2001-2002 Bill 16: Procurement Code, Discrimination Practiced by Businesses; State Government

BIL: 16

TYP: General Bill GB

INB: Senate

IND: 20010110

PSP: McConnell

SPO: McConnell, Ford, Elliott, Rankin, Leventis, Branton

DDN: l:\s-jud\bills\mcconnell\jud0008.gfm.doc

RBY: Senate

COM: Finance Committee 06 SF

SUB: Procurement Code, discrimination practiced by businesses; State Government, Political Subdivisions not to deal with

HST:

Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved

______

Senate 20010110 Introduced, read first time, 06 SF

referred to Committee

Versions of This Bill

TXT:

A BILL

TO AMEND CHAPTER 35, TITLE 11, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATED PROCUREMENT CODE, BY ADDING SECTION 1135460, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NEITHER THE STATE NOR ANY OF ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS MAY DO BUSINESS WITH, ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH, OR OTHERWISE EXPEND FUNDS TO COMPANIES, ORGANIZATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, CORPORATIONS, SOLE PROPRIETORSHIPS, OR OTHER SIMILAR BUSINESS ENTITIES BY WHATEVER NAME KNOWN, IF THE BUSINESS ENTITY DISCRIMINATES OR RETALIATES AGAINST A CITIZEN OF THIS STATE, INCLUDING AN EMPLOYEE OF THE BUSINESS, BECAUSE OF THE CITIZEN’S POLITICAL, ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS, OR HERITAGE VIEWS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

“Section 1135460. Neither the State nor any of its political subdivisions may enter into contracts or business transactions which expend state appropriated funds with companies, organizations, partnerships, corporations, sole proprietorships, or other similar business entities by whatever name known, if the business entity discriminates or retaliates against a citizen of this State or employee working in this State because of the citizen’s or employee’s display on the citizen’s or employee’s private personal or real property of a political, ethnic, religious, or heritage item or symbol or possession of the same. Notwithstanding the provisions herein, nothing shall be construed to penalize a business entity for requiring and enforcing a dress code or uniform while the employee is on the premises; nor shall any provision herein bar dress codes which (1) prohibit public indecent exposure or (2) require proper formality of attire. Nothing in this section precludes any business from making decisions regarding security risks in order to ensure the safety of its officers and employees.”

SECTION 2. This section takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to contracts and business transactions entered into after the effective date of the section.

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