A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-20-51 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING IN SCHOOL YEAR 2024-2025, A NEW TEACHER MUST RECEIVE A STARTING ANNUAL SALARY OF NO LESS THAN fifty-two THOUSAND DOLLARS AND A CURRENT TEACHER WHO EARNED LESS THAN fifty-two THOUSAND DOLLARS IN THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR MUST RECEIVE A SALARY OF NO LESS THAN fifTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

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

SECTION 1.  Chapter 20, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 59-20-51.  (A) A new certified teacher hired to teach in a public K-12 school in this State must receive a starting salary of no less than fifty-two thousand dollars and a current certified public K-12 teacher who earned less than fifty-two thousand dollars in the 2023-2024 School Year must receive a salary of no less than fifty-five thousand dollars.

    (B) The provisions of this section apply notwithstanding the provisions of Section 59-20-50 or another provision of law.

SECTION 2.  The provisions of this act apply beginning in School Year 2024-2025.

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----