.
The school district official of each school district who is responsible for supervising such personnel shall be responsible for seeing that such persons within his district are furnished with the articles required by this section and that such persons receive appropriate training pertaining to traffic safety.
The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy shall provide training to certified law enforcement officers to enable such officers to instruct designated individuals within school districts in the safe direction and control of traffic.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
  GREG HEMBREE for Committee.
  _______                 A bill   TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-60, RELATING TO SCHOOL GUARDS REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE AUTHORITY TO DIRECT AND CONTROL TRAFFIC ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS NEAR SCHOOLS.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on March 11, 2026 at 08:17 PM
----XX---- This web page was last updated on December 10, 2025 at 02:17 PM
View plain text versions (5)

Action History

  1. Act No. 169

  2. Effective date 05/18/26

  3. Signed By Governor

  4. Ratified R 148

  5. Read third time and enrolled

  6. Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day

  7. Roll call Yeas-102 Nays-0

  8. Read second time

  9. Committee report: Favorable Education and Public Works

  10. Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works

  11. Introduced and read first time

  12. Read third time and sent to House

  13. Roll call Ayes-41 Nays-2

  14. Read second time

  15. Amended

  16. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Education

  17. Referred to Committee on Education

  18. Introduced and read first time

  19. Referred to Committee on Education

  20. Prefiled

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 167 not signed on · 2 voted No

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (167)

167 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 167 →

"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 102 Yea · 0 Nay · 22 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 980021
Republican 2000
Democrat 1001
Total 1010022
% of votes cast 82%0%0%18%
How each member voted (123)
Member Party Vote
Brittain, T. Case, Jr. — Yea
Representative Luke S. Rankin — Not Voting
Henderson-Myers, Rosalyn D. — Yea
Johnson, Jeffrey E. — Yea
Johnson, Jermaine L., Sr. — Yea
Representative Adam L. Duncan — Yea
Representative Annie E. McDaniel — Yea
Representative April Cromer — Yea
Representative Beth E. Bernstein — Yea
Representative Bill Taylor — Yea
Representative Brandon Guffey — Yea
Representative Brandon L. Cox — Yea
Representative Brandon Newton — Yea
Representative Bruce W. Bannister — Not Voting
Representative Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr. — Yea
Representative Carl L. Anderson — Not Voting
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 — Not Voting
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. — Not Voting
Representative Elizabeth "Spencer" Wetmore — Yea
Representative Fawn M. Pedalino — Yea
Representative Gary S. Brewer, Jr. — Yea
Representative Gil Gatch — Not Voting
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 — Not Voting
Representative Heather Bauer — Not Voting
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. — Not Voting
Representative John Gregory "Jay" Kilmartin — Yea
Representative John R. McCravy III — Yea
Representative John Richard C. King — Yea
Representative John T. Lastinger, Jr. — Yea
Representative Jordan S. Pace — Yea
Representative Joseph M. "Joe" Bustos — Yea
Representative Joseph S. "Joe" White — Yea
Representative Josiah Magnuson — Yea
Representative Justin T. Bamberg — Not Voting
Representative Kambrell H. Garvin — Yea
Representative Kathy Landing — Yea
Representative Keishan M. Scott — Yea
Representative Kevin Hardee — Not Voting
Representative Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam — Yea
Representative Leon Howard — Not Voting
Representative Leonidas E. "Leon" Stavrinakis — Yea
Representative Lonnie Hosey — Yea
Representative Lucas Atkinson — Not Voting
Representative M. Brian Lawson — Yea
Representative Mark N. Willis — Yea
Representative Melissa Lackey Oremus — Yea
Representative Micajah P. "Micah" Caskey IV — Not Voting
Representative Michael F. Rivers, Sr. — Yea
Representative Mike M. Neese — Yea
Representative Nathan Ballentine — Not Voting
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 — Yea
Representative Robert Q. Williams — Yea
Representative Robert T. Reese — Yea
Representative Roger K. Kirby — Yea
Representative Sarita L. Edgerton — Yea
Representative Seth Rose — Yea
Representative Shannon S. Erickson — Yea
Representative Steven Wayne Long — Yea
Representative Sylleste H. Davis — Yea
Representative T. Alan Morgan, Jr. — Yea
Representative Terry Alexander — Yea
Representative Thomas Beach — Not Voting
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 — Not Voting
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 — Not Voting
Representative William C. "Chris" Huff — Yea
Representative William G. "Bill" Herbkersman — Not Voting
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 — Not Voting
Jason Luck Democrat Yea
Tiffany R. Spann-Wilder Democrat Not Voting
Carla M. Schuessler Republican Yea
Stephen D. Frank Republican Yea

Official roll call →

2nd Reading

Passed 41 Yea · 2 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 41203
Total 41203
% of votes cast 89%4%0%7%
How each member voted (46)
Member Party Vote
Senator Luke A. Rankin — Yea
Devine, Tameika Isaac — Yea
Matthews, Margie Bright — Yea
Senator A. Shane Massey — Yea
Senator Allen Blackmon — Yea
Senator Billy Garrett — Not Voting
Senator Brad Hutto — Yea
Senator Brian Adams — Yea
Senator Carlisle Kennedy — Not Voting
Senator Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III — Yea
Senator Darrell Jackson — Yea
Senator Deon T. Tedder — Yea
Senator Ed Sutton — Yea
Senator Everett Stubbs — Yea
Senator George E. "Chip" Campsen III — Yea
Senator Greg Hembree — Yea
Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr. — Yea
Senator JD Chaplin — Yea
Senator Jason Elliott — Yea
Senator Jeff Zell — Yea
Senator Jeffrey R. Graham — Yea
Senator Josh Kimbrell — Yea
Senator Karl B. Allen — Yea
Senator Kent M. Williams — Yea
Senator Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms — Yea
Senator Lee Bright — Nay
Senator Matthew W. "Matt" Leber — Not Voting
Senator Michael Johnson — Yea
Senator Michael W. Gambrell — Yea
Senator Mike Reichenbach — Yea
Senator Overture Walker — Yea
Senator Rex F. Rice — Yea
Senator Richard J. Cash — Yea
Senator Ronnie A. Sabb — Yea
Senator Ronnie W. Cromer — Yea
Senator Ross Turner — Yea
Senator Russell L. Ott — Yea
Senator Sean M. Bennett — Yea
Senator Shane R. Martin — Nay
Senator Stephen L. Goldfinch — Yea
Senator Thomas C. Alexander — Yea
Senator Thomas D. "Tom" Corbin — Yea
Senator Tom Davis — Yea
Senator Tom Fernandez — Yea
Senator Tom Young, Jr. — Yea
Senator Wes Climer — Yea

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 711 do?
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-60, RELATING TO SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS TO DIRECT AND CONTROL TRAFFIC ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS NEAR SCHOOLS TO REDUCE CONGESTION RELATED TO STUDENT DROP-OFF AND PICKUP, TO REQUIRE CERTAIN VISIBILITY GARMENT OR EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. - RATIFIED TITLE
Who sponsors S 711?
S 711 is sponsored by Senator Michael Johnson, Senator Overture Walker, and Senator Jeff Zell.
What is the current status of S 711?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 10, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track S 711?
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