South Carolina S 79: Act No. 140; Workers' Comp Commission Chairman

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 79 Text of Previous Version (May. 06, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 79

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Amended

May 6, 2025

S. 79

Introduced 
by Senators Hembree and Zell 

S. Printed 5/6/25--H.

Read the first time March 6, 2025

________

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 
59-18-1115 SO AS TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM TO PERMIT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS 
TO HIRE NONCERTIFIED TEACHERS IN A RATIO UP TO TEN PERCENT OF ITS ENTIRE TEACHING 
STAFF, TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC, EVALUATION, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS, TO FURTHER 
THE PROGRAM FOR ANNUAL PROGRAM REPORTING, AND TO PROVIDE NONCERTIFIED TEACHER 
REGISTRATION AND CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS.

 Amend Title To Conform

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 18, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by 
adding:

 Section 
59-18-1115. (A) The Department of 
Education is directed to establish a five-year pilot program by May 1, 2025, 
that will permit a school to hire noncertified teachers in a ratio of up to ten 
percent of its entire teaching staff. This pilot does not include individuals 
seeking employment as work-based, career, and technical education teachers. The 
State Board of Education, through the Department of Education, shall approve 
guidelines that at a minimum include the following:

 (1) 
the requirement that a noncertified teacher must possess a suitable 
baccalaureate or graduate degree for the position he is hired to teach and must 
have at least five years of relevant workplace experience;

 (2) 
procedures for requiring noncertified teachers to participate in the evaluation 
process pursuant to Section 59-26-30(B)(4) and (5);

 (3) 
initial and ongoing training and support requirements; and

 (4) 
the requirement that a noncertified teacher must demonstrate enrollment in an 
educator certification program within three years of employment, including any 
state-approved alternative or traditional route program.

 (B) 
Participation in the pilot program is optional, and the decision to participate 
rests solely with the Department of Education and the school principal, upon 
approval of the district superintendent. Participating schools and districts 
are encouraged to collaborate on recruitment, training, and implementation of 
the pilot program and to assist the Department of Education with establishing 
best practices.

 (C) 
The Department of Education shall establish a separate code in the professional 
coding system to capture noncertified teachers and shall continue to report 
this information on school report cards.

 (D) 
Beginning November 1, 2026, the Department of Education shall submit an annual 
report that includes recommendations for improving, expanding, or continuing 
the pilot program to the General Assembly. The annual status report submitted 
by November 1, 2029, shall include a recommendation regarding continuance of 
the program beyond June 30, 2030.

 (E)(1) The Department of Education shall 
establish procedures for the registration, clearance, and approval of all 
noncertified teachers working in any public school pursuant to this section. 
Teachers shall submit the required documentation and fees to the Department of 
Education, which shall include, but are not limited to:

 (a) 
a completed registration form;

 (b) 
any associated fee; and

 (c) 
transcripts, which shall be subject to review.

 (2) 
An individual applying for registration as a noncertified teacher must undergo 
a state criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the South 
Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and a national criminal records check, 
supported by fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The results 
of these criminal record checks must be reported to the Department of 
Education. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau 
of Investigation are authorized to retain the fingerprints for identification 
and certification purposes and for notification of the department regarding 
criminal charges. Costs of conducting a criminal history background check must 
be borne by the applicant. The Department of Education shall keep information 
received pursuant to this section confidential, except that such information 
may be disclosed to the State Board of Education as may be necessary. The 
results of these criminal record checks must not be shared outside the 
department.

 (3) 
An individual whose South Carolina educator certificate has been suspended or 
revoked shall not be employed as a noncertified teacher during the term of 
suspension or revocation. If a noncertified teacher is dismissed, resigns, or 
is otherwise separated from employment with a district following allegations of 
misconduct, the district super