SC Senator to file ‘Remembering Charlie Kirk Act’ focusing on college employee conduct

FLORENCE, S.C. (WTOC) - One week after the shooting death of Charlie Kirk at an event in Utah, South Carolina Senator Mike Reichenbach announced he will file new legislation titled the ‘Remembering Charlie Kirk Act’ when the Senate returns to legislative session in Columbia.

According to a press release, the ‘Remembering Charlie Kirk Act’ will “ensure that public colleges and universities have an articulable code of conduct policy in place, as it relates to paid personnel, to provide that personnel who condone, promote, or encourage acts of violence on campuses may be removed from their duty, and that the college or university will be released of civil liability resulting from a firing.”

Additionally, the legislation states that “any college or university that violates the law, or refuses to adopt a code of conduct may be subject to the suspension or loss of state funding as a result of the violation.”

One week ago, while respectfully engaging in political discourse on a college campus, the life of Charlie Kirk - a 31-year old husband and father of two - was tragically and unfairly taken at the hands of an assassin.

Unfortunately, there were some university employees in South Carolina who took to social media and other public forums - not to issue their thoughts and prayers - but to celebrate Charlie’s heinous murder.

That type of behavior is entirely inappropriate and unbecoming of those who have been trusted to care for our young adults, and goes directly to their security and judgement to be permitted to work on our campuses of higher education.

We’re going to set a clear, unmistakable expectation with our professors and support staff - that you are held to a high standard of conduct.

Senator Mike Reichenbach (R-Florence)

The announcement comes following Attorney General Alan Wilson’s letter to Clemson University earlier this week, advising the University that its well within its legal authority to terminate the employees that made the heinous comments following Kirk’s assassination.

The “Remembering Charlie Kirk Act’ will ”provide enhanced flexibility and a roadmap to remove these personnel, in addition to current statutes,“ the press release states.

“Named in honor of Charlie Kirk, the Act will seek to preserve Charlie Kirk’s legacy by ensuring college campuses remain a place for civil discussion and discourse, free of violence and threats of violence.”