2015-2016 Bill 4575: Use of a Wireless Electronic Communication Device in Schools - South

South Carolina General Assembly

121st Session, 2015-2016

H. 4575

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill

Sponsors: Rep. Spires

Document Path: l:\council\bills\agm\18821ab16.docx

Companion/Similar bill(s): 934

Introduced in the House on January 12, 2016

Currently residing in the House Committee on Education and Public Works

Summary: Use of a wireless electronic communication device in schools

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

DateBodyAction Description with journal page number

12/10/2015HousePrefiled

12/10/2015HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works

1/12/2016HouseIntroduced and read first time (House Journalpage110)

1/12/2016HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works (House Journalpage110)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

12/10/2015

ABILL

TO AMEND SECTION 5963280, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON THE STUDENT USE OF PAGING DEVICES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SO AS TO EXPAND THE PROHIBITION TO INCLUDE WIRELESS ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES, AND TO LIMIT THE PROHIBITION TO SCHOOL HOURS; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

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

SECTION1.Section 5963280 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

“Section 5963280.(A)For purposes of this section,:

(1)‘Paging device’ means a telecommunications, to include mobile telephones, device that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor.

(2)‘School hours’ means those hours which encompass the period when classes normally are in session at the school and for which students are to be in attendance, as well as ancillary times that are part of the traditional school day, including, but not limited to, homeroom, study hall periods, lunch, and recess.

(3)‘Wireless electronic communication device’ means an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, a personal digital assistant, or a textmessaging device, which allows a person to wirelessly communicate with another person device.

(B)The board of trustees of each school district shall adopt a policy that addressesprohibitsstudent possessionuseof paging devices as defined in subsection (A)a wireless electronic communication device during school hours. This policy must be included in the district’s written student conduct standardsand must include appropriate disciplinary actions for violations. If the policy includes confiscation of a paging device, as defined in subsection (A)the wireless communication device, it should also shouldprovide for the return of the device to the owner.

(C)Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit a student from possession a wireless communication device at school during school hours.”

SECTION2.This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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