Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

May 3, 2023

S. 343

 

Introduced by Senators Shealy, Jackson, Hutto and Sabb

 

S. Printed 05/03/23--H.

Read the first time March 15, 2023

 

________

 

The committee on HOUSE Medical, MILITARY, PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL Affairs

To who was referred a Bill (S.343) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 44-7-130, relating to Definitions in the State Certification of Need and Health Facility Licensure Act, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

SYLLESTE DAVIS for Committee.

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill amends the definition of a crisis stabilization unit facility to include all short-term residential stabilization and intensive crisis services.  Currently, a crisis stabilization unit must be operated by or in partnership with the Department of Mental Health.  The bill also expands the definition to include services for age five and older, instead of age eighteen and older. 

Department of Health and Environmental Control.  DHEC indicates that crisis stabilization unit facilities are currently exempt from Certificate of Need review since the term crisis stabilization unit is not included in the definition of a health care facility, among other things. This bill does not change this process.  Under this bill, these facilities will not need a written exemption from the agency. 

However, these facilities will now come under licensure and oversight requirements pursuant to Section 44-7-260. DHEC will need to update current regulation that governs standards for crisis stabilization unit facilities to remove the requirement that the facility must be operated by or in partnership with the Department of Mental Health.  The agency will also need to create standards for the licensure, maintenance, and operation of facilities serving ages five to seventeen.  Further, DHEC will issue licenses and conduct inspections pursuant to current regulation.  DHEC anticipates being able to manage updating the current regulation and creating the additional standards within existing appropriations and with existing staff.  However, the number of potential new applicants and licensees is unknown.  If the number increases significantly, the bill may impact DHEC's expenditures.

Department of Health and Human Services.  The expenditure impact of this bill on DHHS is pending, contingent upon a response.

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-7-130, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS in the State Certification of Need and Health Facility Licensure Act, SO AS TO INCLUDE ALL SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL STABILIZATION AND INTENSIVE CRISIS SERVICES IN THE DEFINITION of crisis stabilization unit facilities AND TO CHANGE THE AGE OF THE INDIVIDUALS SERVED IN SAME.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 44-7-130(26) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    As used in this article:

    (26) "Crisis stabilization unit facility" means a facility, other than a health care facility, operated by the Department of Mental Health or operated in partnership with the Department of Mental Health that provides a short-term residential program, offering psychiatric stabilization services and brief, intensive crisis services to individuals eighteen five and older, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

 

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

----XX----