South Carolina General Assembly
112th Session, 1997-1998
Journal of the House of Representatives

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1998

Thursday, February 19, 1998
(Statewide Session)

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 10:00 A.M.

Deliberations were opened with prayer by the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark as follows:

O God, everlasting Father, we come into Your holy presence to envoke upon us Your guidance and wisdom. We ask light enough for the next step, courage enough for the present duty, truth enough for each decision. Cause us to know that the world's best tranquilizer is the knowledge of work well done. Stay with us in abundant measure that we may be a mighty army whose armor is the shield of Your truth and whose sword is the might of Your strength against which all the spears of evil cannot prevail.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

MOTION ADOPTED

Rep. YOUNG moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of The Honorable Bernard J. Warshauer of Sumter, which was agreed to.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

The following was received.
Columbia, S.C., February 18, 1998
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has appointed Senators Branton and Grooms as substitutions to former members, Williams and Rose, of the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate on S. 461:
S. 461 -- Senators Mescher and Rose: A BILL TO CREATE A REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS COMMISSION FOR BERKELEY COUNTY, ABOLISH THE COMMISSIONERS OF ELECTION AND THE REGISTRATION BOARD OF BERKELEY COUNTY, AND DEVOLVE THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES UPON THE CREATED COMMISSION.
Very respectfully,
President

Received as information.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE

Rep. CATO, from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry, submitted a favorable report, with amendments, on:

H. 4569 -- Reps. Cato and Gamble: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-58-67 SO AS TO REQUIRE ANNUAL CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FOR LICENSED MORTGAGE LOAN BROKERS AND ORIGINATORS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 40-58-10, 40-58-20, 40-58-30, 40-58-50, 40-58-55, 40-58-60, 40-58-65, 40-58-80, AND 40-58-110, ALL AS AMENDED, RELATING TO REGULATION OF MORTGAGE LOAN BROKERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE LICENSING RATHER THAN REGISTRATION OF MORTGAGE LOAN BROKERS, TO REQUIRE TWO YEARS' EXPERIENCE WORKING AS AN ORIGINATOR BEFORE INITIAL LICENSING AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS, TO DEFINE "ORIGINATOR"; TO ALLOW BROKERS PROPERLY REGISTERED BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 1998, TO CONTINUE TO ACT AS MORTGAGE LOAN BROKERS WITHOUT REGARD TO EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ADDED BY THIS ACT, TO AUTHORIZE THE SUSPENSION OF A LICENSE FOR VIOLATIONS, AND TO INCREASE THE INITIAL APPLICATION FEE AND ANNUAL RENEWAL FEE FROM FIVE TO SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS AND IMPOSE A TWENTY-FIVE DOLLAR ADDITIONAL ANNUAL RENEWAL FEE FOR EACH ORIGINATOR.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. CATO, from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry, submitted a favorable report, with amendments, Rep. KIRSH, for the minority, submitted an unfavorable report, on:

H. 4354 -- Reps. Cato, Kirsh, Mason, Sandifer and Seithel: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 34-1-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE STATE BOARD OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, SO AS TO REFLECT THE MERGER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA BANKERS ASSOCIATION AND THE STATE SAVINGS AND LOAN LEAGUE.

Order for consideration tomorrow.

REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE

Rep. QUINN, from the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions, submitted a favorable report, on:

H. 4495 -- Reps. Kelley, Keegan, Edge, Limehouse, Whatley, T. Brown, Mason, Barfield, Miller, Sheheen and Witherspoon: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM THROUGH FEBRUARY 1, 1999, ON ISSUING NEW LICENSES TO AN OUTPATIENT METHADONE TREATMENT FACILITY.

H. 4495--ADOPTED AND SENT TO THE SENATE

On motion of Rep. KELLEY, with unanimous consent, the following Concurrent Resolution was taken up for immediate consideration.

H. 4495 -- Reps. Kelley, Keegan, Edge, Limehouse, Whatley, T. Brown, Mason, Barfield, Miller, Sheheen and Witherspoon: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM THROUGH FEBRUARY 1, 1999, ON ISSUING NEW LICENSES TO AN OUTPATIENT METHADONE TREATMENT FACILITY.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the Commissioner of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is requested to impose a moratorium through February 1, 1999, on issuing new licenses for any outpatient methadone treatment facility.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
to the Honorable Douglas E. Bryant, Commissioner, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Rep. KELLEY explained the Concurrent Resolution.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the Senate.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

The following Bills were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committees:

H. 4668 -- Reps. Askins, Kennedy, Lanford, Young, Knotts, Cato, Quinn, Harrison, Haskins, Felder, Robinson, Harvin, Jennings, Harrell, A. Harris, Carnell and Bailey: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2110, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MAXIMUM TAX IMPOSED ON THE SALE OR LEASE OF CERTAIN ITEMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT FOR PURPOSES OF COMPUTING THE MAXIMUM SALES TAX ON THE SALE OR LEASE OF FIRE TRUCKS, ANY EQUIPMENT PURCHASED FROM THE SAME VENDOR AND INSTALLED ON THAT FIRE TRUCK SHALL BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE PURCHASE OR LEASE PRICE OF THE FIRE TRUCK.

Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

H. 4669 -- Rep. Wilkins: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1120, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC INTEREST, SO AS TO DELETE PROVISIONS WHERE A CREDITOR IS SUBJECT TO REGULATION BY THE FILER OR IS SEEKING OR HAS SOUGHT A BUSINESS OR FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE FILER'S AGENCY OR DEPARTMENT.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

H. 4670 -- Reps. Wilkins, Haskins, D. Smith, Cato, J. Brown, Townsend, Harrison, H. Brown and Sharpe: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-11-15, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS TO RUN AS A CANDIDATE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TIME FOR FILING FOR OFFICE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 7-11-210, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE NOTICE OF CANDIDACY AND PLEDGE BY A CANDIDATE FOR SELECTION AS A NOMINEE OF A POLITICAL PARTY, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DATE FOR FILING THE NOTICE OR PLEDGE.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

H. 4671 -- Rep. Harrison: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 29-3-325, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO RECORDING SATISFACTION OR CANCELLATION OF A MORTGAGE, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS AND LANGUAGE AND PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT UPON PAYMENT IN FULL OF A MORTGAGE DEBT, WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SATISFACTION OF THE MORTGAGE, AND PAYMENT OF ANY REQUIRED SATISFACTION FEE, THE MORTGAGEE OR ASSIGNEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RECORDING THE SATISFACTION OR CANCELLATION OF THE MORTGAGE IT HOLDS; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 29-3-320, RELATING TO LIABILITY FOR FAILURE TO ENTER SATISFACTION OF A MORTGAGE.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

H. 4672 -- Reps. Edge, Kelley, Keegan and Mullen: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM SALES TAX, SECTION 27-32-170, RELATING TO EXEMPTION FROM SALES TAX OF SALE OF A VACATION TIME SHARING PLAN, AND SECTION 27-32-250, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EXEMPTION FROM SALES TAX OF SALE OF A VACATION MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP INTEREST, ALL SO AS TO EXEMPT FROM SALES TAX THE SALE OR RESALE OR THE EXCHANGE OF AN INTEREST IN A VACATION TIME SHARING PLAN AND A VACATION MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP INTEREST.

Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 4673 -- Rep. Cromer: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO AMEND THE UNITED STATES CODE TO PERMIT FULL CONCURRENT RECEIPT OF MILITARY LONGEVITY RETIREMENT PAY AND SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS.

The Concurrent Resolution was ordered referred to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions.

ROLL CALL

The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows.

