S 0400 General Bill, By Thomas
 A Bill to amend Section 20-7-2240, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976,
 relating to exemptions from the Code requirements pertaining to child welfare
 agencies, so as to delete obsolete language, change the reference to the
 Children's Bureau to the Adoption Program of the Department of Social
 Services, delete the exemption for rescue missions, and provide requirements
 for certain foster care facilities.

   02/09/93  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-9
   02/09/93  Senate Referred to Committee on General SJ-9

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-2240, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE CODE REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES, SO AS TO DELETE OBSOLETE LANGUAGE, CHANGE THE REFERENCE TO THE CHILDREN'S BUREAU TO THE ADOPTION PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, DELETE THE EXEMPTION FOR RESCUE MISSIONS, AND PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN FOSTER CARE FACILITIES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 20-7-2240 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 20-7-2240. (A) The provisions of This subarticle shall does not apply to:

(1) child welfare agencies existing on March 9, 1956, and operating under the active supervision of a governing board representing an established religious denomination, except as these agencies voluntarily assume the obligations and acquire the rights provided by this subarticle.;

(2) the adoption program of the State Children's Bureau. Department of Social Services;

(3) Any a children's home or institution to which state funds are appropriated.;

(4) the John de la Howe School in McCormick County; provided, that. However, if the board of trustees of that school may elect to be licensed by the department, in which case the board of trustees it shall request, to be licensed by resolution, to the department to license the John de la Howe School. When a license has been issued to the John de la Howe school by the department, pursuant to the terms of this subarticle, the school shall be is bound by all rules and regulations promulgated by the department relating pertaining to licensing standards and other related matters pertaining thereto.

(5) Rescue missions, or other similar charitable institutions, organized before May 8, 1959, for the purpose of providing temporary care and custody of children and other needy persons and operating under a local board of trustees pursuant to and duly authorized by law.

(B) However, each foster care facility which does not receive state or federal financial assistance operated by a local church congregation, established religious denomination, or religious college or university shall register annually by January second with the State Department of Social Services reporting the number of children housed at the facility. Each facility must be inspected and approved annually by state or local authorities for compliance with the fire, health, and sanitation requirements."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.