A proposal that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every South Carolina public school and college classroom is moving forward in the Legislature. If passed and signed into law, South Carolina would join Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas as states that have mandated the posting of the Ten Commandments. These three states have passed the law and are currently facing legal challenges. The South Carolina House Judiciary Committee recently advanced the bill.
The bill, which was taken up in the 126th Session of the South Carolina General Assembly and presented on January 13th, 2026, also includes a separate provision that would allow school districts to establish policies that permit volunteer chaplains to provide religious counseling on school grounds. The bill reads, “to amend the South Carolina code of laws by adding section, 59-1-335, so as to authorize school districts and charter schools to implement certain volunteer school chaplain policies; and by adding section 59-1-485, so as to provide for the display of the Ten Commandments and other historical documents in public school and postsecondary classrooms.”
South Carolina lawmakers used the verbiage in the Louisiana law as the basis for their bill. The Louisiana law as well as the Arkansas and Texas laws were immediately challenged in federal court, along with similar measures in Arkansas and Texas. The bill was sponsored by forty-three legislators, including Robbie Robbins, (R) who said the displays would serve an educational purpose rather than promote a specific religion. Robbins added, “Those commandments were codified in the Bible, which is the holy word of God, and there is nothing wrong with educating children, not indoctrinating children, educating children on the Ten Commandments,”
Supporters also argue that the commandments are historical documents that helped shape American government and values. They also say the displays would improve civic and moral education. The bill requires each classroom to have a poster that is at least 14 inches tall and 11 inches wide on display.
Opponents of the bill, argue the proposal violates the First Amendment and would marginalize students of different faiths or no faith at all. The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina has strongly criticized the bill. Courtney Thomas, the organization’s advocacy director says, “Our schools are meant for education, not indoctrination.” Thomas said that she believes the measure will most probably run into the same legal obstacles seen in other states that have enacted the legislation.
The proposal has sparked the familiar debate over religious freedom, constitutional limits and the role of faith in public education.
The proposal now moves to the full House for continued debate.