Allison                Altman                 Barfield
Barrett                Battle                 Bauer
Baxley                 Beck                   Boan
Bowers                 Breeland               Brown, G.
Brown, H.              Brown, J.              Brown, T.
Campsen                Canty                  Cato
Cave                   Chellis                Clyburn
Cobb-Hunter            Cooper                 Cotty
Cromer                 Dantzler               Davenport
Delleney               Easterday              Edge
Fleming                Gamble                 Gourdine
Harrell                Harris                 Harrison
Harvin                 Haskins                Hawkins
Hines, J.              Hines, M.              Hinson
Inabinett              Jordan                 Keegan
Kelley                 Kennedy                Kinon
Kirsh                  Klauber                Knotts
Lanford                Law                    Leach
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Lloyd
Loftis                 Mack                   Maddox
Martin                 Mason                  McCraw
McGee                  McKay                  McLeod
McMahand               Meacham                Miller
Moody-Lawrence         Mullen                 Neal
Neilson                Phillips               Pinckney
Rhoad                  Rice                   Riser
Robinson               Rodgers                Sandifer
Scott                  Sharpe                 Sheheen
Simrill                Smith, D.              Smith, F.
Smith, J.              Smith, R.              Stille
Stuart                 Townsend               Tripp
Trotter                Vaughn                 Walker
Webb                   Whatley                Wilder
Wilkes                 Wilkins                Witherspoon
Woodrum                Young                  Young-Brickell

STATEMENT OF ATTENDANCE

I came in after the roll call and was present for the Session on Thursday, February 19.

Jennings G. McAbee                Glenn Lewis Hamilton
Leon Howard                       Joe McMaster
Eugene C. Stoddard                Alma W. Byrd
Marion P. Carnell                 George H. Bailey
Douglas Jennings, Jr.             Lynn Seithel
Jerry N. Govan, Jr.               Harry R. Askins
John G. Felder                    Larry L. Koon
Jackson S. Whipper
Total Present--120

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER granted Rep. SPEARMAN a leave of absence for the day.

DOCTOR OF THE DAY

Announcement was made that Dr. Boyce Tollison of Easley is the Doctor of the Day for the General Assembly.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Rep. MASON and the Aiken County Delegation presented to the House the South Aiken High School "Lady Thoroughbreds" Girls' Tennis Team winners of the 1997 Class AAAA State Championship, their coaches and staff.

H. 3150--CO-SPONSORS ADDED

In accordance with House Rule 5.2 below:

"5.2     Every bill before presentation shall have its title endorsed; every report, its title at length; every petition, memorial, or other paper, its prayer or substance; and, in every instance, the name of the member presenting any paper shall be endorsed and the papers shall be presented by the member to the Speaker at the desk. After a bill or resolution has been presented and given first reading, no further names of co-sponsors may be added. A member may add his name to a bill or resolution or a co-sponsor of a bill or resolution may remove his name at any time prior to the bill or resolution receiving passage on second reading. The member or co-sponsor shall notify the Clerk of the House in writing of his desire to have his name added or removed from the bill or resolution. The Clerk of the House shall print the member's or co-sponsor's written notification in the House Journal. The removal or addition of a name does not apply to a bill or resolution sponsored by a committee."

BILL NUMBER: H. 3150

DATE                             ADD

2/19/98                             J.M. Knotts, Jr.

2/19/98                             John L. Scott, Jr.

H. 3784--CO-SPONSORS ADDED

BILL NUMBER: H. 3784

DATE                         ADD

2/19/98                         George Campsen III

2/19/98                         Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

SENT TO THE SENATE

The following Bills and Joint Resolution were taken up, read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate.

H. 4400 -- Rep. D. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 321 OF 1969, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE DRAYTON FIRE DISTRICT IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT THE BOARD OF FIRE CONTROL MAY BORROW FROM TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

H. 4630 -- Reps. Fleming and Wilder: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 951 OF 1970, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SOUTH SIDE FIRE DISTRICT IN UNION COUNTY, SO AS TO INCREASE ITS BORROWING AUTHORITY FROM TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS TO TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

H. 4637 -- Reps. Fleming and Wilder: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 482 OF 1969, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE JONESVILLE FIRE DISTRICT IN UNION COUNTY, SO AS TO INCREASE ITS BORROWING AUTHORITY FROM SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

H. 4377 -- Reps. Haskins, Spearman, Kirsh, Wilkins, Bauer, Cato, Gamble, Leach, Sandifer, Young-Brickell, Riser, Moody-Lawrence and McLeod: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 75, TITLE 40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS BY ADDING ARTICLE 3, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF SPECIALISTS IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY; TO AMEND SECTION 40-75-20, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR THE LICENSURE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, ASSOCIATE COUNSELORS, AND MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, SO AS TO ADD A SPECIALIST IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY TO THE BOARD; TO REQUIRE PERSONS QUALIFIED TO PRACTICE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT TO APPLY FOR LICENSURE BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 1998; AND TO DESIGNATE SECTIONS 40-75-10 THROUGH 40-75-190 AS ARTICLE 1 OF CHAPTER 75, TITLE 40, ENTITLED "PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, ASSOCIATE COUNSELORS, AND MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPISTS" AND TO RENAME CHAPTER 75, TITLE 40 "PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, ASSOCIATE COUNSELORS, MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND SPECIALISTS IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY".

H. 3820 -- Reps. Beck, Edge, Mason, Carnell, Trotter, Sharpe, Cato, R. Smith, Clyburn, Limehouse, H. Brown, Harrison, Bailey and Tripp: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-55-55 SO AS TO PROHIBIT PRACTICING PSYCHOLOGY WITHOUT A LICENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 40-55-50, RELATING TO ACTS CONSTITUTING PRACTICING AS A PSYCHOLOGIST SO AS TO FURTHER SPECIFY WHAT ACTS CONSTITUTE SUCH PRACTICE; TO AMEND SECTION 40-55-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGY LICENSE AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS SO AS TO REMOVE THE PROVISIONS THAT A PERSON MAY HAVE A DOCTOR'S DEGREE IN AN ALLIED FIELD RATHER THAN IN PSYCHOLOGY AND THAT A LICENSE MAY BE AWARDED WITHOUT EXAMINATION; TO AMEND SECTION 40-55-90, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM PSYCHOLOGY LICENSURE SO AS TO FURTHER SPECIFY AND CLARIFY THESE EXEMPTIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-55-170, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICE ACT SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO PRACTICE OR OFFER TO PRACTICE PSYCHOLOGY IN VIOLATION OF CHAPTER 55, TITLE 40, TO INCREASE PENALTIES, AND TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO REFER POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS TO THE SOLICITOR.

H. 4636 -- Reps. Harrell, Robinson, Campsen, Easterday, Sandifer, Whipper, Baxley, Seithel, Allison, Hinson, McKay, Littlejohn, Jennings, J. Hines, R. Smith, Clyburn, Bailey, Edge, Leach, Cobb-Hunter, Wilkins, Scott, McCraw, Neilson, T. Brown, Townsend, Chellis, Davenport, Stille, Young-Brickell, Walker, Woodrum, Rodgers, Webb, Gamble, A. Harris, Klauber, Kinon, Bauer, Dantzler, Phillips, Cato, Bowers, Barrett, Meacham and Mack: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 59-39-105 OF THE 1976 CODE RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STAR DIPLOMA, FOR THE 1997-98 AND 1998-99 SCHOOL YEARS ONLY, GRADUATING SENIORS FROM HIGH SCHOOL SHALL BE GRANTED A WAIVER AS AND IF NECESSARY OF THE ADDITIONAL COMPUTER SCIENCE UNIT OR THE ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS UNIT, OR BOTH, REQUIRED FOR A STAR DIPLOMA AND SCHOLARSHIP.

ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bills and Joint Resolutions were taken up, read the second time, and ordered to a third reading:

H. 4650 -- Reps. Edge, Barfield, Witherspoon and Kelley: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE HORRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTED IN THE YEAR 2000 ONLY AS PROVIDED BY LAW SHALL SERVE FOR TERMS OF TWO YEARS EACH RATHER THAN FOR TERMS OF FOUR YEARS EACH, AND TO PROVIDE THAT AT THE 2002 GENERAL ELECTION, FOUR-YEAR TERMS MUST BE RESUMED, AND THE BOARD SHALL BE REDUCED TO SEVEN MEMBERS, WITH SIX MEMBERS ELECTED FROM DEFINED SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED AND DRAWN BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE YEAR 2000 CENSUS AND THE SEVENTH MEMBER WHO SHALL CONTINUE TO BE THE CHAIRMAN ELECTED FROM THE COUNTY AT LARGE.

