The South Carolina Senate Education Subcommittee convened on April 2, 2025, to discuss a significant bill aimed at enhancing school security across the state. The proposed legislation, S.454, would enable school districts with enrollments of at least 8,000 or 15,000 students to apply for a proprietary security business license. This license would allow districts to implement a layered security approach, which is particularly crucial in areas like Greenville County, where many schools currently lack dedicated school resource officers (SROs).

Senator Mike Turner, the bill's author, emphasized the importance of student safety, stating that a secure environment is essential for effective learning. He noted that Greenville County has 37 schools without SROs, forcing the district to contract private security firms. The new bill aims to bring security personnel in-house, allowing for better training and collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.

The bill includes provisions that ensure the newly hired security personnel do not replace SROs and must adhere to existing laws regarding their roles. A subcommittee amendment clarifies that these personnel cannot act in advisory or teaching capacities designated for SROs. Additionally, if a public charter school applies for the license, the superintendent of the authorizing body would be the applicant.

During the meeting, concerns were raised about the bill's stipulation that only larger school districts could apply for the license. Some committee members questioned whether this limitation was necessary, arguing that any district meeting the training and resource criteria should be eligible, regardless of size. The discussion highlighted the need for flexibility in the legislation to ensure that all schools can enhance their security measures effectively.

The bill has garnered support from law enforcement agencies, indicating a collaborative effort to improve safety in schools. As the committee continues to refine the legislation, the focus remains on ensuring that all students in South Carolina can learn in a safe and secure environment. The next steps will involve addressing the concerns raised and potentially expanding eligibility to smaller districts, ensuring that every school has access to the necessary security resources.