South Carolina S 135: Pledge

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 135 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 11, 2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 135

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING 
SECTION 59-1-455, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT SCHOOLS ALLOT TIME FOR THE 
RECITATION OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, SO AS TO REQUIRE PUPILS TO SALUTE THE 
UNITED STATES FLAG AND RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

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

SECTION 1. Section 59-1-455 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 Section 
59-1-455. Beginning with the 1991-92 school year, 
all public school students, commencing with grades kindergarten through and 
including high school, shall during the course of each school day's activities 
at a specific time which must be designated by the local school require the pupils in each school in the district on every 
school day to salute the United States flag and say the Pledge of 
Allegiance as follows:

 "I pledge allegiance 
to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it 
stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

 Anyperson not wishing to say the "Pledge of Allegiance" or 
otherwise participate in saying the "Pledge of Allegiance" is exempt from 
participation and may not be penalized for failing to participate.

 A person who does not wish 
to participate may leave the classroom, may remain in his seat, or may express 
his nonparticipation in any form which does not materially infringe upon the 
rights of other persons or disrupt school activities. pupils who are children of accredited representatives of 
foreign governments to whom the United States government extends diplomatic 
immunity, shall not be required to render such salute and pledge but shall be 
required to show full respect to the flag while the pledge is being given 
merely by standing at attention, the boys removing hats, 
hoods, or head coverings.

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval 
by the Governor.

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