Healthcare

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTHY SCHOOLS ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 59-10-325 SO AS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN BY PROHIBITING THE USE OF HARMFUL FOOD ADDITIVES IN SCHOOL MEALS, ENSURING INGREDIENT TRANSPARENCY, ESTABLISHING COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS, TO PROVIDE A PERIODIC REVIEW AND POSSIBLE UPDATES OF PROHIBITED ADDITIVES, TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, AND TO MAKE RELATED FINDINGS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 40-42-40 SO AS TO ENABLE CERTAIN HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE SERVICES USING TELEHEALTH TO CLIENTS IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH PROVIDERS, TO PROVIDE A NECESSARY DEFINITION, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED DUTIES ON LICENSING BOARDS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 40-47-37, RELATING TO ENABLING CERTAIN PHYSICIANS TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE SERVICES USING TELEHEALTH TO CLIENTS IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH PHYSICIANS, TO PROVIDE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA MEDICAL FREEDOM ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 141 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EVERY PERSON HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE MEDICAL PROCEDURES, MEDICAL TREATMENTS, VACCINES, AND OTHER MEDICAL CARE AND TO PROTECT THOSE PERSONS FROM DISCRIMINATION; TO PROTECT HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS FROM DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR VOICING CONCERNS ABOUT MEDICAL MANDATES OR TREATMENTS OR FOR ADVOCATING FOR PATIENTS' RIGHTS; TO CREATE A CAUSE OF ACTION TO PROTECT HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS EXPERIENCING RETALIATION; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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.