S. 881 -- Senator Peeler: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 588 OF 1994, RELATING TO THE ONE CENT SALES AND USE TAX IMPOSED FOLLOWING REFERENDUM APPROVAL IN CHEROKEE COUNTY FOR DEBT SERVICE ON BONDED INDEBTEDNESS OF CHEROKEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 1 AND THE PER PUPIL ALLOCATION FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS TO ANY OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT IN CHEROKEE COUNTY, SO AS TO REQUIRE A PRO RATA REFUND OF PROPERTY TAXES FOR BONDED INDEBTEDNESS FOR SCHOOLS FROM EXCESS SALES AND USE TAX COLLECTED FOR THIS PURPOSE IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR IN THE MANNER THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND TREASURER, SHALL DETERMINE.

H. 4656 -- Reps. Breeland, Seithel, Chellis, Harrell, Campsen, Altman, Whipper, Limehouse, Dantzler, Inabinett, Whatley and Mack: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-140, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO VOTING PRECINCTS IN CHARLESTON COUNTY, SO AS TO REDESIGNATE THESE PRECINCTS AND DESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE LINES OF THESE PRECINCTS ARE DELINEATED.

H. 3382 -- Reps. Robinson, Cromer, Barrett, Neal, Kirsh, Sandifer, Harrison, Limbaugh, D. Smith, Meacham and Trotter: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-21-2710, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION AGAINST THE POSSESSION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF GAMING OR SLOT MACHINES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION DO NOT APPLY TO ANTIQUE SLOT MACHINES MADE BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1965, WHICH ARE KEPT BY THE OWNER THEREOF IN HIS PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE AND NOT USED FOR COMMERCIAL OR GAMING PURPOSES.

Rep. JENNINGS explained the Bill.

S. 583 -- Senator Giese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-510, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS RELEVANT TO RESPIRATORY CARE, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF THE "PRACTICE OF RESPIRATORY CARE"; TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-530, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM RESPIRATORY CARE REGULATION, SO AS TO INCLUDE AS AN EXEMPTION EMPLOYEES OF DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT COMPANIES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 40-47-520, 40-47-590, 40-47-600, AS AMENDED, 40-47-610, 40-47-620, 40-47-625, 40-47-630, AS AMENDED, 40-47-640, 40-47-650, 40-47-655, AS AMENDED, AND 40-47-660, AS AMENDED, ALL RELATING TO THE CERTIFICATION AND REGULATION OF RESPIRATORY CARE THERAPISTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE LICENSURE RATHER THAN CERTIFICATION.

Rep. BATTLE explained the Bill.

H. 4383 -- Reps. Cobb-Hunter, Canty, McLeod and Moody-Lawrence: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 105 TO TITLE 59 SO AS TO REQUIRE AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING TO DEVELOP, PUBLISH, AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO PROMOTE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS OF CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT.

Rep. STILLE explained the Bill.

H. 4648 -- Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, RELATING TO SOUTH CAROLINA CENTRAL CANCER REGISTRY, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2262, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

Rep. WILDER explained the Joint Resolution.

H. 4649 -- Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS, RELATING TO DATA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO SUBMISSION OF AMBULATORY ENCOUNTER DATA, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2237, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

Rep. WILDER explained the Joint Resolution.

H. 4549 -- Reps. Allison, Hamilton, Altman, G. Brown, Inabinett, Rice, Mason, Stoddard, Beck, Sandifer, McKay, Battle, R. Smith, Walker, Canty, Keegan, Lloyd, Phillips, Rhoad, Riser, Breeland, McCraw, M. Hines, Neal, F. Smith, Mack, Wilkes, Byrd, Moody-Lawrence, Bauer, Barrett, Carnell, Jennings, D. Smith, Simrill, Vaughn, Young, Robinson, McGee, Rodgers, Littlejohn, Bowers, Jordan, Cave, Stille, Baxley, Gamble, Govan and McLeod: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH TO DEVELOP AND SUBMIT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY A PROPOSAL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A NURSING HOME FACILITY FOR STATE VETERANS.

Rep. ALLISON explained the Joint Resolution.

H. 4650--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. EDGE, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4650 be read the third time tomorrow.

S. 881--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. PHILLIPS, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 881 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 4656--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. SEITHEL, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4656 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 3382--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. JENNINGS, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 3382 be read the third time tomorrow.

S. 583--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. BATTLE, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 583 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 4383--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. STILLE, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4383 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 4648--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. WILDER, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4648 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 4649--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. WILDER, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4649 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 4549--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. ALLISON, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4549 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 4445--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4445 -- Reps. Harrison and Cotty: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-767, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES REGARDING CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, SO AS TO REVISE THE DUTIES CONCERNING CONDUCTING VISITS TO FOSTER HOMES AND CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS OF FOSTER FAMILIES; TO DELETE THE PROVISION REQUIRING STATE EMPLOYEES TO REPORT VIOLATIONS OF THIS SECTION; TO REQUIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION AND TO STATE THE DUTIES OF FOSTER PARENTS TO COMPLY WITH THIS SECTION.

The Judiciary Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\AMEND\JIC\5262AC.98).

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/SECTION     __.     Section 20-7-764(B) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 450 of 1996, is amended to read:

"(B)     The placement plan shall include, but is not limited to:

(1)     the specific reasons for removal of the child from the custody of the parent or guardian, and the changes that must be made before the child may be returned, including:

(a)     the nature of the harm or threatened harm that necessitated removal, a description of the problems or conditions in the home that caused the harm or threatened harm, and the reason why the child could not be protected without removal.

(b)     the nature of the changes in the home and family situation that must be made in order to correct the problems and conditions that necessitated removal, time frames for accomplishing these objectives, and means for measuring whether the objectives have been accomplished. The objectives stated in this part of the plan must relate to problems and circumstances serious enough to justify removal. The plan must be oriented to correcting these problems and circumstances in the shortest possible time in order to expedite the child's return to the home.

(c)     specific actions to be taken by the parents or guardian of the child to accomplish the objectives identified in subitem (b) and time frames for taking these actions.

(2)     other conditions in the home that warrant state intervention, but would not alone have been sufficient to warrant removal, and the changes that must be made in order to terminate intervention, including:

(a)     the nature of the harm or threatened harm that justifies state intervention and a description of the problems or conditions of the home that caused the harm or threatened harm.

(b)     the nature of the changes in the home and family situation that must be made in order to correct the problems and conditions that caused the harm or threatened harm, time frames for accomplishing these objectives, and means for measuring whether the objectives have been accomplished.

(c)     specific actions to be taken by the parents or guardian of the child to accomplish the objectives identified in subitem (b) and time frames for taking these actions.

(3)     the social and other services to be provided or made available to the parents, guardian, or other relevant adult to assist the parents or guardian in accomplishing the objectives, including a specific finding as to the minimum number and frequency of contacts a caseworker with the department must have with the child while in foster care. For a child placed in foster care within this State, the caseworker must meet with the child, at a minimum, once a month, but based upon the particular needs and circumstances of the individual child, more frequent contacts may be ordered by the court.

(4)     the financial responsibilities and obligations, if any, of the parents or guardian for the support of the child during the placement.

(5)     the visitation rights and obligations of the parents, guardian, siblings, or other relatives of the child during the placement. The plan must include a determination of whether it is in the child's best interest for the parents, guardian, or any other person to know of the nature and location of the child's placement and shall provide for as much contact as is reasonably possible and consistent with the best interests of the child between the child and the child's parents, guardian, siblings, and other appropriate relatives with whom the child has a close relationship including visitation and participation of the parents or guardian in the care of the child while the child is in placement.

