H 3011 General Bill, By G.R. Smith, Daning, Thayer, Toole, Taylor, Hamilton, 
G.M. Smith, Hixon, Long, Patrick and Bikas
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 38-71-285 SO AS TO ENACT THE "FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN HEALTH CARE ACT" AND TO
 PROVIDE THAT A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE MUST NOT BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN OR
 MAINTAIN A POLICY OF INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE COVERAGE AND TO PROVIDE THAT A
 RESIDENT IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY PENALTY, FEE, OR FINE AS A RESULT OF THE
 RESIDENT'S FAILURE TO PROCURE OR OBTAIN HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

   12/07/10  House  Prefiled
   12/07/10  House  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
   01/11/11  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 8)
   01/11/11  House  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry (House Journal-page 8)
   01/12/11  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Long
   01/19/11  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Patrick
   02/09/11  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Bikas

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-285 SO AS TO ENACT THE "FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN HEALTH CARE ACT" AND TO PROVIDE THAT A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE MUST NOT BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN OR MAINTAIN A POLICY OF INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE COVERAGE AND TO PROVIDE THAT A RESIDENT IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY PENALTY, FEE, OR FINE AS A RESULT OF THE RESIDENT'S FAILURE TO PROCURE OR OBTAIN HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

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

SECTION    1.    This act may be cited as the "Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act".

SECTION    2.    Article 1, Chapter 71, Title 38 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 38-71-285.    A resident of this State, regardless of whether he has or is eligible for health insurance coverage under any policy or program provided by or through his employer, or a plan sponsored by the State or the federal government, must not be required to obtain or maintain a policy of individual insurance coverage. No provision of this title renders a resident of this State liable for any penalty, assessment, fee, or fine as a result of the resident's failure to procure or obtain health insurance coverage."

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.