South Carolina § 59-1-441 - Policy to permit student to deliver message.

§ 59-1-441. Policy to permit student to deliver message.

(A) The governing body of a school board or school district may adopt a policy that permits graduating high school students as selected by school policy using objective criteria such as academic standing or the ex-officio function of a student office or position, to deliver a brief opening or closing message, or both, of two minutes or less, at the high school's graduation exercises.

(B) If a student delivers a brief opening or closing message, or both, of two minutes or less, the content of that message must be prepared or selected by the student and may not be recommended, monitored, reviewed, or censored by a member of the governing body of the school district, its officers, or employees. No student may be disciplined or reprimanded by the school for the content of any nonobscene, nonprofane, or nonvulgar message delivered pursuant to this section.

(C) The provisions of this section do not apply to policies of the school district or high school that relate specifically to more lengthy, extensive, or featured speeches at the high school's graduation delivered by a class valedictorian or other student selected on bases such as academic standing or position in student government.

HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 331, SECTION 2.