(6)     the nature and location of the placement for the child unless disclosure of the location of the placement would be contrary to the best interest of the child. The department must consider evidence of sexual abuse, or physical abuse, or substance abuse by an adult living in the child's home, or criminal domestic violence in the child's home in making their determination whether disclosure of the location of the placement is in the best interest of the child. When disclosure of the location of the placement is determined to be contrary to the best interest of the child, disclosure shall not be made to the abusing party, or to any other member of the abusing party's household. The placement must be as close to the child's home as is reasonably possible, unless placement at a greater distance is necessary to promote the child's well-being. In the absence of good cause to the contrary, preference must be given to placement with a relative or other person who is known to the child and has a constructive and caring relationship with the child.

(7)     the social and other supportive services to be provided to the child and the foster parents including counseling or other services to assist the child in dealing with the effects of separation from the child's home and family.

(8)     if the parents or guardian were not involved in the development of the plan, the nature of the agency's efforts to secure parental participation.

(9)     notice to the parents or guardians that failure to substantially accomplish the objectives stated in the plan within the time frames provided may result in termination of parental rights, subject to notice and a hearing as provided in Subarticle 3, Article 11."/

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend totals and title to conform.

Rep. COTTY explained the amendment.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. T. BROWN made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 4468--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4468 -- Reps. Harrison and Cotty: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 19-1-180, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ADMISSIBILITY OF OUT-OF-COURT STATEMENTS BY CERTAIN CHILDREN, SO AS TO EXPAND THE ADMISSIBILITY OF THESE STATEMENTS TO INCLUDE CHILDREN WHO FUNCTION COGNITIVELY, ADAPTIVELY, OR DEVELOPMENTALLY UNDER AGE TWELVE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-420, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURT, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE AUTHORITY TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ACTIONS CONCERNING CONTROL OF A MINOR, INCLUDING GUARDIANSHIP OF A MINOR; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-490, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN ARTICLE 7, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20, SO AS TO ALSO APPLY THESE DEFINITIONS TO OTHER ARTICLES IN THE CHILDREN'S CODE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-510, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERSONS REQUIRED TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THE DUTY TO REPORT EXISTS REGARDLESS OF WHO THE REPORTER BELIEVES TO BE THE PERPETRATOR OF THE ABUSE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-540, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT, SO AS TO EXPAND THE IMMUNITY TO PERSONS WHO PARTICIPATE IN AN INVESTIGATION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-545, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO IMMUNITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PERSONNEL FROM LIABILITY FOR PERFORMING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES OR CHILD WELFARE FUNCTIONS, SO AS TO ALSO INCLUDE CONTRACT EMPLOYEES; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-610, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CUSTODY PROCEDURES, SO AS TO REVISE CERTAIN PROCEDURES; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-618 RELATING TO DETAINMENT OF ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT SUCH DETAINMENT IS NOT KEEPING A CHILD IN EMERGENCY PHYSICAL CUSTODY; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-650, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION OF A CHILD WHO DIED OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS UNLESS OTHER CHILDREN ARE IN THE HOME OR IF THE ALLEGED PERPETRATOR IS THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN AND TO REVISE CERTAIN PROCEDURES WHEN A CHILD IS IN PLACEMENT WITH A RELATIVE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-690, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTS AND RECORDS, SO AS TO REVISE CERTAIN PERSONS, AGENCIES, OR ENTITIES WHICH MAY HAVE ACCESS TO THESE REPORTS AND RECORDS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO DISCLOSE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO PARTICIPANTS IN A FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-765 RELATING TO FOSTER CARE TREATMENT PLAN REQUIREMENTS REGARDING SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TERM "TREATMENT PLAN" TO "PLACEMENT PLAN"; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-766, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARING FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, SO AS TO MAKE THE AGE REQUIREMENTS AND INITIATION PROCEDURES FOR A JUDICIAL STATUS REVIEW INTERNALLY CONSISTENT WITHIN THE SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-1572, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, SO AS TO ADD AS A GROUND FOR TERMINATION, CONVICTION FOR CERTAIN CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON, INCLUDING CRIMINAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-2376, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF LOCAL FOSTER CARE REVIEW BOARDS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE BOARDS TO SUBMIT TO THE COURT WRITTEN REPORTS, DISTINCTIVE FROM OTHER DOCUMENTS IN THE FILE, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO REQUEST AN EMERGENCY HEARING IF THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT THE SAFETY OF A CHILD IS IN IMMINENT DANGER; TO AMEND SECTION 59-63-31 RELATING TO GROUNDS FOR ATTENDING A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN A DISTRICT WITHOUT CHARGE IF THE CHILD IS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, SO AS TO REVISE THESE GROUNDS; TO AMEND JOINT RESOLUTION 157 OF 1997 RELATING TO THE PILOT CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES SYSTEM, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THE EVALUATION REQUIRED TO BE CONDUCTED IS THE ONLY EVALUATION THAT MUST BE PERFORMED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN COUNTIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT AND TO EXPAND FROM THIRTY TO FORTY-FIVE DAYS THE TIME WITHIN WHICH A DETERMINATION MUST BE MADE FOR A CASE TO BE REFERRED TO THE PILOT SYSTEM.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. MOODY-LAWRENCE made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 3760--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 3760 -- Reps. Moody-Lawrence, F. Smith, Mason, Cromer, Lee, J. Hines, Neilson, Littlejohn, Seithel, Maddox, J. Smith, Cave, Govan, Lloyd, Gourdine, Clyburn, Harvin, McMahand, Hinson, Kinon, Kennedy, M. Hines, McCraw, Parks, Howard, T. Brown, Stille, Allison, Limbaugh, Byrd, Hodges, Inabinett, Davenport, Kirsh, Neal, Bowers, Rodgers, Carnell, Riser, Baxley, Mack, Witherspoon, Canty, Phillips, Wilder, Breeland, Limehouse, Simrill, Jennings, Whipper and Cobb-Hunter: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-41-345, SO AS TO REQUIRE A FEMALE WHO IS PREGNANT, UNMARRIED, AND UNDER EIGHTEEN TO COMPLETE A PREGNANCY PREVENTION EDUCATION COURSE CONDUCTED BY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE COURSE CONTENT; AND TO REQUIRE PROFESSIONALS PROVIDING HEALTH CARE TO REFER THESE WOMEN TO THE APPROPRIATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS A COMPONENT OF THEIR HEALTH CARE.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. CAVE made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 4381--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4381 -- Reps. Cobb-Hunter, Canty and Moody-Lawrence: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 43-1-205 SO AS TO REQUIRE AN AGENCY RECEIVING FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PERPETRATORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO COMPLY WITH PROGRAM STANDARDS CONTAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL BATTERED SPOUSE STATE PLAN.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. CAVE made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 4543--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4543 -- Rep. Gamble: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 34-13-50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF BANK LOANS, SO AS TO CONFORM THE AMOUNTS TO FEDERAL LAW BY SETTING THE MAXIMUMS AS PERCENTAGES OF THE BANK'S UNIMPAIRED CAPITAL AND BY DEFINING "UNIMPAIRED CAPITAL".

Rep. GAMBLE explained the Bill.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. MOODY-LAWRENCE made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 4113--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4113 -- Rep. Altman: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-24-45, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT IN SOUTH CAROLINA SHALL NOT RECEIVE OR BE OFFERED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OR CONTINUATION OF HIS DUTIES A SUPPLEMENT, OTHER COMPENSATION, OR VALUABLE CONSIDERATION FROM ANY NONGOVERNMENTAL SOURCE, TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE ABOVE PROVISIONS SHALL TAKE EFFECT MAY 1, 1997.

The Education and Public Works Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\AMEND\GJK\21205SD.98).

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking Section 59-24-45 of the 1976 Code, as contained in SECTION 1, and inserting:

/Section 59-24-45.     A school district superintendent in South Carolina shall not receive directly or indirectly for the performance or continuation of his duties a salary supplement, salary compensation, or valuable consideration exceeding two hundred dollars or more from any nongovernmental source, nor may the same be offered.

Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend totals and title to conform.

Rep. WALKER explained the amendment.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. CAVE made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 4346--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4346 -- Reps. Stuart, Stoddard, Leach, Rodgers, Loftis, Martin, Neal, Mason, Stille, Walker and Woodrum: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING, BY ADDING ARTICLE 78 SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES FOR SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-3710, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY LICENSE PLATES, SO AS TO REVISE THE PROCEDURE TO REQUEST A CHANGE IN A LICENSE PLATE EMBLEM, SEAL, OR SYMBOL.

The Education and Public Works Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\AMEND\PT\1664CM.98).

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 56-3-8000(A) as contained in SECTION 1, page 2, line 11, by deleting /after January 1, 1998/

Amend the bill further, Section 56-3-8000(B), as contained in SECTION 1, Line 17, page 2, by deleting /three/ and inserting /four/

When amended, Section 56-3-8000 shall read:

/"Section 56-3-8000.     (A)     Before the Department of Public Safety produces and distributes a special license plate created by the General Assembly it must receive:

(1)     four hundred prepaid applications for the special license plate or a deposit of four thousand dollars from the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate; and

(2)     a plan to market the sale of the special license plate which must be approved by the department.

(B)     If the department receives less than four hundred biennial applications and renewals for a particular special license plate, it shall not produce additional special license plates in that series. The department shall continue to issue special license plates of that series until the existing inventory is exhausted."

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Rep. STUART explained the amendment.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. CROMER made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 3150--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 3150 -- Reps. Haskins, Robinson, Knotts and Scott: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTIONS 56-5-616 AND 56-5-617 SO AS TO DEFINE THE HIGHWAYS ENCOMPASSING THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM AND THE STATE HIGHWAY PRIMARY SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-1520, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SPEED LIMITS, SO AS TO REVISE THE SPEED LIMITS ALONG THE STATE'S HIGHWAYS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-1535, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SPEEDING IN WORK ZONES, SO AS TO REVISE THE LANGUAGE ON SIGNS POSTED IN A WORK ZONE AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE PENALTY CONTAINED ON SIGNS POSTED IN A WORK ZONE ARE IN ADDITION TO OTHER PENALTIES FOR SPEEDING; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-1540, RELATING TO THE ALTERATION OF SPEED LIMITS BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES, SO AS TO REVISE THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT IN AN URBAN DISTRICT; TO REPEAL SECTION 56-5-1510, RELATING TO THE STATE'S FIFTY-FIVE MILE AN HOUR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT AND FEDERAL LAWS THAT PERMIT THE STATE TO SET SPEED LIMITS GREATER THAN FIFTY-FIVE MILES AN HOUR.

The Education and Public Works Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\AMEND\KGH\15447CM.98).

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 56-5-1520, as contained in SECTION 3, Page 3150-2, beginning on line 9, by striking Section 56-5-1520 and inserting:

/"Section 56-5-1520.     (a)     General rule. No(A)     A person shall not drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event Speed must be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any a person, vehicle, or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons a person to use care.

(b)     Maximum speed limits.(B) Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with paragraph (a) of this section subsection (A), the limits specified in this section or established as hereinafter authorized are maximum lawful speeds, and no a person shall not drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed in excess of these maximum limits:

(1)     thirty miles an hour in any urban district; seventy miles an hour on the interstate highway system and other freeways where official signs giving notice of this speed limit are posted;

(2)     sixty miles an hour on multilane divided primary highways where official signs giving notice of this speed limit are posted; and

(3)     fifty-five miles an hour in other locations or on other sections of highways except where speeds above fifty-five miles an hour are otherwise provided by Section 56-5-1510.

(C)     Notwithstanding another provision of law, manufactured modular or mobile homes must not be transported at a speed in excess of ten miles below the posted speed limit and never in excess of fifty-five miles an hour.

(D)     Thirty miles an hour is the maximum speed in an urban district and unpaved roads are limited to the speed of forty-five miles an hour. 'Urban district' means the territory contiguous to and including any street which is built up with structures devoted to business, industry, or dwelling houses situated at intervals of less than one hundred feet for a distance of a quarter of a mile or more.

(E)     A local authority on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation may determine that the maximum speed limit permitted under this article is less than thirty miles an hour in an urban district. If this determination is made, the maximum speed limit for the urban district is enforceable by all law enforcement officers authorized to enforce the traffic laws in the urban district. However, this subsection does not apply to highways within the state highway system contained in Section 56-5-1530.

(F)     The maximum speed limits set forth in this section may be altered as authorized in pursuant to Sections 56-5-1530 and 56-5-1540.

(c)     When lower speeds required; penalties; citation for violating speed limits.

(G)     The driver of every a vehicle shall drive, consistent with the requirements of paragraph (a) subsection (A), drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, approaching a hillcrest, when traveling upon any narrow bridge, narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.

(d)     Any(H)     A person violating the speed limits established by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be fined or imprisoned as follows:

(1)     in excess of the above posted limit but not in excess of ten miles an hour by a fine of not less than fifteen dollars nor more than twenty-five dollars;

(2)     in excess of ten miles an hour but less than fifteen miles an hour above the posted limit by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than fifty dollars;

(3)     in excess of fifteen miles an hour but less than twenty-five miles an hour above the posted limit by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than seventy-five dollars; and

(4)     in excess of twenty-five miles an hour above the posted limit by a fine of not less than seventy-five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

(e)(I)     Any A citation for violating the speed limits issued by any authorized officer must note on it the rate of speed for which the citation is issued.

(f)(J)     In expending the funds credited to the state general fund from fines generated under subsection (d) (F), the department first shall consider the need for additional highway patrolmen."/

Amend the bill further, Section 56-5-1535(C)(1) as contained in SECTION 4, Page 3150-4, line 4, by striking /and/ and inserting /or/ and by inserting /, or both/ after /days/.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Rep. STODDARD explained the amendment.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. WALKER made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

S. 1031--AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up.

S. 1031 -- Senators Martin, Alexander, Bryan and Waldrep: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 59-39-105 OF THE 1976 CODE RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STAR DIPLOMA, FOR THE 1997-98 AND 1998-99 SCHOOL YEARS ONLY, GRADUATING SENIORS FROM HIGH SCHOOL WHO HAVE COMPLETED TWENTY-FOUR UNITS OF CREDIT WITH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIRED UNITS IN ANY COURSE SHALL MEET THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STAR DIPLOMA AND SCHOLARSHIP; AND TO AMEND SECTION 59-39-105, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO STAR DIPLOMAS AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STAR DIPLOMA, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT HONORS COURSES SHALL BE INCLUDED, ALONG WITH ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE COURSES, IN THOSE COURSES WHERE GRADE POINT AVERAGES ARE ADJUSTED TO REFLECT GREATER DIFFICULTY.

Reps. HARRELL and ROBINSON proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\AMEND\GJK\21233SD.98), which was adopted.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

/SECTION     1.     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 59-39-105 of the 1976 Code relating to the requirements for a STAR diploma, for the 1997-98 and 1998-99 school years only, graduating seniors from high school shall be granted a waiver, as and if necessary, of the additional computer science unit or the additional mathematics unit, or both, required by Section 59-39-105 for a STAR diploma; provided all other requirements are met. For these graduating seniors, only twenty-two units as applicable shall be required for a STAR diploma during these two school years. These graduating seniors shall be entitled also to a STAR scholarship as provided in Section 59-39-180.

SECTION     2.     Notwithstanding any provision of law, the name of the STAR Diploma is changed from the Superior Scholars for Today and Tomorrow Diploma to the Superior Technology or Academic Requirements Diploma.

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

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend totals and title to conform.

Rep. HARRELL explained the amendment.

The amendment was then adopted.

