Last week was the third week of the 2024 legislative session. There are 15 weeks remaining before the legislature adjourns on May 9, 2024.
Here are the highlights from last week’s Senate action:
HELP FOR TEACHER RECRUITMENT – The Senate passed S. 305 2023-2024 Bill 305: Work Experience Credit for New Teachers, a bill that would encourage people with private sector work experience to pursue education careers. Teachers are paid based on a scale that considers education attained and years working in the teaching profession. This bill would allow those who have worked outside teaching to claim one year of credit on the teacher pay scale for every two years of full-time work experience in the content field that the person will be teaching. For example, a person who has 20 years’ experience as an engineer could become a teacher and start out earning the same as a teacher with 10 years’ experience. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives.
MODERNIZING TELEMEDICINE – The Senate passed H. 4159 2023-2024 Bill 4159: Telehealth and Telemedicine Modernization Act, a bill that would update the telemedicine practice act. Telemedicine allows patients to visit with health care providers via telephone or video conference. It is becoming more popular and allows patients in rural areas to treat with specialists in other parts of the state or homebound patients to check in with their treating physicians. The bill will now go back to the House for consideration of Senate amendments.
“CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY” – The Senate began debate on H. 3594 2023-2024 Bill 3594: Constitutional Carry, a bill that would authorize South Carolina citizens to carry concealed weapons without a concealed weapons permit. I am hopeful the Senate will finish the discussion this week, but it will likely take the full week.
STATE OF THE STATE – Governor Henry McMaster delivered his 2024 State of the State of Address on Wednesday night. You can listen to the speech here and read it here 2024 State of the State Address, Governor Henry McMaster.