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H 5179

School Mapping Data Program

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shannon Erickson and 7 co-sponsors

H 5179 creates a funded School Mapping Data Program within SLED to provide interoperable, up-to-date emergency response maps for all state-supported higher education institutions.

Act No. 160
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Bill Summary · H 5179

Summary of Bill H 5179 (2025-2026) – South Carolina

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a statewide School Mapping Data Program within the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
  • The program is designed to facilitate efficient emergency responses in public institutions of higher learning by public safety agencies (state, local, and federal as applicable).
  • The data are intended to assist first responders during emergencies at colleges, universities, and state-supported technical institutions.

Key Provisions

Creation and Oversight

  • Creates Section 59-101-440 in the South Carolina Code.
  • The School Mapping Data Program is established within SLED.
  • SLED is authorized, subject to funding, to contract with a vendor to provide school mapping data for each institution of higher learning in the state.

Data Scope and Access

  • “School mapping data” = information collected in electronic/digital format to aid first responders in emergencies at higher education institutions.
  • “Institution of higher learning” includes state-supported colleges and universities named in Section 59-101-10 and state-supported technical institutions under the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education.
  • Data must be provided to:
    • The institution
    • Local law enforcement
    • Public safety agencies
  • Emergencies covered include events where first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS, public safety telecommunicators, etc.) may respond.

Technical and Compatibility Requirements

  • Data must be compatible with:
    • Software platforms used by local, county, state, and federal public safety agencies, without requiring agencies to purchase new software or pay fees to view/access the data.
    • Security software platforms used by the institution, without requiring additional purchases or fees.
  • Updates to school mapping data must be accessible within the software platforms used by responding agencies and institutions.

Confidentiality and Disclosure

  • Provided school mapping data must be treated as confidential.
  • Private security providers contracted by institutions may not disclose the data except by court order.
  • Public bodies may not disclose the data under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
  • Any disclosure by a public body must follow procedures established in Section 23-50-45 (presumably related to requests and redactions).

Affected Entities

  • State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) – oversees the program and vendor contract(s).
  • Higher Education Institutions in South Carolina (state-supported colleges, universities, and technical institutions under the relevant governance boards).
  • Local law enforcement agencies and other public safety agencies that respond to emergencies at higher education institutions.
  • Private security providers contracted by public institutions for campus security (restricted disclosure).

Implementation and Timeline

  • Effective date: Upon the Governor’s approval (automatic after enactment).
  • Funding considerations: Program is contingent on funding, with SLED authorized to contract a vendor to supply data.
  • Legislative trajectory observed in actions:
    • Committee reports indicate favorable action with amendments.
    • Passage history shows rapid progression through Education and related committees, including a favorable vote on second reading and committee reports.

Potential Impacts

  • Improves situational awareness for first responders during campus emergencies by providing standardized, interoperable mapping data.
  • Reduces delays in response by ensuring data compatibility across agencies and avoiding extra software purchases.
  • Enhances campus safety coordination between institutions and public safety entities.
  • Establishes strict confidentiality and controlled disclosure to protect sensitive information.

Summary

H 5179 creates a formal, funded framework for a School Mapping Data Program within SLED to provide interoperable, up-to-date emergency response mapping data for every state-supported higher education institution. The program emphasizes cross-agency compatibility, data protection, and streamlined access for responders, with implementation contingent on funding and vendor contracting.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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