The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

S. 1031--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. BAILEY, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S.1031 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 3792--REQUESTS FOR DEBATE WITHDRAWN, AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

Upon the withdrawal of requests for debate by Reps. KELLEY, KENNEDY, MOODY-LAWRENCE, STUART, CARNELL, STODDARD, RODGERS and KOON the following Bill was taken up.

H. 3792 -- Reps. Cato and Walker: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-540, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO INSURANCE, CASUALTY AND SURETY RATES, AND ASSIGNED RISKS, SO AS TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, PROVIDE THAT INSURERS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE VOLUNTARY MARKET SHALL PARTICIPATE IN CERTAIN MECHANISMS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION AND SHALL PAY THEIR ASSESSMENTS, IF ANY.

The Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\AMEND\BBM\9693JM.98), which was adopted.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

/SECTION     1.     Section 38-73-540 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 451 of 1996, is further amended to read:

"Section 38-73-540.     (A)(1)     Assigned risk agreements may be made among insurers with respect to the equitable apportionment among them of insurance which may be afforded applicants who are in good faith entitled to, but who are unable to procure, insurance through ordinary methods, and the insurers may agree among themselves on the use of reasonable rate modifications for this insurance. Such residual market agreement and any mechanism designed to implement such agreement, and any amendments thereto, must be submitted in writing to the director or his designee for approval prior to use, together with such additional information as the director or his designee may reasonably require. Insurers that participate in the voluntary market shall participate in these mechanisms and shall pay their assessments, if any.

(2)     If, after a hearing, the director or his designee finds that any activity or practice of insurers participating in the residual market mechanism is unfair, unreasonable, or otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this title, the director or his designee must issue a written order specifying in what respects such activity or practice is unfair, unreasonable, or otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this title and require the discontinuance of such activity or practice. The director or his designee may establish, by written order, an assigned risk plan or mechanism if he finds that insurers have failed to agree pursuant to subsection (A)(1), or to implement assigned risk agreements by written order if the director or his designee finds that the existing residual market mechanism is unfair, unreasonable, or inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.

(3)     The servicing carriers for the workers' compensation assigned risk pool may be competitively bid as provided for in this subsection. If the workers' compensation assigned risk pool is competitively bid, then the director or his designee must appoint a committee or committees of individuals as he considers qualified to establish standards and procedures for the consideration and evaluation of bids. Insurers, or other vendors in conjunction with a licensed workers' compensation insurer, may submit bids. The committee or committees must evaluate and award contracts pursuant to the bidding process established by the committee or committees, subject to the final approval of the director or his designee. The director may require a bid fee to cover the expenses of implementing this section.

(4)     Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or of this article, assigned risk pools must accept a policy of workers' compensation insurance on the basis that it provides coverage to a vendor who provides logging services to a named insured or on the basis that the policy provides coverage to an association of these vendors.

(B)     Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (A), no insurer may act as a servicing carrier for any assigned risk pool for workers' compensation insurance authorized pursuant to subsection (A) unless such insurer participates in the voluntary market for workers' compensation insurance in this State.

(C)     It is essential for maintaining the viability of the assigned risk plan to establish and maintain rates at a level which permits the plan to operate as a self-funded mechanism. The plan administrator shall maintain necessary rate making data in order to permit the actuarial determination of rates and rating plans appropriate for the business insured through the plan. All assigned carriers shall report their experience on business written under the plan to the plan administrator in a format prescribed by the plan administrator. The plan administrator shall monitor rate adequacy and plan results and shall notify the director of the Department of Insurance in the event that excessive losses are indicated so as to enable the director to take corrective action."

SECTION     2.     Nothing contained in this act applies to self-insurers.

SECTION     3.     The provisions of Section 38-73-540(A)(1) and (2), as amended by and contained in SECTION 1 of this act, take effect for insurance policies written or renewed on or after January 1, 2000. Section 38-73-540(C), as added by SECTION 1 of this act, and SECTION 2 of this act take effect no later than December 31, 1999./

Amend title to conform.

Rep. CATO explained the amendment.

The amendment was then adopted.

The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

H. 3792--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. CATO, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 3792 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 4377--OBJECTION WITHDRAWN

Rep. BAXLEY withdrew his objection to the following Bill.

H. 4377 -- Reps. Haskins, Spearman, Kirsh, Wilkins, Bauer, Cato, Gamble, Leach, Sandifer, Young-Brickell, Riser, Moody-Lawrence and McLeod: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 75, TITLE 40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS BY ADDING ARTICLE 3, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF SPECIALISTS IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY; TO AMEND SECTION 40-75-20, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR THE LICENSURE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, ASSOCIATE COUNSELORS, AND MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, SO AS TO ADD A SPECIALIST IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY TO THE BOARD; TO REQUIRE PERSONS QUALIFIED TO PRACTICE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT TO APPLY FOR LICENSURE BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 1998; AND TO DESIGNATE SECTIONS 40-75-10 THROUGH 40-75-190 AS ARTICLE 1 OF CHAPTER 75, TITLE 40, ENTITLED "PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, ASSOCIATE COUNSELORS, AND MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPISTS" AND TO RENAME CHAPTER 75, TITLE 40 "PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, ASSOCIATE COUNSELORS, MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND SPECIALISTS IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY".

H. 3792--REQUEST FOR DEBATE WITHDRAWN

Rep. LOFTIS withdrew his request for debate on the following Bill.

H. 3792 -- Reps. Cato and Walker: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-540, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO INSURANCE, CASUALTY AND SURETY RATES, AND ASSIGNED RISKS, SO AS TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, PROVIDE THAT INSURERS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE VOLUNTARY MARKET SHALL PARTICIPATE IN CERTAIN MECHANISMS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION AND SHALL PAY THEIR ASSESSMENTS, IF ANY.

OBJECTION TO RECALL

Rep. STUART asked unanimous consent to recall H. 3054 from the Committee on Education and Public Works.

Rep. SHEHEEN objected.

OBJECTION TO RECALL

Rep. SCOTT asked unanimous consent to recall H. 3201 from the Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.

Rep. KNOTTS objected.

H. 3337--POINT OF ORDER

The Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration.

H. 3337 -- Reps. D. Smith, Cato, Rice, Robinson, Govan, Beck, Tripp and F. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-580, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE CLERK AND OTHER STAFF OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE DIVISION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE MAY APPOINT, HIRE, CONTRACT, AND SUPERVISE THE SUPPORT STAFF HE IS INDIVIDUALLY ALLOTTED; AND TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-650, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROMULGATION OF RULES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE DIVISION, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE PROMULGATION OF RULES GOVERNING PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE BEFORE THE DIVISION.

Reps. D. SMITH and HARRISON proposed the following Amendment No. 1A (Doc Name P:\AMEND\GJK\21231DC.98).

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 3, beginning on line 40, page 2, and inserting:

/SECTION     3.     Section 1-23-570 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act No. 181 of 1993, is amended to read:

"Section 1-23-570.     The Chief Judge of the Administrative Law Judge Division is responsible for the administration of the division, including budgetary matters, assignment of cases, and the administrative duties and responsibilities of the support staff. The chief judge shall assign judges of the division to hear contested all cases of the various state departments and commissions for which it is responsible on a general rotation and interchange basis by scheduling and assigning administrative law judges based upon subject matter no less frequently than every six months."/

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend totals and title to conform.

Rep. YOUNG explained the amendment.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER granted Rep. McMAHAND a leave of absence for the remainder of the day.

Rep. YOUNG continued speaking.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. SCOTT made the Point of Order that the Senate amendments were improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 4115--SENT TO THE SENATE

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4115 -- Reps. Harrison, Wilkins, D. Smith, Knotts and McGee: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 13, TITLE 1, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-13-5 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA OR ANY OF ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS FROM USING RACE, SEX, COLOR, ETHNICITY, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN AS A CRITERION FOR EITHER DISCRIMINATING AGAINST OR GRANTING PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP IN THE OPERATION OF THE STATE'S SYSTEM OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC EDUCATION, OR PUBLIC CONTRACTING.

