South Carolina General Assembly
118th Session, 2009-2010

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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

H. 4240

STATUS INFORMATION

Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Duncan, Long, Wylie, Haley and Willis
Document Path: l:\council\bills\nbd\11569htc10.docx
Companion/Similar bill(s): 4181, 4825

Introduced in the House on January 12, 2010
Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary

Summary: Health care services

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  12/15/2009  House   Prefiled
  12/15/2009  House   Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   1/12/2010  House   Introduced and read first time HJ-41
   1/12/2010  House   Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-41
   3/23/2010  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Haley, Willis

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

12/15/2009

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE "DECLARATION OF RIGHTS", SO AS TO ADD A NEW SECTION PROHIBITING THE ENACTMENT OF ANY LAW THAT RESTRICTS AN INDIVIDUAL'S FREEDOM OF CHOICE OF PRIVATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS OR PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS OR THAT INTERFERES WITH AN INDIVIDUAL'S OR ENTITY'S ABILITY TO PAY     DIRECTLY FOR LAWFUL MEDICAL SERVICES OR THAT IMPOSES A FINE OR PENALTY OF ANY TYPE FOR CHOOSING TO OBTAIN OR DECLINE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE OR FOR PARTICIPATING IN ANY PARTICULAR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OR PLAN.

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

SECTION    1. It is proposed that Article I of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding:

"Section 25.    No law may be enacted that restricts an individual's freedom of choice of private health care systems or private health insurance plans of any type. No law may be enacted that interferes with an individual's or entity's right to pay directly for lawful medical services. No law may be enacted imposing a penalty or fine, of any type, for choosing to obtain or decline health care coverage or for participation in any particular health care system or plan."

SECTION    2.    The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:

"Must Article I of the Constitution of this State, relating to the Declaration of Rights, be amended so as to add a new section prohibiting the enactment of any law that restricts an individual's freedom of choice of private health care systems or private insurance plans or that interferes with an individual's or entity's ability to pay directly for lawful medical services or that imposes a fine or penalty of any type for choosing to obtain or decline health care coverage or for participating in any particular heath care system or plan?

Yes    []

No    []

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."

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This web page was last updated on April 14, 2010 at 3:22 PM