Senate subcommittee advances measure to extend transport certificate period after disasters

A Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee advanced S299, a bill that would extend the expiration of certain medical transport certificates to three days after conditions are safe for transport in life‑threatening incidents or natural disasters.

Committee staff introduced the bill, explaining it adds hospitals and the state department to the list of entities authorized to arrange transport, creates minimum standards, and provides civil‑liability immunity for law enforcement, EMTs, certifying physicians and third parties that meet those standards. The sponsor said the bill responds to a 2019 incident in Horry County in which patients were lost in transport during inclement weather.

Members noted earlier technical concerns about liability and third‑party contractor language that had delayed the bill. After brief discussion emphasizing the bill’s intent to prevent future transport tragedies and to allow family members to assist in non‑flight, low‑harm cases with physician approval, members moved the bill and approved it by voice vote; proxies and multiple 'ayes' were recorded but no roll‑call tally was provided.

The committee’s action was procedural: the record shows a voice vote carrying the motion. The transcript indicates senators discussed possible floor amendments by an absent senator; no floor action or final enactment date was recorded during the hearing.

The next procedural step for S299 is the committee’s formal referral and any floor action; the subcommittee record indicates the measure was advanced from the subcommittee stage.