Rep. SCOTT moved to recommit the Bill.

Rep. YOUNG moved to table the motion.

Rep. SCOTT demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 68; Nays 43

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allison                Altman                 Askins
Barfield               Barrett                Bauer
Beck                   Brown, H.              Campsen
Carnell                Cato                   Chellis
Cooper                 Cotty                  Cromer
Dantzler               Davenport              Delleney
Easterday              Edge                   Gamble
Hamilton               Harrell                Harris
Harrison               Hinson                 Keegan
Kelley                 Kinon                  Kirsh
Klauber                Koon                   Law
Leach                  Limehouse              Littlejohn
Loftis                 Martin                 Mason
McCraw                 McGee                  McKay
McMaster               Meacham                Mullen
Quinn                  Rice                   Robinson
Rodgers                Sandifer               Seithel
Sharpe                 Sheheen                Simrill
Smith, D.              Smith, J.              Smith, R.
Stille                 Stuart                 Townsend
Tripp                  Trotter                Vaughn
Walker                 Wilkins                Witherspoon
Woodrum                Young

Total--68

Those who voted in the negative are:

Bailey                 Battle                 Baxley
Bowers                 Breeland               Brown, G.
Brown, J.              Brown, T.              Byrd
Canty                  Cave                   Clyburn
Cobb-Hunter            Gourdine               Govan
Harvin                 Haskins                Hawkins
Hines, J.              Hines, M.              Howard
Inabinett              Jennings               Jordan
Kennedy                Lloyd                  Mack
McLeod                 Miller                 Moody-Lawrence
Neal                   Neilson                Phillips
Pinckney               Rhoad                  Scott
Smith, F.              Stoddard               Webb
Whatley                Whipper                Wilder
Wilkes

Total--43

So, the motion to recommit was tabled.

The question then recurred to the passage of the Bill on third reading.

Rep. SCOTT demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 74; Nays 37

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allison                Altman                 Askins
Barfield               Barrett                Bauer
Beck                   Bowers                 Brown, H.
Campsen                Carnell                Cato
Chellis                Cooper                 Cotty
Cromer                 Dantzler               Davenport
Delleney               Easterday              Fleming
Gamble                 Hamilton               Harrell
Harris                 Harrison               Hawkins
Hinson                 Keegan                 Kelley
Kinon                  Kirsh                  Klauber
Koon                   Law                    Leach
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Loftis
Maddox                 Martin                 Mason
McCraw                 McGee                  McKay
McMaster               Meacham                Mullen
Phillips               Quinn                  Rice
Riser                  Robinson               Rodgers
Sandifer               Seithel                Sharpe
Sheheen                Simrill                Smith, D.
Smith, J.              Smith, R.              Stille
Stuart                 Tripp                  Trotter
Vaughn                 Walker                 Whatley
Wilkins                Witherspoon            Woodrum
Young                  Young-Brickell

Total--74

Those who voted in the negative are:

Bailey                 Battle                 Baxley
Breeland               Brown, G.              Brown, J.
Brown, T.              Byrd                   Canty
Cave                   Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter
Gourdine               Govan                  Harvin
Haskins                Hines, J.              Hines, M.
Howard                 Jordan                 Kennedy
Lloyd                  Mack                   McLeod
Miller                 Moody-Lawrence         Neal
Neilson                Pinckney               Rhoad
Scott                  Smith, F.              Stoddard
Webb                   Whipper                Wilder
Wilkes

Total--37

So, the Bill was read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate.

MOTION PERIOD

The motion period was dispensed with on motion of Rep. CROMER.

H. 3033--DEBATE ADJOURNED

Rep. SHARPE moved to adjourn debate upon the following Bill until Wednesday, March 11, which was adopted.

H. 3033 -- Reps. Govan, Inabinett, J. Hines, Lloyd and Moody-Lawrence: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 44, CHAPTER 61, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO HOSPITALS, BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 SO AS TO ENACT THE CHILDREN'S EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ACT, TO ESTABLISH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS DUTIES, AND TO CREATE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE PROGRAM.

H. 3784--AMENDED AND INTERRUPTED DEBATE

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 3784 -- Reps. Haskins, Jordan, Neal, H. Brown, Allison, Altman, Bailey, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bauer, Baxley, Bowers, G. Brown, Byrd, Cato, Cave, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Davenport, Edge, Fleming, Hamilton, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hodges, Howard, Jennings, Kelley, Knotts, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Mack, Maddox, McCraw, McKay, Meacham, Miller, Parks, Phillips, Pinckney, Quinn, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Sandifer, Scott, Sharpe, Simrill, F. Smith, R. Smith, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Woodrum, Young, Govan, Campsen and Harrell: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 45, TITLE 40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LICENSING AND REGULATION OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, SO AS TO CONFORM THIS CHAPTER TO THE STATUTORY ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK ESTABLISHED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS IN CHAPTER 1, TITLE 40 AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DELETING THE REQUIREMENT FOR TREATMENT BY PRESCRIPTION OF A PHYSICIAN OR DENTIST, CLARIFYING THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE, PROHIBITING, RECEIVING, OR IN ANY WAY PARTICIPATING IN REFUNDING FEES FOR PATIENT REFERRALS, REVISING REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSEES NOT GRADUATING FROM AN APPROVED SCHOOL, ESTABLISHING PROVISIONAL LICENSES AND BIENNIAL LICENSURE, REQUIRING CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR RENEWAL, PROVIDING A CIVIL PENALTY, AND INCREASING CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

The Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\AMEND\PSD\7379AC.97), which was adopted.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 40-45-20, page 11, beginning on line 24 by deleting item 9 and inserting /     (9)     'The practice of physical therapy' means the evaluation and treatment of human beings to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability, bodily malfunction, and pain from injury, disease, and any other bodily or mental condition and includes the administration, interpretation, documentation, and evaluation of physical therapy tests and measurements of bodily functions and structures; the establishment, administration, evaluation, and modification of a physical therapy treatment plan which includes the use of physical, chemical, or mechanical agents, activities, instruction, and devices for prevention and therapeutic purposes; and the provision of consultation and educational and other advisory services for the purpose of preventing or reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, bodily malfunction, and pain. The use of roentgen rays and radium for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes and the use of electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization and colonic irrigations, are not authorized under the term 'physical therapy' as used in this chapter, and nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize a physical therapist to prescribe medications or order laboratory or other medical tests./

Amend the bill further, Section 40-45-60(A), page 12 by deleting line 25 and inserting / promulgation of regulations for the practice of physical therapy, / so when amended, Section 40-45-60(A) reads:

/Section 40-45-60.     (A)     The board may adopt rules governing its proceedings and may promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter including, but not limited to, promulgation of regulations for the practice of physical therapy, determining the qualifications and requirements for licensure, establishing a code of ethics binding on persons licensed under or subject to this chapter, and establishing disciplinary procedures./

Amend the bill further, Section 40-45-110(A)(2), page 13 by deleting lines 30 and 31 and inserting / physical therapist; / so when amended Section 40-45-110(A)(2) reads:

/(2)     has treated or undertaken to treat human ailments otherwise than by physical therapy or has practiced physical therapy and failed to refer to a licensed medical doctor or dentist any patient whose medical condition should have been determined at the time of evaluation or treatment to be beyond the scope of practice of a physical therapist;/

Amend the bill further, Section 40-45-110(A)(3), page 13, line 36 by deleting the / . / and inserting / ; / and by inserting immediately after line 36:

/(4)     in the absence of a referral from an appropriate health care provider, provides physical therapy services beyond thirty days after the initial evaluation and/or treatment date without the referral of the patient to a licensed medical doctor or dentist;

(5)     changes, or in any way modifies, any specific patient care instructions or protocols established by an appropriate health care provider without prior consultation with and approval by the appropriate health care provider./

Amend the bill further, page 23, by deleting Section 40-45-310 and inserting:

/Section 40-45-310.     Nothing in this chapter may be construed as authorizing a licensed physical therapist or any other person to practice medicine, surgery, osteopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, magnetic healing, or any other form, branch, or method of healing as authorized by the laws of this State. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to restrict, inhibit, or limit the practice of chiropractic as now practiced in this State and as taught by accredited schools or colleges of chiropractic. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to restrict, inhibit, or limit the practice of licensed nurse practitioners, licensed physicians assistants, certified athletic trainers, licensed massage therapists, exercise physiologists, or personal trainers. Moreover, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to restrict, inhibit, or limit in any way the practice of dentistry pursuant to Chapter 15 of Title 40 or the practice of medicine pursuant to Chapter 47 of Title 40./

Amend the bill further, Section 40-45-320, page 23 by inserting immediately after line 41: / (C)     Nothing contained in this chapter may be construed to affect the provisions of Title 42 of the South Carolina Code of Laws relating to workers' compensation./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Rep. WILDER explained the amendment.

