South Carolina House committee reports H.5205 to require college safety training, expands reporting

A South Carolina House committee on Thursday voted 15-0 to report H.5205, a bill that would require colleges and universities to provide standardized student safety training during orientation or within the first month of enrollment and expand crime reporting to indicate whether a crime was affiliated with the institution.

The bill, introduced by the committee chair, combines two elements: mandatory safety training that institutions must deliver to students in orientation or within the first 30 days, and a change to campus crime reporting that would require institutions to report whether incidents involved persons affiliated with the campus in addition to existing Clery Act reporting requirements. "The main change of this new bill is it takes the privates out of this mandatory training," Macy Webb, the committee staff presenter, said during the meeting. "The first part of the bill being the mandatory safety training ... within the students' orientation or within their first month on campus." Webb added that the bill also "added the language in addition to the Clery Act where the institutions must also report on if a crime was affiliated with the institution or not."

Committee members pressed for a definition of "affiliated." The chair pointed to the bill's definition in section 4 and said, "It means anyone who possessed or possesses a valid campus ID" at the time of the alleged crime, meaning the reporting will distinguish incidents involving enrolled or ID-bearing community members from those committed by outside actors. Committee members cited that distinction as important on South Carolina's generally open campuses, where recent incidents have involved non-affiliated individuals.

Members also asked how the requirement would interact with existing university courses. "They have a class ... called CU1000. They have to complete it in the first semester. Am I correct? So will this change it for them where it'll have to be done in 30 days?" asked Rep. Vaughn. The chair replied that the safety module is separate from a university 101 course but could be included if the institution ensures the required training is completed within 30 days and reports how it is delivered.

After discussion and expressions of thanks to subcommittee members and campus partners, Lauren called the roll. The committee recorded a unanimous favorable report: "By a vote of 15 to 0 with 3 absent, the bill is reported favorably." The absent members were recorded as Mister Bridal, Mister Garvin and Mister McGinnis. The chair said a related mapping bill tied to college safety would be presented to the committee next week.

The committee adjourned after offering remarks that the new requirements should help reassure families about campus safety. The bill will move forward in the legislative process for further consideration.