S*0810(Rat #0544, Act #0517 of 1992)  General Bill, By Land
 A Bill to amend Section 47-5-60, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976,
 relating to rabies innoculation, so as to require it with a frequency
 sufficient to give continuous protection rather than annually and to require
 veterinarians to report annually on the number of animals innoculated; to
 amend Section 47-5-150, relating to antirabic vaccine, so as to provide that
 the Department must be reimbursed for the vaccine rather than required to
 provide it free; to amend Section 47-5-180, relating to enforcement, so as to
 require the Department to enforce the Rabies Control Act; to repeal Sections
 47-5-70, 47-5-130, 47-5-140, 47-5-160, and 47-5-170, relating to rabies
 control.-amended title

   03/26/91  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-8
   03/26/91  Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs SJ-8
   03/10/92  Senate Committee report: Favorable Medical Affairs SJ-7
   03/11/92  Senate Read second time SJ-23
   03/11/92  Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
                     amendments SJ-23
   03/12/92  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-20
   03/17/92  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-10
   03/17/92  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-10
   04/15/92  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental
                     Affairs HJ-4
   04/29/92  House  Objection by Rep. Cromer, Rogers, Waites, Hodges
                     & McElveen HJ-274
   05/06/92  House  Objection withdrawn by Rep. Waites HJ-80
   05/20/92  House  Objection by Rep. McLeod HJ-82
   05/21/92  House  Objection withdrawn by Rep. McLeod & Cromer HJ-52
   05/27/92  House  Amended HJ-97
   05/27/92  House  Read second time HJ-99
   05/28/92  House  Read third time and returned to Senate with
                     amendments HJ-28
   06/02/92  Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled SJ-54
   06/04/92         Ratified R 544
   09/02/92         Signed By Governor
   09/02/92         Effective date 09/02/92
   09/02/92         Act No. 517
   09/15/92         Copies available

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-60, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO RABIES INOCULATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE IT WITH A FREQUENCY SUFFICIENT TO GIVE CONTINUOUS PROTECTION RATHER THAN ANNUALLY AND TO REQUIRE VETERINARIANS TO REPORT ANNUALLY ON THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS INOCULATED; TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-150, RELATING TO THE ANTIRABIC VACCINE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MUST BE REIMBURSED FOR THE VACCINE RATHER THAN REQUIRED TO PROVIDE IT FREE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-180, RELATING TO ENFORCEMENT, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ENFORCE THE RABIES CONTROL ACT; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 47-5-70, 47-5-130, 47-5-140, 47-5-160, AND 47-5-170, RELATING TO RABIES CONTROL.

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

Rabies inoculation of pets; certification of inoculation

SECTION 1. Section 47-5-60 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 47-5-60. A pet owner must have it inoculated against rabies at a frequency to provide continuous protection of the pet from rabies using a vaccine approved by the department and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture--Veterinary Biologics Division. Evidence of rabies inoculation is a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. The rabies vaccination certificate forms may be provided by the licensed veterinarian or by the department or its designee. The veterinarian may stamp or write his name and address on the certificate. The certificate must include information recommended by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians. The licensed veterinarian administering the vaccine shall provide one copy of the certificate to the owner of the pet and must retain one copy in his files for not less than three years. With the issuance of the certificate, the licensed veterinarian shall furnish a serially numbered metal license tag bearing the same number and year as the certificate with the name and telephone number of the veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or practice. The metal license tag at all times must be attached to a collar or harness worn by the pet for which the certificate and tag have been issued. Annually before February first, the veterinarian shall report to the department the number of animals inoculated against rabies during the preceding year. The department, in conjunction with licensed veterinarians, shall promote annual rabies clinics. The fee for rabies inoculation at these clinics may not exceed three dollars, including the cost of the vaccine, and this charge must be paid by the pet owner. Fees collected by veterinarians at these clinics are their compensation."

Reimbursement of Department for furnishing antirabic (human) vaccine

SECTION 2. Section 47-5-150 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 47-5-150. When it considers necessary, the department shall furnish antirabic (human) vaccine to the physician attendant upon persons bitten by or otherwise exposed to a pet or other animal found or suspected to be affected by rabies. If the department considers it necessary to provide antirabic (human) vaccine to the persons bitten or otherwise exposed to a pet suspected of or having rabies that has not been vaccinated, the pet owner shall reimburse the department for the cost of the vaccine. Reimbursement is due the department within thirty days after billing."

Enforcement

SECTION 3. Section 47-5-180 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 47-5-180. The department shall enforce this chapter. The sheriff and his deputies, the police officers in each incorporated municipality, and animal control officials in each county and municipality shall assist and cooperate with the county health department in enforcing this chapter."

Repeal

SECTION 4. Sections 47-5-70, 47-5-130, 47-5-140, 47-5-160, and 47-5-170 of the 1976 Code are repealed.

Time effective

SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Approved the 2nd day of September, 1992.