S.C. Code Ann. § 59-19-730: Model code of ethics.

(A) The State Board of Education shall adopt, and revise as necessary, a model code of ethics consistent with standards established by the South Carolina Ethics Commission for local school board members.

(B)(1) A local school board shall adopt a local code of ethics applicable to that board within three months after adoption of the model code of ethics by the State Board of Education. A local code must include, at a minimum, the State Board of Education's model code of ethics.

(2) If the State Board of Education adopts a revision to the model code of ethics, then local school boards shall adopt and incorporate the revision into their local code within three months of the adoption of the revision by the State Board of Education.

(3) A local school board may only adopt its local code of ethics or any changes to that local code at a regularly scheduled meeting.

(4) A local school board may not adopt or follow a code of ethics that prevents its members from freely discussing the policies and actions of the board outside of a board meeting except for matters discussed in executive session. This does not preclude a local school board from adopting a policy in a regularly scheduled meeting that prohibits certain disclosures allowed by law.

(5) A local school board shall submit a copy of its local code of ethics and subsequent revisions to the State Board of Education within sixty days of adoption.

(6) Nothing contained in this section may be construed to repeal, replace, or preclude application of any other statute.