SC H4725

Requires all K-12 public schools in South Carolina to record all special education classroom instruction, including teacher lectures, guest lectures, classroom discussions, and virtual instruction, using video and audio (audio-only permitted if video equipment malfunctions)

Mandates that recordings be retained for five years and made accessible to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, with schools required to implement redaction procedures (blurring faces, removing personal identifiers) to protect privacy

Requires explicit written consent from students 18 or older, or parents/guardians of minors, before students may be video recorded, with consent records retained for five years

Prohibits commercial use of recordings, with violations punishable as a misdemeanor carrying fines up to $100 and/or imprisonment up to 30 days per offense

Takes effect July 1, 2026, with the State Department of Education responsible for overseeing compliance and schools required to submit annual compliance reports and notify the department within 24 hours of any recording or storage interruptions