SC H5309

Establishes South Carolina's participation in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, allowing teachers with valid licenses from member states to receive equivalent licenses in South Carolina without completing additional state-specific requirements for initial licensure.

Creates a streamlined licensure pathway specifically supporting military spouses and active military members, who may receive equivalent licenses even if their current license has restrictions, to facilitate relocation.

Establishes the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission as a joint interstate governmental agency with one commissioner per member state, responsible for promulgating rules, maintaining financial records, and facilitating information exchange between states.

Requires teachers applying under the compact to undergo criminal background checks in the receiving state and authorizes member states to share investigative and disciplinary information about teachers while maintaining confidentiality.

Preserves state sovereignty over teacher regulation, allowing receiving states sole discretion to determine license equivalency and permitting states to require state-specific requirements for license renewal or advancement after initial licensure.