Healthcare

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-11-400, 63-11-410, AND 63-11-420, ALL RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY MEDICAL RESPONSE SYSTEM ACT, SO AS TO RENAME THE ACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT NETWORK" AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES. - RATIFIED TITLE

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 4 TO CHAPTER 13, TITLE 24 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS MAY CONDITIONALLY RELEASE INMATES WHO ARE SERVING SENTENCES FOR THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, SALE, OR DISTRIBUTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, AND OFFER THE INMATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENROLL IN CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-140-10 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A WOMAN MAY HAVE AN ABORTION PRIOR TO THE VIABILITY OF HER EMBRYO OR FETUS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A WOMAN MAY HAVE AN ABORTION AFTER THE VIABILITY OF HER FETUS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROCESS THROUGH WHICH A MINOR MAY HAVE AN ABORTION, TO PROVIDE THAT ASSISTIVE REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND CONTRACEPTIVES SHALL BE AVAILABLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PROVIDE THAT PREGNANT WOMEN ARE ENTITLED TO QUALITY PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL HEALTHCARE, AND TO EXPAND MEDICAID TO FACILITATE THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL HEALTHCARE; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-47-37, RELATING TO THE PRACTICE OF TELEMEDICINE, SO AS TO PERMIT DOCTORS TO PRESCRIBE ABORTION INDUCING DRUGS VIA TELEMEDICINE; BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-48 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES THAT PROVIDE PREGNANCY AND CHILD BIRTH COVERAGE MUST ALSO OFFER COVERAGE FOR ABORTIONS AND RELATED SERVICES AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES INTENDED TO PERMANENTLY PREVENT PREGNANCY INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TUBAL LIGATION, HYSTERECTOMY, AND VASECTOMY; BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-49 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES MUST OFFER COVERAGE FOR ASSISTIVE REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-32-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION MEANS AGE APPROPRIATE, UNBIASED, COMPREHENSIVE, AND MEDICALLY ACCURATE INSTRUCTION, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE THAT ABSTINENCE EDUCATION CAN BE TAUGHT BUT NOT TAUGHT AS THE PRIMARY OR ONLY WAY TO PREVENT PREGNANCY; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-32-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ABSTINENCE FROM SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE CAN BE ENCOURAGED AS A WAY TO PREVENT PREGNANCY; AND TO REPEAL CHAPTER 41, TITLE 44 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE, RELATING TO ABORTION.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-29-175 SO AS TO ESTABLISH AN INFORMED CONSENT PROTOCOL THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED PRIOR TO A CERTAIN COVID-19 VACCINE BEING ADMINISTERED OR RECEIVED.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 43-21-200, RELATING TO THE GERIATRIC PHYSICIAN LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM, SO AS TO EXPAND THE POOL OF ELIGIBLE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND TO INCREASE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REIMBURSABLE LOANS.

H 3948 increases the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) for Medicaid-eligible nursing home residents in South Carolina, which covers personal expenses like clothing, toiletries, and small purchases. Starting January 1, 2025, the allowance will adjust annually based on the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (capped at federal limits) and must be at least $100 per month. The bill also clarifies that accrued PNA amounts for residents as of June 1, 2024, will not count as assets during their stay, and prohibits using the allowance for Medicaid-covered items like incontinence supplies or food. This directly affects nursing home residents qualifying for Medicaid and ensures the allowance remains accessible for non-medical personal needs.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 23-23-45, RELATING TO 911 TELECOMMUNICATORS TRAINING, SO AS TO REQUIRE TELECOMMUNICATORS MUST COMPLETE SUCCESSFULLY ANNUAL WELLNESS EXAMINATIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 23-9-200 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL SHALL REQUIRE ALL FIREFIGHTERS COMPLETE SUCCESSFULLY ANNUAL WELLNESS EXAMINATIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-61-80, RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATES, SO AS TO REQUIRE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS COMPLETE SUCCESSFULLY ANNUAL WELLNESS EXAMINATIONS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 23-23-57 SO AS TO PROVIDE ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MUST COMPLETE SUCCESSFULLY ANNUAL WELLNESS EXAMINATIONS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 10, TITLE 59 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE EVALUATORS TO EVALUATE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, OR THERAPEUTIC NEEDS, TO AUTHORIZE PRIVATE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE RELATED SERVICES AT SCHOOLS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, TO SPECIFY THESE EVALUATIONS AND SERVICES ONLY MAY OCCUR UPON REQUEST OF THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE STUDENT, TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY NOT PROHIBIT SUCH EVALUATIONS OR SERVICES IN SCHOOLS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL ADOPT A RELATED MODEL POLICY, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MODEL POLICY, TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL ADOPT RELATED POLICIES, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "MAKE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTHY AGAIN ACT"; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-10-310, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE MEALS AND COMPETITIVE FOODS, DISTRICT POLICIES, AND EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE POLICY TO INCLUDE A PROHIBITION ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROVIDING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD TO STUDENTS ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS DURING THE NORMAL SCHOOL DAY; AND TO ADD ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 5, TITLE 43, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES SHALL SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR A FEDERAL WAIVER TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF SNAP BENEFITS FOR THE PURCHASE OF CANDY AND SOFT DRINKS; TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR THE WAIVER; AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS RELATING TO THE SNAP PROGRAM.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "PATIENTS' RIGHT TO TRANSPARENCY AND TIMELY ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 116 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FROM PREAUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS WHO MEET AN EIGHTY PERCENT THRESHOLD OF PREAUTHORIZATION REQUESTS FOR MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENTS DURING A PARTICULAR TIME PERIOD; TO REQUIRE A FAIR AND TRANSPARENT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION PROCESS FOR MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENTS; TO ESTABLISH TIMELINES FOR PREAUTHORIZATION DECISIONS; TO PROHIBIT ONGOING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PATIENTS LIVING WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS AFTER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO PROHIBIT INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM SWITCHING PHARMACEUTICALS DURING A POLICY YEAR; TO ALLOW FOR STEP THERAPY EXCEPTIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT ONCE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION IS GRANTED, HEALTH CARRIERS MUST PAY FOR THE SERVICE WITH EXCEPTIONS; TO REQUIRE CONTINUITY OF CARE WHEN A PATIENT CHANGES INSURANCE POLICIES; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN FILINGS FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR TRANSPARENCY CONCERNING APPROVAL AND DENIAL RATES; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE CHAPTER.