Bill
H 3630
Requires two hours of youth suicide awareness and prevention training for credential renewal in SC, counting toward the 120 renewal credits, starting 2026-2027.
Note on source material
- The supplied text contains material from two different bills that were merged in the file you provided:
1. A South Carolina amendment requiring youth suicide awareness and prevention training for credential renewal (appears to be the bill matching the title you gave).
2. A Massachusetts House bill (H. 3630 / House Docket No. 3509) amending Chapter 90B (off‑highway/recreation vehicle registration and event exemptions).
- Below are separate, concise summaries for each measure so readers can clearly see purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and procedural/timeline points.
1) Youth suicide awareness and prevention training (South Carolina text)
Overview / Purpose
- Amends S.C. Code § 59-26-110(A) to require a specific youth suicide awareness and prevention training as a condition for renewing educator credentials.
- Expands the current/previous training requirement to explicitly include individuals employed in kindergarten through 12th grade and persons employed at institutions of higher education.
Key provisions
- Requires two (2) hours of training in youth suicide awareness and prevention as a requirement for credential renewal.
- The required two hours count toward the 120 renewal credits the Department of Education requires for credential renewal.
- Effective date: “This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.”
- Start year specified in the text: Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year (text shows replacement of an earlier date range).
Who is affected
- Educators and other credentialed personnel employed in:
- Kindergarten, elementary, middle, junior high, secondary, and high schools (as defined in S.C. law).
- Institutions of higher learning in South Carolina.
- State Department of Education (responsible for incorporating the requirement into credential renewal procedures).
Procedural / timeline notes
- Filed/prefiled: 12/12/2024 (filed text shows that date).
- The bill language indicates implementation begins with the 2026–2027 school year and takes effect on the Governor’s approval.
- This is a statutory amendment; administrative rules implementing the credit-counting and training content would be managed by the Department of Education.
Potential impact / considerations
- Increases required professional development for credential renewal by creating an explicit 2‑hour statutory requirement in suicide prevention.
- Training may require development or procurement of approved curricula and recordkeeping systems to verify completion for credential renewal.
- Because the two hours count toward existing renewal credits, it does not add to the total credit burden but specifies content that must be met.
2) Massachusetts — Chapter 90B (House No. 3630 / Docket No. 3509) — recreation / off‑highway vehicles
Overview / Purpose
- Proposes amendments to Chapter 90B of the Massachusetts General Laws to revise definitions, registration requirements, and event exemptions for recreation/off‑highway vehicles and participants in sanctioned races, rallies, or events.
Key provisions
- Expands or clarifies the definition of “recreation vehicle” / “off‑highway vehicle” to include motor vehicles designed or modified for unimproved terrain recreation (examples: ATVs, off‑highway motorcycles, dirt bikes, recreation utility vehicles), and also includes “all registered motor vehicles while not being operated on a public way” as defined in Chapter 90.
- Exempts recreation vehicles used exclusively for agricultural, forestry, lumbering, or construction purposes from Chapter 90B; creates an affirmative defense that the vehicle was so used at the time of an alleged violation.
- Clarifies that motor vehicles legally registered under Chapter 90 are not subject to duplicate registration under Chapter 90B; such vehicles must display registration numbers as required under Chapter 90.
- Changes event exemption language: broadens an existing director’s discretion to exempt non‑residents to a blanket exemption for all participants (resident and non‑resident) in events sanctioned by bona fide state, regional, national, or international sanctioning bodies.
Who is affected
- Owners/operators of recreation/off‑highway vehicles in Massachusetts.
- Event participants and organizers for sanctioned races, rallies, and similar events.
- Registries and enforcement bodies administering Chapter 90 and Chapter 90B.
Procedural / timeline notes
- House docketed: House Docket No. 3509; Filed 1/17/2025; Presented by Rep. Nicholas A. Boldyga (3rd Hampden).
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation (per the actions listed).
- Similar matter appeared in prior session (House No. 3274 of 2023–2024).
Potential impact / considerations
- Reduces duplication of registration requirements for vehicles already registered under Chapter 90.
- Provides broader event participation exemptions, potentially simplifying participation in sanctioned off‑road events.
- Clarifies scope of vehicles subject to Chapter 90B and creates affirmative defenses for legitimate work‑use vehicles, which may reduce enforcement disputes.
Related procedural notes (from supplied actions)
- The supplied “Legislative Actions” list includes entries referencing committee referrals, sponsor additions, hearings, and study orders. Those entries appear to mix items from both the South Carolina and Massachusetts materials; readers should consult the official state legislative docket for the bill in the relevant state (S.C. General Assembly or Massachusetts General Court) for authoritative status, next steps, and text versions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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