Sen. Carlisle Kennedy

A SENATE RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE EACH INDIVIDUAL IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO BECOME BETTER INFORMED ABOUT AND AWARE OF KIDNEY DISEASE AND APOL1-MEDIATED KIDNEY DISEASE, TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM OR WITH ANCESTRY FROM WESTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA TO CONSIDER GENETIC TESTING FOR APOL1 GENE MUTATIONS, AND TO DECLARE TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025, AS "APOL1-MEDIATED KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-48-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THE "SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR ACT," SO AS TO REDEFINE "LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN ACTS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE."

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "PATIENTS' RIGHT TO TRANSPARENCY AND TIMELY ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-10 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-20 SO AS TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FROM PREAUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS WHO MEET A NINETY PERCENT THRESHOLD OF PREAUTHORIZATION REQUESTS FOR MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENTS DURING A PARTICULAR TIME PERIOD; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-30 SO AS TO REQUIRE A FAIR AND TRANSPARENT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION PROCESS FOR MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-40 SO AS TO ESTABLISH TIMELINES FOR PREAUTHORIZATION DECISIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-50 SO AS TO PROHIBIT ONGOING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PATIENTS LIVING WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS AFTER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-60 SO AS TO PROHIBIT INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM SWITCHING PHARMACEUTICALS DURING A POLICY YEAR; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-70 SO AS TO ALLOW FOR STEP THERAPY EXCEPTIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-80 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ONCE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION IS GRANTED, HEALTH CARRIERS MUST PAY FOR THE SERVICE WITH EXCEPTIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-90 SO AS TO REQUIRE CONTINUITY OF CARE WHEN A PATIENT CHANGES INSURANCE POLICIES; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-100 SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN FILINGS FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR TRANSPARENCY CONCERNING APPROVAL AND DENIAL RATES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-110 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE CHAPTER.

A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MAJOR JAMES CAPERS JR., A NATIVE OF BISHOPVILLE, FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM AND LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS AND TO RESPECTFULLY URGE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO AWARD MAJOR CAPERS THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS ACTIONS IN VIETNAM.

A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE RIVERBANKS BOTANICAL GARDEN ON THE OCCASION OF ITS THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND ITS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO CONSERVATION, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA FORESTRY COMMISSION FOR THE CRUCIAL ROLE THEY PLAY IN PREVENTING WILDFIRES, SAFEGUARDING COMMUNITIES, PROTECTING WILDLIFE HABITATS, AND MAINTAINING HEALTHY FOREST ECOSYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE, AND TO APPLAUD THEIR RESPONSE TO THE CAROLINA FOREST WILDFIRES, WHICH ULTIMATELY PREVENTED DAMAGE TO CITIZENS, HOMES, BUSINESSES, AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN HORRY COUNTY.

A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF DR. CHARLIE W. TIMMERMAN SR. AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-3-510, RELATING TO THE CIRCUIT PUBLIC DEFENDER SELECTION PANEL, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT CIRCUIT PUBLIC DEFENDERS WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE.

A SENATE RESOLUTION TO HONOR CANCER PATIENTS, SURVIVORS, AND THEIR FAMILIES, TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN LOST TO CANCER, AND TO RECOGNIZE FEBRUARY 26, 2025 AS "SUITS AND SNEAKERS DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

A SENATE RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL, THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHILDHOOD CANCER TASK FORCE, THE MEDICAL SCHOOLS OF THE STATE, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE STAKEHOLDERS TO UNDERTAKE EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A ST. JUDE AFFILIATE PROGRAM IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.