Rep. HARRISON moved to adjourn debate upon the Bill until Tuesday, February 24.

Rep. LOFTIS moved to table the motion.

Rep. SIMRILL demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 60; Nays 51

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Askins                 Bailey                 Battle
Bauer                  Breeland               Brown, H.
Brown, J.              Brown, T.              Byrd
Canty                  Cato                   Cave
Chellis                Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter
Cooper                 Cromer                 Easterday
Gamble                 Gourdine               Govan
Hamilton               Harrell                Haskins
Hines, J.              Hines, M.              Howard
Jennings               Jordan                 Knotts
Koon                   Leach                  Limehouse
Lloyd                  Loftis                 Mack
McCraw                 McLeod                 Miller
Neal                   Rhoad                  Rice
Riser                  Robinson               Scott
Seithel                Sharpe                 Simrill
Smith, D.              Smith, F.              Smith, J.
Smith, R.              Stoddard               Stuart
Tripp                  Vaughn                 Whatley
Whipper                Wilder                 Wilkins

Total--60

Those who voted in the negative are:

Allison                Altman                 Barfield
Barrett                Baxley                 Beck
Bowers                 Brown, G.              Campsen
Carnell                Cotty                  Dantzler
Davenport              Delleney               Edge
Fleming                Harris                 Harrison
Harvin                 Hawkins                Hinson
Keegan                 Kelley                 Kennedy
Kirsh                  Klauber                Law
Littlejohn             Maddox                 Martin
McGee                  McKay                  McMaster
Meacham                Moody-Lawrence         Mullen
Neilson                Phillips               Quinn
Rodgers                Sandifer               Sheheen
Stille                 Townsend               Trotter
Walker                 Webb                   Wilkes
Witherspoon            Woodrum                Young

Total--51

So, the motion to adjourn debate was tabled.

The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. HASKINS proposed the following Amendment No. 2 (Doc Name P:\AMEND\PSD\7182AC.98), which was adopted.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Page 3784-17, Section 40-45-110, by deleting subsections (D) and (E) on lines 20 through 27 and inserting:

/(D)     In enforcing this chapter, the board, upon reasonable grounds, may require a licensee or applicant to submit to a mental or physical examination performed by a physician designated by the board and including, but not limited to, urinalysis and blood work to determine the presence of drugs. The results of an examination are admissible in a hearing before the board, notwithstanding a claim or privilege under a contrary rule of law or statute. A person who accepts the privilege of practicing physical therapy in this State is deemed to have consented to submit to a mental or physical examination and to have waived all objections to the admissibility of the results in a hearing before the board upon the grounds that the same constitutes a privileged communication. If a licensee or applicant fails to submit to an examination when properly directed to do so by the board, unless the failure was due to circumstances beyond the person's control, the board shall enter an order automatically suspending or denying the license pending compliance and further order of the board. A licensee or applicant who is prohibited from practicing physical therapy under this subsection must be afforded at reasonable intervals an opportunity to demonstrate to the board the ability to resume or begin the practice of physical therapy with reasonable skill and safety to patients.

(E)     In enforcing this chapter, the board upon reasonable grounds may obtain records relating to the mental or physical condition of a licensee or applicant including, but not limited to, psychiatric records; and these records are admissible in a hearing before the board, notwithstanding any other provision of law. A person who accepts the privilege of practicing physical therapy in this State or who files an application to practice physical therapy in this State is deemed to have consented to the board obtaining these records and to have waived all objections to the admissibility of these records in a hearing before the board upon the grounds that the same constitute a privileged communication. If a licensee or applicant refuses to sign a written consent for the board to obtain these records when properly requested by the board, unless the failure was due to circumstances beyond the person's control, the board shall enter an order automatically suspending or denying the license pending compliance and further order of the board. A licensee or applicant who is prohibited from practicing physical therapy under this subsection must be afforded reasonable opportunity to demonstrate to the board the ability to resume or begin the practice of physical therapy with reasonable skill and safety to patients./

Amend the bill further, page 3784-19, by deleting Section 40-45-220(A)(2)(a) on lines 10 through 14 and inserting:

/(2)(a)     provide satisfactory evidence that his or her education is equivalent to the requirements of physical therapists educated in United States educational programs as determined by the board. If the board determines that an applicant's education is not equivalent, it may require completion of additional course work before proceeding with the application process./

Amend the bill further, page 3784-20, Section 40-45-230(B), by deleting lines 9 through 10 and inserting:

/that graduation requirements have been met if the official transcript is not yet available. A final transcript indicating the degree and date the degree was conferred must be on file before a permanent license may be issued./

Amend the bill further, page 3784-23, Section 40-45-260(B), by deleting on Line 13 / . / and inserting / ; / and by deleting lines 14 through 21 and inserting:

/(4)     an applicant for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who has met all of the requirements for licensure under Section 40-45-230 except for completing the official transcript requirement pursuant to Section 40-45-230(B).

A provisional license is valid for up to one year from the date of issue and may not be renewed. A physical therapist holding a provisional license issued pursuant to item (1), (2), or (3) must work under the on-site supervision of a physical therapist licensed in this State, and a physical therapist assistant holding a provisional license issued pursuant to items (1), (2), or (3) must work under the on-site supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed in this State. A physical therapist and physical therapist assistant holding a provisional license issued pursuant to item (4) must work under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed in this State. A provisional licensee shall submit to the board a completed supervisory agreement form for each place of employment./

Amend the bill further, page 3784-25, Section 40-45-300(B), by deleting lines 39 through 40 and inserting:

/The Board may establish in regulation the number of physical therapist assistants a physical therapist may concurrently supervise./

Amend the bill further, page 3784-26, by deleting Section 40-45-300(C) on lines 1 through 3 and inserting:

/(C)     A physical therapist student shall function under the on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend totals and title to conform.

Rep. HASKINS explained the amendment.

The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. HASKINS proposed the following Amendment No. 3 (Doc Name P:\AMEND\BBM\9604AC.98).

Amend the committee report, as and if amended, Page 3784-2, by deleting lines 35 and 36 and inserting:

/(4)     in the absence of a referral from a licensed medical doctor or dentist, provides physical therapy services beyond thirty days after /

Amend title to conform.

Rep. HASKINS explained the amendment.

Rep. COTTY spoke against the amendment.

Rep. H. BROWN moved that the House do now adjourn, which was adopted.

Further proceedings were interrupted by adjournment, the pending question being consideration of Amendment No. 3.

RETURNED WITH CONCURRENCE

The Senate returned to the House with concurrence the following:

H. 4659 -- Rep. McMahand: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING MRS. GEORGIA WALKER-HALLUMS OF GREENVILLE COUNTY FOR HER MANY CONTRIBUTIONS ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HER COMMUNITY.

ADJOURNMENT

At 11:30 A.M. the House in accordance with the motion of Rep. YOUNG adjourned in memory of The Honorable Bernard J. Washauer of Sumter, to meet at 10:00 A.M. tomorrow.

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