Excused student absences, the official text

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

(A100, R105, H4257)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-1-462 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS, RELATING TO EXCUSED SCHOOL ABSENCES FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN ANY INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY AUTHORIZED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ACTIVITY IS SANCTIONED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE OR ANY OTHER GOVERNING ENTITY, AND TO REQUIRE THAT STUDENTS BE IN ACADEMIC GOOD STANDING TO QUALIFY FOR SUCH EXCUSED ABSENCES.

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

Excused school absences, interscholastic activities, good standing requirement

SECTION 1. Section 59-1-462 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

Section 59-1-462. Each school district, within ninety days after the effective date of this section, shall adopt a policy, to include language to ensure that participants are academically in good standing, that authorizes a student to be excused from school absences, not to exceed ten school days per school year, to participate in a Career and Technical Student Organization experience in which student participation and learning outcomes are directed by a certified teacher for assessment of competencies or participation in any interscholastic activity authorized for student participation by the school or school district, regardless of whether the activity is sanctioned by the South Carolina High School League or other entity that governs, sanctions, or operates interscholastic athletic and intramural activities and competitions. Participation in such Career and Technical Student Organization experience may include, but is not limited to, scheduled events of state-level Future Farmers of America (FFA) organizations, the national FFA organization, and 4-H programs as part of organized competitions or exhibitions. The student and his parent or legal guardian are responsible for obtaining and completing assignments missed while the student participates in any such Career and Technical Student Organization experiences or interscholastic activity authorized for student participation by the school or school district.

Time effective

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

Ratified the 25th day of February, 2026.

Approved the 27th day of February, 2026.

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