South Carolina · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill
S 322: Free Speech
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
S 322 is a bill introduced in the South Carolina Senate on February 6, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Free Speech. Primary sponsor: Richard Cash (Republican), Tom Fernandez (Republican), Brian Adams (Republican), Mike Reichenbach (Republican), Matt Leber (Republican), Rex Rice (Republican), Billy Garrett (Republican), Carlisle Kennedy (Republican), Mike Gambrell (Republican), Josh Kimbrell (Republican), Danny Verdin (Republican), Tom Corbin (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 6, 2025): Referred to Committee on Education.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "FREE TO SPEAK ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-505 SO AS TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES FROM KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY ADDRESSING AN UNEMANCIPATED MINOR WHO IS A STUDENT AT THE SCHOOL WHERE THE EMPLOYEE IS EMPLOYED BY A PRONOUN OR TITLE THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE STUDENT'S SEX WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF A STUDENT'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN, AND TO PROTECT PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES FROM ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT ACTION FOR DECLINING TO ADDRESS A STUDENT USING A PRONOUN THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE STUDENT'S SEX, FOR DECLINING TO IDENTIFY HIS PRONOUNS, AND FOR OTHER REASONS, AND TO REQUIRE THE GOVERNING BODY OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ADOPT POLICIES CONSISTENT WITH THIS CODE SECTION; AND BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-680 SO AS TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING EMPLOYEES FROM KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY ADDRESSING AN UNEMANCIPATED MINOR WHO IS A STUDENT AT THE SCHOOL WHERE THE EMPLOYEE IS EMPLOYED BY A PRONOUN OR TITLE THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE STUDENT'S SEX, AND TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FROM ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT ACTION FOR DECLINING TO ADDRESS A STUDENT USING A PRONOUN THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE STUDENT'S SEX, FOR DECLINING TO IDENTIFY HIS PRONOUNS, AND FOR OTHER REASONS, AND TO REQUIRE THE GOVERNING BODY OF EACH PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING TO ADOPT POLICIES CONSISTENT WITH THIS CODE SECTION.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 12
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Cash | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 3 |
| Tom Fernandez | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 39 |
| Brian Adams | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 44 |
| Mike Reichenbach | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 31 |
| Matt Leber | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 41 |
| Rex Rice | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 2 |
| Billy Garrett | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 10 |
| Carlisle Kennedy | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 23 |
| Mike Gambrell | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 4 |
| Josh Kimbrell | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 11 |
| Danny Verdin | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 9 |
| Tom Corbin | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 5 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Referred to Committee on Education
- Introduced and read first time