S*0986(Rat #0265, Act #0376 of 2002)  Joint Resolution, By Leatherman, Hayes, 
Drummond, Moore, Peeler, Glover, Courson, Land, Mescher and Alexander

Similar(H 4813)
 A JOINT RESOLUTION TO CREATE A BIRTH DEFECTS SURVEILLANCE TASK FORCE, TO
 PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP, PURPOSE, AND STAFFING, TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO
 REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE
 FEBRUARY 15, 2003, AND TO ABOLISH THE TASK FORCE UPON SUBMISSION OF ITS
 REPORT.-amended title

   02/06/02  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-18
   02/06/02  Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs SJ-18
   03/27/02  Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Medical Affairs SJ-11
   03/28/02  Senate Amended SJ-11
   03/28/02  Senate Read second time SJ-11
   04/02/02  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-7
   04/03/02  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-21
   04/03/02  House  Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-2
   04/10/02  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-13
   04/11/02  House  Amended HJ-66
   04/11/02  House  Read second time HJ-67
   04/11/02  House  Unanimous consent for third reading on next
                     legislative day HJ-67
   04/12/02  House  Read third time and returned to Senate with
                     amendments HJ-8
   04/16/02  Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled SJ-19
   04/25/02         Ratified R 265
   05/01/02         Signed By Governor
   06/19/02         Effective date 05/01/02
   06/19/02         Copies available
   10/11/02         Act No. 376

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO CREATE A BIRTH DEFECTS SURVEILLANCE TASK FORCE, TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP, PURPOSE, AND STAFFING, TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 2003, AND TO ABOLISH THE TASK FORCE UPON SUBMISSION OF ITS REPORT.

Whereas, birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality in South Carolina, accounting for more than twenty percent of all infant death; and

Whereas, many of these deaths could be prevented through proper health care and prenatal care; and

Whereas, targeting communities and populations who are at risk and providing public information are vital to birth defect prevention efforts; and

Whereas, surveillance is necessary to track the incidence of birth defects so that these at-risk communities and populations can be identified for prevention efforts; and

Whereas, a task force to review and make recommendations to the General Assembly would assist in providing the information necessary to develop an effective, comprehensive birth defects program in South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Birth Defects Surveillance Task Force

SECTION 1. (A) There is created the South Carolina Birth Defects Surveillance Task Force to be composed of:

(1) a representative from each of the following to be appointed by the Governor:

(a) March of Dimes, South Carolina Chapter;

(b) South Carolina Perinatal Association;

(c) Greenwood Genetic Center;

(d) South Carolina Hospital Association;

(e) South Carolina Medical Association;

(f) American Academy of Pediatrics, South Carolina Chapter;

(g) Family Connection of South Carolina, Inc.;

(h) Medical University of South Carolina;

(i) University of South Carolina School of Medicine;

(j) South Carolina Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities;

(k) American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, South Carolina Chapter;

(l) South Carolina Heart Institute;

(m) Family Voices of South Carolina.

(2) directors of the following state agencies or their designees:

(a) Department of Disabilities and Special Needs;

(b) Department of Health and Environmental Control;

(c) Department of Health and Human Services;

(3) a representative of the Office of the Governor;

(4) a member of the Senate Finance Committee to be appointed by the chairman of the committee;

(5) a member of the House Ways and Means Committee to be appointed by the chairman of the committee;

(6) a member of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee to be appointed by the chairman of the committee;

(7) a member of the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee to be appointed by the chairman of the committee.

The Governor shall designate the chairman of the task force.

(B) The task force shall study birth defect surveillance methods, programs, and procedures and shall develop recommendations for the establishment of a statewide birth defects surveillance program.

(C) The task force shall submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives before February 15, 2003. Upon submission of the report the task force is abolished.

(D) The task force must be staffed by personnel as provided and assigned by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and by the Governor.

Time effective

SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 25th day of April, 2002.

Approved the 1st day of May, 2002.