South Carolina H 5201: Safe Schools Act of 2026

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5201 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 20, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5201

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

Committee Report

April 16, 2026

H. 5201

Introduced 
by Reps. Pedalino and Teeple 

S. Printed 4/16/26--H. [SEC 
4/20/2026 1:06 PM]

Read the first time February 18, 2026

________

The committee on House Education and 
Public Works

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 5201) to amend 
the South Carolina Code of Laws by enacting the "Safe Schools Act of 2026" by 
adding Article 6 to Chapter 63, Title 59, so as to establish a 
multijurisdictional, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered 
the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

SHANNON ERICKSON for Committee.

_______

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE 
"Safe Schools Act of 2026" BY ADDING ARTICLE 6 TO CHAPTER 63, TITLE 59, SO AS 
TO ESTABLISH A MULTIJURISDICTIONAL SCHOOL SAFETY TASK FORCE, TO REQUIRE SCHOOL 
DISTRICTS TO DEVELOP MULTIHAZARD EMERGENCY OPERATION PLANS, TO PROVIDE FOR 
CERTIFIED SCHOOL SAFETY ASSESSMENTS AND REQUIRED LIVE DRILLS, AND TO PROVIDE 
OVERSIGHT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BY SLED, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

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

SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "Safe Schools Act of 2026."

SECTION 2. Chapter 63, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by 
adding:

Article 6

Multihazard Emergency Operation Plans

 Section 
59-63-610. As used in this article:

 (1) 
"Center" means the South Carolina Center for School Safety and Targeted 
Violence under the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

 (2) 
"MEOP" means the Multihazard Emergency Operation Plan established pursuant to 
this article.

 (3) 
"Certified security assessor" means an individual or organization registered 
with and approved by the center, holding current certifications in multiple 
relevant areas including, at a minimum, Crime Prevention Through Environmental 
Design (CPTED), Physical Security Certification (PSC), school security 
strategies, and other equivalent credentials specific to educational facility 
security assessments. General policing or law enforcement credentials alone do 
not satisfy this requirement.

 Section 
59-63-620. (A) There is established 
the Multijurisdictional School Safety Task Force (Task Force), a continuing 
body responsible for developing, coordinating, and advising on statewide school 
safety policies, best practices, and implementation strategies.

 (B) 
The task force consists of seven members, appointed as follows:

 (1) 
one representative of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, appointed by 
the Chief of SLED, who shall serve as chair;

 (2) 
one representative of the State Department of Education, appointed by the State 
Superintendent of Education;

 (3) 
one representative of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 
appointed by the Governor;

 (4) 
one representative of local law enforcement, appointed by the Governor;

 (5) 
one school safety officer or school resource officer with experience in a 
public school, appointed by the Governor;

 (6) 
one licensed mental health professional with experience in child or adolescent 
mental health, appointed by the Governor; and

 (7) 
one public school district administrator, appointed by the Governor.

 (C) 
Appointments must be made within sixty days after the effective date of this 
act.

 (D) 
Members shall serve four-year terms and may be reappointed. Members appointed 
by agency heads serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

 (E) A 
majority of the members constitutes a quorum. The task force may meet as often 
as necessary to carry out its duties, may elect a vice chair and other officers 
as it considers necessary, and may establish subcommittees or working groups, 
including nonmember subject-matter experts, provided that final recommendations 
are approved by the task force.

 (F) 
Vacancies must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the 
remainder of the unexpired term.

 (G) 
Members shall serve without compensation, but may receive mileage, subsistence, 
and per diem as provided by law, subject to available funds.

 (H) 
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division shall provide administrative 
support and staffing for the task force but shall not have sole authority to 
develop, implement, or unilaterally approve statewide school safety policies, 
plans, or programs. State agencies represented on the task force shall 
cooperate upon request.

 (I) 
The task force shall:

 (1) 
develop a statewide master Multijurisdictional Emergency Operation Plan (MEOP) 
through collaborative consensus;

 (2) 
provide templates, protocols, best practices, and technical support to 
districts and school