A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-240, RELATING TO EXPULSION FOR REMAINDER OF YEAR AND HEARINGS, SO AS TO AMEND REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION TO PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS OF THE PUPIL.

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

SECTION 1.  Section 59-63-240 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    Section 59-63-240. The board may expel for the remainder of the school year a pupil for any of the reasons listed in Section 59-63-210.  If procedures for expulsion are initiated, the parents or legal guardian of the pupil shall be notified in writing of the time and the place of a hearing either before the board or a person or committee designated by the board.  The written notification to the parents or legal guardian of the pupil must include their right to have legal counsel present at the hearing and all other regular legal rights including the right to question all witnesses, contact information for legal aid services for those who may qualify for free legal representation, and the right to access the investigative file in its entirety, to include all documents and videos, prior to the hearing. At the hearing the parents or legal guardian shall have the right to legal counsel and to all other regular legal rights including the right to question all witnesses.  If the hearing is held by any authority other than the board of trustees, the right to appeal the decision to the board is reserved to either party.  The hearing shall take place within fifteen days of the written notification at a time and place designated by the board and a decision shall be rendered within ten days of the hearing.  The pupil may be suspended from school and all school activities during the time of the expulsion procedures.  The action of the board may be appealed to the proper court.  The board may permanently expel any incorrigible pupil.

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

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