South Carolina legislation · 126th General Assembly
South Carolina S70: School Board Ethics
Status: Signed into law, June 2, 2026
What the bill says
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; by adding section 59-19-730 so as to require the state board of education to adopt and revise as necessary a model code of ethics for local school board members, and require that a local school board shall adopt a local code of ethics at a regularly scheduled meeting and submit a copy to the department of education within thirty days of adoption; and by amending section 59-19-45, relating to mandatory orientation for sch.
From the amended text, May 14, 2026:
A bill 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; BY ADDING SECTION 59-19-730 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT AND REVISE AS NECESSARY A MODEL CODE OF ETHICS FOR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AND REQUIRE THAT A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD SHALL ADOPT A LOCAL CODE OF ETHICS AT A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING AND SUBMIT A COPY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF ADOPTION; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-19-45, RELATING TO MANDATORY ORIENTATION FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARDS OF TRUSTEES AND COUNTY BOARDS OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT A MODEL TRAINING PROGRAM, WHICH MUST INCLUDE A LOCAL TRAINING PROGRAM. Amend Title To Conform B e it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: S ECTION 1. C hapter 19, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding: A rticle 5 S chool Board Member Code of Ethics S ection 59-19-710. The purpose of this article is to enhance local school governance by promoting the highest standards of ethical behavior. S ection 59-19-720. For the purposes of this article, "board member" means a person holding membership, whether by election or …
Sponsors
- Greg Hembree (R, 28) · primary sponsor