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H 4443

York Comprehensive HS strength teams' champs

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brandon Guffey and 7 co-sponsors

Haverhill local act lets the city cap original appointments for firefighters/police at age 40 for exams after enactment, barring anyone 40 or older at exam time.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 4443

Summary — H 4443

This file contains two distinct measures presented together: (1) a local act (filed as House bill No. 4443) that would authorize the City of Haverhill to set a maximum age for original appointment to firefighter or police officer, and (2) a House resolution honoring York Comprehensive High School’s male and female strength teams for winning the 2024–2025 South Carolina Class AAAA state championships.

1) Local Act: “An Act relative to the maximum age requirement for original appointment to the position of firefighter or police officer” (H 4443 — Representative Andres X. Vargas, 3rd Essex)

Purpose / Intent

Authorize the City of Haverhill to further regulate the maximum age for original appointment to firefighter or police officer positions by establishing a specific age cutoff for competitive entrance exams.

Key provisions

  • Overrides section 58A of chapter 31 of the General Laws (and any contrary general or special law) for the City of Haverhill.
  • Establishes that no person shall be eligible to have their name certified for original appointment to the position of firefighter or police officer in Haverhill if the person has reached their 40th birthday on the date of the entrance examination.
  • Applicability limited to competitive exams administered on or after the act’s effective date.
  • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Prospective applicants for original appointment as firefighters or police officers in the City of Haverhill: applicants who are age 40 or older on the exam date would be ineligible to be certified for appointment.
  • Haverhill municipal hiring authorities and civil service exam administrators (they would apply this local age limit to competitive exams held after the act’s effective date).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Filed/Presented by Rep. Andres X. Vargas (with local approval from mayor and city council).
  • Applies only to exams administered on or after the law’s effective date (effective upon passage).
  • Related docket reference: HD 5070 (replaces).

2) House Resolution: Recognition of York Comprehensive High School Strength Teams (Honorary resolution)

Purpose / Intent

A non-binding honorary resolution of the South Carolina House of Representatives recognizing and congratulating the York Comprehensive High School male and female strength teams, their coaches, and school officials for winning the 2024–2025 South Carolina Class AAAA state championships.

Key content / highlights

  • Female state meet: held at Blythewood High School on November 9, 2024; York brought 20 female athletes; produced two state champions and set program records (nine All-State athletes, multiple All-State finishers).
    • Individual female state champions: Gracin Carroll (110 lb) and Briley Comer (160 lb).
    • State records noted: Jessica Merwin — 230 lb back squat (120 lb class); Maddi Ross — 115 lb bench press (120 lb class); Briley Comer — 280 lb back squat (160 lb class).
    • Other All-State female athletes listed by name and weight class.
  • Male state meet: held at Lexington High School on March 22, 2025; York brought 10 male athletes.
    • Male individual state champion: Eli Clinton (180 lb), also set a state record with a 10 ft 4 in broad jump.
    • All-State male athlete: Clayton Russell (140 lb).
  • Recognizes Head Coach Jason Layman (named AAAA Strength Coach of the Year) and coaching staff.
  • Directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to Dr. John Tharpe (principal) and Coach Jason Layman.

Effect / nature

  • Honorary recognition only; does not create legal obligations or policy changes.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The resolution text shows introduction and adoption on 04/30/2025.
  • The file includes multiple duplicative copies of the same resolution language (identical text for the two notices).

Legislative actions noted (selection)

  • 2025-08-21: H 4443 referred to Committee on Public Service.
  • 2025-08-25: Senate concurred (entry in the file).
  • Hearings scheduled/rescheduled for 09/10/2025 (committee hearing details updated).
  • 2025-04-30: The House resolution recognizing York Comprehensive HS was introduced and adopted.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a one-page fact sheet focused only on the Haverhill age-limit act (impacts, legal considerations, implementation steps); or
- Produce a separate brief suitable for a school newsletter summarizing the York Comprehensive HS recognition.

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

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