S*0066(Rat #0349, Act #0320 of 2006)  General Bill, By Short, Ford, Lourie, 
Cleary, Malloy and Ryberg

Similar(H 3132)
 AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 44-61-120, AS AMENDED, 44-61-130, AS AMENDED, AND
 44-61-330 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO
 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO INCLUDE GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF
 EPINEPHRINE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PLAN; TO
 CLARIFY THAT EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS MAY POSSESS CERTAIN CONTROLLED
 SUBSTANCES WHILE ON DUTY; AND TO REQUIRE GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF
 EPINEPHRINE TO A CHILD SUFFERING FROM A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION. - ratified
 title

   12/08/04  Senate Prefiled
   12/08/04  Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs
   01/11/05  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-111
   01/11/05  Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs SJ-111
   03/23/06  Senate Committee report: Favorable Medical Affairs SJ-6
   03/28/06  Senate Read second time SJ-18
   03/29/06  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-20
   03/30/06  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-8
   03/30/06  House  Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-8
   05/18/06  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-4
   05/24/06  House  Amended HJ-84
   05/24/06  House  Read second time HJ-86
   05/25/06  House  Read third time and returned to Senate with
                     amendments HJ-13
   05/25/06  Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled SJ-192
   05/31/06         Ratified R 349
   06/02/06         Signed By Governor
   06/09/06         Copies available
   06/09/06         Effective date 06/02/06
   06/16/06         Act No. 320

(A320, R349, S66)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 44-61-120, AS AMENDED, 44-61-130, AS AMENDED, AND 44-61-330 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO INCLUDE GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PLAN; TO CLARIFY THAT EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS MAY POSSESS CERTAIN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES WHILE ON DUTY; AND TO REQUIRE GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE TO A CHILD SUFFERING FROM A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION.

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

Guidelines to be developed for the administration of epinephrine by emergency medical technicians

SECTION    1.    Section 44-61-120 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 271 of 2004, is further amended to read:

"Section 44-61-120.    The department shall develop a comprehensive statewide emergency medical services plan to implement and ensure the delivery of adequate emergency medical services to every citizen. This plan must include guidelines for basic, intermediate, and paramedic emergency medical technicians for the administration of epinephrine to a person suffering or believed to be suffering from anaphylaxis."

Possession of controlled substances by emergency medical technicians authorized only while on duty

SECTION    2.    Section 44-61-130 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 271 of 2004, is further amended to read:

"Section 44-61-130.    A certified emergency medical technician may perform any function consistent with his certification, according to guidelines and regulations that the board may prescribe. Emergency medical technicians, trained to provide advanced life support and possessing current Department of Health and Environmental Control certification while on duty with a licensed service, are authorized to possess limited quantities of drugs, including controlled substances, as may be approved by the Department of Health and Environmental Control for administration to patients during the regular course of duties of emergency medical technicians, pursuant to the written or verbal order of a physician possessing a valid license to practice medicine in this State; however, the physician must be registered pursuant to state and federal laws pertaining to controlled substances."

Guidelines to be established for the administration of epinephrine to children by emergency medical technicians

SECTION    3.    Section 44-61-330 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 44-61-330.    (A)    The EMSC Program must include, but is not limited to, the establishment of:

(1)    initial and continuing education programs for emergency medical services personnel that include training in the emergency care of infants and children;

(2)    guidelines for referring children to the appropriate emergency treatment facility;

(3)    pediatric equipment guidelines for pre-hospital care;

(4)    guidelines for basic, intermediate, and paramedic emergency medical technician certification for administering epinephrine to children suffering from a severe allergic reaction;

(5)    pediatric equipment guidelines for emergency departments;

(6)    guidelines for pediatric trauma centers;

(7)    an interhospital transfer system for critically ill or injured children;

(8)    in conjunction with the South Carolina Data Oversight Council, the collection and analysis of statewide pediatric emergency and critical care medical services data from emergency and critical care medical services for the purpose of quality improvement by these facilities and services, subject to the confidentiality requirements of Section 44-61-350;

(9)    injury prevention programs for parents;

(10)    public education programs on accessing the emergency medical services system and what to do until the emergency medical services personnel arrive.

(B)    In gathering statewide pediatric emergency and critical care medical services data, the department shall rely upon, to the extent possible, data from existing sources; however, the department may contact families and physicians for the purpose of gathering additional data and providing information on available public and private resources. Information requested from a physician's office must be obtained pursuant to Chapter 115. Patient contact following data received from the State Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics must be conducted in accordance with regulations approved by the South Carolina Data Oversight Council and promulgated by the Office of Research and Statistics."

Time effective

SECTION    4.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 31st day of May, 2006.

Approved the 2nd day of June, 2006.