COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – A bill gaining traction in the South Carolina State House could impact your child’s education.

The Educator Assistance Act has unanimously passed in the House for years, but has never been voted on in the Senate.

But in 2025, the measure is headed to the Senate floor.

“There are really important provisions in this bill that would enhance educator working conditions immediately at the start of the next school year and improve learning conditions for students,” said Patrick Kelly with the Palmetto State Teachers Association.

If the bill is passed, schools would be required to notify teachers about their class assignments and salaries at least 14 days before the school year begins.

The bill would allow teachers to be reassigned to a different school if the superintendent can prove need, a board of education gives a majority vote, and a written five days’ notice is given to the teacher.

Under current law, a teacher’s license could be suspended if they request to move during the school year. If passed, that would change, and Kelly said he believes the bill will help schools retain educators.

“I think that that’s an action that is appropriate,” Kelly explained. “It also demonstrates respect for the profession, and that’s a critically important part of enhancing educator retention in South Carolina.”

Teachers receive contracts for the next academic year between April 15 and May 1, but have until May 10 to sign and return it.

During the committee meeting, senators discussed fining school districts $10,000 if they failed to abide by those rules.

“The purpose of putting in the financial penalty to, to force them to say, all right, we’ve got to sit down and, you know, thoughtfully consider these contracts and these employees, because from our standpoint, they didn’t,” said Senator Greg Hembree (R – Horry).

Senators expressed concerns about how a this could impact teacher shortages.

“I guess one of the issues there would be whether they’ve got enough of a pool, to get rid of the poor performing or just people who just didn’t do what they are cut out to be,” said Senator Shane Massey (R – Edgefield).

Kelly said teachers he spoke with believe the legislation should be a top priority for state legislature, as retention is crucial.

“I don’t think it’s a shortage of teachers, I think it’s a shortage of really high-quality teachers,” Hembree replied.

The first year of a two-year legislative session is almost over, and if the senate does not vote on this bill, it will be picked up next year.