By Billy Hathorn (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons |
SC State Rep. Cezar McKnight (D) has sponsored a bill in South Carolina to require school uniforms for all public school students. House Bill 3050 includes exceptions for physical education classes and for extracurricular activities. The bill requires that the state Department of Education develop rules and regulations governing the establishment and enforcement of its dress code program to include three main objectives.
The objectives address common concerns for parents and administrators. First is to provide a standard that includes a variety of seasonal options, as well as a color scheme that permits flexibility for the school principle to make modifications for school colors. Secondly, it requires that the required uniform be available at an affordable price for the average family. Third, it includes a provision to assist students eligible for free or reduced lunch to obtain five sets of school uniforms for each season.
The bill has been referred to House Committee on Education and Public Works. I'll update this post should this bill pass out of committee to the next stage of the state legislative process.