Proposed Legislation to Safeguard Firefighters in our State! Say goodbye to the apprehension of voicing concerns to public officials within your municipality. Once this Bill is enacted, the era of fearing repercussions will come to an end.

A special thank you to PFFASC's Director of Government Relations, John Baker II, for the time and work he has put into filing this bill for South Carolina firefighters! A little context from John Baker II: During our battle against Covid, I stood with thousands, but as the sole First Responder testifying at the State House of Representatives. I traversed the entire State to advocate for our cause. Fortunately, I faced no backlash from my command staff for my outspokenness. Sadly, countless others refrained from speaking out due to the potential for retaliation. With this Bill, that deterrent will become a thing of the past.

Thank you Vote Mark Smith again for watching out for our members and being a champion for firefighters across the State of South Carolina!

South Carolina General Assembly
125th Session, 2023-2024
H. 4646
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. M.M. Smith and Carter
Pre-filed in the House on December 14, 2023
Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
Summary: First Responders Communication Act
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
12/14/2023 House Pre-filed
12/14/2023 House Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
12/14/2023
A BILL
TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "FIRST RESPONDERS COMMUNICATION ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 8-15-90 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE MAY NOT BE PROHIBITED FROM COMMUNICATING WITH AN ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIAL FOR ANY JOB-RELATED PURPOSE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "First Responders Communication Act".
SECTION 2. Chapter 15, Title 8 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
Section 8-15-90.
(A) A public employee may not be prohibited from communicating with an elected public official for any job-related purpose.

(B) For purposes of this section, "public employee" means any person providing services for the State of South Carolina, state agencies, counties, municipalities, or subdivisions of such governmental bodies in South Carolina for which compensation is paid.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.