Status: Proposed – Pending in House (introduced January 14, 2025)
Bill Number: SC HB 3236 (2025–2026 Session)
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Category: School Safety, Weapons Detection
Industries: K-12 Education
Enacted Date: N/A
Effective Date: TBD
Summary: South Carolina House Bill 3236, the Weapons Detector Systems in Schools Act, would require weapons detector systems to be installed at all public entrances to every public elementary, middle, and high school building in the state, including athletic venues. The bill was introduced on January 14, 2025, and is currently pending in the House. A companion bill, HB 3237, would establish a "Weapons Detectors in Schools Study Committee" to study whether a weapons detection mandate is in the public interest — indicating the legislature is actively deliberating the policy question.
The legislation is part of a national wave of state-level school weapons detection bills introduced in 2025–2026, alongside similar proposals in Georgia (HB 1023, which failed in the 2026 session), Rhode Island, and others. South Carolina's bills have not yet advanced to a full chamber vote.
Key Requirements (as proposed):
- Universal Coverage: Weapons detector systems required at all public entrances to all public K-12 school buildings and athletic venues statewide.
- Technology Neutral: The bill does not specify the type of detection technology, allowing for traditional metal detectors or AI-powered detection systems.
- Companion Study Committee: HB 3237 would create a legislative committee to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a statewide mandate before any requirement is finalized.
Compliance Deadline: N/A – Bill has not passed.
Affected Entities: Would apply to all public K-12 schools and athletic venues in South Carolina if enacted.
IntelliSee Relevance: Very High – South Carolina is an active market for AI-powered weapons detection. IntelliSee's camera-based AI detection provides a cost-effective, non-invasive alternative to traditional metal detectors that aligns with emerging state mandates. Should HB 3236 advance, IntelliSee's platform directly satisfies the detection requirements while avoiding the throughput bottlenecks of checkpoint-based screening systems.