All Roll Calls
Yes: 279 • No: 11
South CarolinaH 3862126th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-50, RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL ADMISSIONS, SO AS TO REVISE ADMISSIONS PREFERENCE CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES, AND TO ADD PROVISIONS CONCERNING STUDENTS WITH MULTIPLE ENROLLMENT PREFERENCES.
Sponsored By: Shannon S. Erickson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Charter school enrollment preferences
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Alternative campuses can prefer disadvantaged students
Beginning May 12, 2025, charter schools labeled as Alternative Education Campuses may give a mission-based preference to educationally disadvantaged students. The preference must be written in the approved charter and follow the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.
Extra charter seats for military families
Beginning May 12, 2025, charter schools may enroll dependents of active-duty members living or stationed in South Carolina without a lottery, up to 10% of students. These students must meet state enrollment rules. If a charter’s main campus is on a federal military base using base facilities, it may give priority to dependents living in base housing or stationed there, up to 50% of students. A child cannot be counted more than once across priorities.
Priority for siblings, staff kids, returners
Beginning May 12, 2025, a charter school must prefer students who were enrolled there last year. It can enroll siblings without a lottery if the sibling now attends the school or attended for at least one full year within the last six years. It can also enroll children of school employees or charter committee members without a lottery, up to 20% of total students.
Admissions limits, single-gender exception, lottery rights
Beginning May 12, 2025, charter schools cannot favor or exclude groups in admissions except for the specific preferences the law allows. A single-gender charter may accept or deny students based on gender alone. If a child qualifies for more than one preference, the school may use only one. If a cap makes that preference full, the child must be allowed into the lottery that year.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Shannon S. Erickson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Cody T. Mitchell
Republican • House
G. Murrell Smith, Jr.
Republican • House
Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam
Republican • House
Marvin "Mark" Smith
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/7/2025
(Charter school enrollment preferences)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 113 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/29/2025
(Charter school enrollment preferences)to lay on the table Amendment number 1
Yes: 24 • No: 11
Senate vote • 4/29/2025
(Charter school enrollment preferences)2nd Reading
Yes: 37 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2025
(Charter school enrollment preferences)Passage of Bill
Yes: 105 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 47
5/19/2025legislatureEffective date 05/12/25
5/19/2025legislatureSigned By Governor
5/12/2025GovernorRatified R 66
5/8/2025legislatureRoll call Yeas-113 Nays-0
5/7/2025HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
5/7/2025HouseDebate adjourned until Wed., 5-7-25
5/6/2025HouseRead third time and returned to House with amendments
4/30/2025SenateRoll call Ayes-37 Nays-0
4/29/2025SenateRead second time
4/29/2025SenateAmended
4/29/2025SenateCommittee report: Favorable Education
3/26/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Education
2/18/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
2/18/2025SenateUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
2/13/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-105 Nays-0
2/13/2025HouseRead second time
2/13/2025HouseAmended
2/13/2025HouseDebate adjourned until Thur., 2-13-25
2/12/2025HouseCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works
2/6/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: M.M.Smith
2/5/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works
1/30/2025HouseIntroduced and read first time
1/30/2025House
Bill Text
Introduced
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