H 4813 Joint Resolution, By Allison, Carnell, Lourie, Quinn, Littlejohn, 
Haskins, J. Brown, Cobb-Hunter, Howard, Ott, J.E. Smith and Hamilton

Similar(S 986)
 A JOINT RESOLUTION TO CREATE A BIRTH DEFECTS SURVEILLANCE STUDY COMMITTEE, TO
 PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP AND ITS PURPOSE, TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO REPORT
 ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE JANUARY 1,
 2003, AND TO ABOLISH THE COMMITTEE UPON SUBMISSION OF ITS REPORT.

   02/27/02  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-93
   02/27/02  House  Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-93
   04/11/02  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hamilton

TO CREATE A BIRTH DEFECTS SURVEILLANCE STUDY COMMITTEE, TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP AND ITS PURPOSE, TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2003, AND TO ABOLISH THE COMMITTEE 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 study committee 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:

SECTION    1.    (A)    There is created the South Carolina Birth Defects Surveillance Study Committee 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 study committee.

    (B)    The committee 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 members of the committee may not receive compensation but are entitled to receive mileage, per diem, and subsistence, from approved accounts of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.

    (D)    The committee 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 January 1, 2003. Upon submission of the report the committee is abolished.

    (E)    The committee 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.

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