South CarolinaS 0416126th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-210, RELATING TO THE EXPULSION, SUSPENSION, AND TRANSFER OF STUDENTS, SO AS TO REVISE RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO EXPELLED AND SUSPENDED STUDENTS WHILE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY OR ATTENDING SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, AND TO REMOVE LIMITATIONS ON DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-235, RELATING TO THE EXPULSION OF STUDENTS WHO BRING FIREARMS TO SCHOOL, SO AS TO REQUIRE A MINIMUM ONE-YEAR EXPULSION FOR KNOWINGLY BRINGING A FIREARM TO SCHOOL, TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR MODIFICATION, REVIEW, AND REINSTATEMENT OF THE EXPULSION PERIOD, TO PRESERVE STUDENT APPEAL RIGHTS, AND TO AUTHORIZE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN ALTERNATIVE OR VIRTUAL SETTINGS; BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-237 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPULSION OF STUDENTS WHO MAKE CERTAIN THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST SCHOOLS OR SCHOOL PERSONNEL, TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR SUCH EXPULSIONS, TO AUTHORIZE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN ALTERNATIVE OR VIRTUAL SETTINGS, AND TO REQUIRE REFERRAL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-250, RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF STUDENTS, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE AUTHORITY OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND DESIGNATED ADMINISTRATORS TO TRANSFER STUDENTS WITHIN THE DISTRICT IN LIEU OF SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION, TO REQUIRE PARENT CONFERENCES OR HEARINGS AND NOTICE TO AND INPUT FROM THE RECEIVING SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, AND TO PROVIDE APPEAL RIGHTS FOR TRANSFERS ORDERED BY AN ADMINISTRATOR.

Sponsored By: Greg Hembree (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

School Expulsion

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Expulsion rules for violent school threats

Beginning May 18, 2026, a student who knowingly and willfully makes a weapon-related threat against students or school personnel must be expelled for up to one school year. To expel, officials must find that the threat targeted specific people or the school, a reasonable person would expect violence, the student could carry it out, and the threat caused a major disruption, like canceled classes or a lockdown. Hearings follow Section 59-63-240. Students must be offered alternative or online instruction during the expulsion. Local boards must refer these cases to the county Department of Juvenile Justice.

One-year expulsion for firearms, with reviews

Beginning May 18, 2026, a student who knowingly brings a firearm to school is expelled for at least one year from the incident date. The hearing follows Section 59-63-240. The school board may change the length case by case; if another authority holds the hearing, the superintendent may recommend a change, but the board must approve it or the one-year term returns. Appeal rights are preserved. Expelled students can get instruction in alternative or online settings. Local boards must refer these cases to the county Department of Juvenile Justice.

Suspended or expelled: campus ban, online learning

Beginning May 18, 2026, students who are expelled cannot enter school grounds, attend events, or ride the bus during the expulsion. The same ban applies during a suspension. A student may come to campus only for a prearranged meeting with an administrator. The law also lets suspended or expelled students keep learning through alternative or online programs, including adult education.

Transfers instead of suspension, with parent rights

Beginning May 18, 2026, a district board or designated administrator may transfer a student to another school instead of suspending or expelling them. The district must hold a hearing with the parent or guardian and get input from the receiving school’s principal. Parents may request a conference instead of a formal hearing. If an administrator orders the transfer, parents may appeal to the school board.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Greg Hembree

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Thomas C. Alexander

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 237 • No: 222

House vote • 5/13/2026

(School Expulsion)Passage of Bill

Yes: 98 • No: 7

House vote • 4/29/2026

(School Expulsion)Adopt Amendment 4  Amendment number 4

Yes: 32 • No: 75

House vote • 4/29/2026

(School Expulsion)Adopt Amendment 5  Amendment number 5

Yes: 34 • No: 70

House vote • 4/29/2026

(School Expulsion)Adopt Amendment 5  Amendment number 5

Yes: 34 • No: 70

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

(School Expulsion)2nd Reading

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 05/18/26

    6/5/2026legislature
  2. Act No. 193

    6/2/2026legislature
  3. Signed By Governor

    5/18/2026Governor
  4. Ratified R 225

    5/15/2026legislature
  5. Ordered enrolled for ratification

    5/14/2026House
  6. House recedes from amendment

    5/14/2026House
  7. Non-concurrence in House amendment

    5/14/2026Senate
  8. Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments

    5/14/2026House
  9. Roll call Yeas-98 Nays-7

    5/13/2026House
  10. Read second time

    5/13/2026House
  11. Requests for debate removed-Rep

    5/13/2026House
  12. Debate adjourned

    5/7/2026House
  13. Requests for debate-Rep

    4/29/2026House
  14. Amended

    4/29/2026House
  15. Debate adjourned

    4/28/2026House
  16. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works

    4/22/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works

    4/30/2025House
  18. Introduced and read first time

    4/30/2025House
  19. Read third time and sent to House

    4/29/2025Senate
  20. Roll call Ayes-39 Nays-0

    4/24/2025Senate
  21. Read second time

    4/24/2025Senate
  22. Committee Amendment Adopted

    4/16/2025Senate
  23. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Education

    4/10/2025Senate
  24. Referred to Committee on Education

    3/4/2025Senate
  25. Introduced and read first time

    3/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

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