House medical subcommittee advances several health-related bills

The House medical subcommittee on Thursday advanced a package of health-related measures, adopting amendments and voting each bill out of committee for floor consideration.

Representative Cox opened with a subcommittee report on bill 47.99, which clarifies certificate-of-need exemptions to include "veterans homes" operated by the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs. "Legislative counsel has brought to our attention that the language throughout the South Carolina code, the term veterans homes is used instead of veterans nursing homes," Cox said, and moved unanimous consent to substitute the subcommittee's amendment to correct the terminology. The committee recorded unanimous support on the amendment and on the bill as amended.

The committee also approved a recommitment of Senate Bill 695 back to subcommittee for additional review after Representative Cox asked for more time to refine language and protections for veterans.

Representative Sessions shepherded several measures from the medical subcommittee. Senate Bill 146 was approved as amended; it permits residents of long-term care facilities to designate up to three specific people who may visit during declared emergencies (one visitor at a time) and excludes clergy from the three-person count, per the subcommittee amendment. Representative Beach's amendment removing a facility-only vendor list for privately hired "sitters" drew questions on screening and background checks. Beach argued the amendment "gives more freedom to the family," while other members said facilities retain authority to trespass problematic visitors. The committee approved the Beach amendment and later voted the bill out as amended.

Senate Bill 449, sponsored by Senator Verdon and presented by Representative Sessions, would expressly authorize pharmacists and physicians to enter into collaborative practice agreements, require shared access to electronic medical records or HIPAA-compliant alternatives, and direct the State Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Medical Examiners to write implementing regulations. The committee adopted two technical amendments — including language to require periodic review "no less than annually" — and advanced the bill.

House Bill 5164, which creates a narrow exception to fire and building codes to permit hospital placement of patient beds in hallways or corridors during a justified emergency, passed as amended. The subcommittee amendment clarifies that a designated emergency-department leader would authorize hallway beds and requires maintaining clear pathways and emergency protocols.

Votes at a glance: [47.99 — amendment and final passage as amended; SB695 — recommitted to subcommittee; SB146 — amendment approved and passed as amended; SB449 — two amendments approved and passed as amended; HB5164 — amendment approved and passed as amended].

Lawmakers said they will carry the amended measures to the full House. The committee adjourned with no further action scheduled in this meeting.