All Roll Calls
Yes: 148 • No: 6
South CarolinaS 0070126th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
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.
Sponsored By: Greg Hembree (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
School Board Ethics
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Mandatory training for school board members
Beginning 2026-05-18, the Department of Education runs required training for new and returning school district trustees, delivered by the department or its designees, and reviews it every three years. The training covers policy, personnel, superintendent–board relations, instruction, district finance, school law, ethics, nepotism, conflicts of interest, and community relations. New or reappointed members must finish the training within nine months of taking office. For the first year, each sitting member is offered training and must complete it by 2027-05-18. Each member must sign that they understand and will follow state ethics law, the local code, and the training. The State Board tracks completions, sends a caution letter if late, and, if not cured, refers the trustee to the Governor for removal under Section 59-19-60. Each local board must certify member compliance within nine months and publish it in the minutes of the next regular meeting.
Statewide ethics code for school boards
Beginning 2026-05-18, the State Board of Education adopts a model ethics code for local school boards that follows state Ethics Commission standards. The model must be in place by 2026-12-31. Local boards, including charter and authorizer boards, must adopt a local code that includes at least the model within three months of the state adoption, and update within three months of any state revision. Boards may adopt or change codes only at regular meetings. A code cannot stop members from talking about board policies or actions outside meetings, except for matters allowed to be kept confidential from executive session. Boards must send their code to the State Board within 60 days of adoption.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Greg Hembree
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/13/2026
(School Board Ethics)Passage of Bill
Yes: 109 • No: 4
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
(School Board Ethics)3rd Reading
Yes: 39 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Effective date See Act for Effective Date
6/5/2026legislatureAct No. 191
6/2/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/18/2026GovernorRatified R 221
5/15/2026legislatureConcurred in House amendment and enrolled
5/14/2026SenateScrivener's error corrected
5/14/2026legislatureRead third time and returned to Senate with amendments
5/14/2026HouseRoll call Yeas-109 Nays-4
5/13/2026HouseRead second time
5/13/2026HouseAmended
5/13/2026HouseDebate adjourned
5/12/2026HouseScrivener's error corrected
5/8/2026legislatureCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works
5/7/2026HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works
2/26/2026HouseIntroduced and read first time
2/26/2026HouseRoll call Ayes-39 Nays-2
2/24/2026SenateRead third time and sent to House
2/24/2026SenateAmended
2/24/2026SenateRead second time
2/18/2026SenateCommittee Amendment Adopted
2/17/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education
2/11/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Education
1/14/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
1/14/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Education
12/11/2024SenatePrefiled
12/11/2024Senate
Bill Text
Introduced
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