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COMMITTEE REPORT
February 22, 2001
H. 3379
S. Printed 2/22/01--H.
Read the first time January 30, 2001.
To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (H. 3379) to establish the newborn eye screening task force to study and make recommendations concerning screening newborn children, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, Section 1(B), page 2 by deleting item (4) on lines 8 through 20 and inserting:
/ (4) the following members to be appointed by the Governor:
(a) one general ophthalmologist;
(b) one ophthalmologist with a specialty in or experience in providing pediatric ophthalmology to young children;
(c) one neonatologist with a specialty in or knowledge of infant eye screening;
(d) one representative of the South Carolina Academy of Pediatrics;
(e) one representative of the South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians;
(f) one representative of the South Carolina Hospital Association;
(g) one general optometrist;
(h) one optometrist with a specialty or experience in providing optometric care to young children;
(i) two parents representing two families with a child with blindness or other ocular abnormalities affecting vision./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
JOE E. BROWN, for Committee.
EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:
There is no indication that implementation of this task force would require expenditure of any funds, with the exception of per diem and mileage for the members of the task force. In accordance with proviso 72.34 of the 2000-2001 Appropriations Act, per diem for members of state boards, committees, and commissions is $35 per day. If the task force were to meet once every two months, the total annual cost of per diem for the eight out of eleven task force members eligible for per diem would be $1,680 (6 meetings x 8 members x $35 per day).
The cost of mileage for the task force members would depend on the location of the task force members' counties of residence, which is not determinable until the members are selected; however, the cost should not be excessive.
SPECIAL NOTES:
The task force would be abolished no later than January 1, 2002.
Approved By:
Don Addy
Office of State Budget
TO ESTABLISH THE NEWBORN EYE SCREENING TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING SCREENING NEWBORN CHILDREN FOR CERTAIN OCULAR DISEASES AND ABNORMALITIES.
Whereas, treatable congenital ocular diseases occur more frequently than many other health conditions detected through newborn screenings; and
Whereas, visually significant congenital cataracts occur as often as one in five hundred live births and retinoblastoma, eye cancer in young children, occurs as often as one in fifteen thousand live births; and
Whereas, undetected diseases and abnormalities may result in blinding or life-threatening diseases or both; and
Whereas, it is in the best interests of the children, families, and citizens of this State to study ocular diseases and abnormalities in newborns, including the frequency, the effectiveness, costs, and funding mechanisms for screenings. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) There is established the Newborn Eye Screening Task Force to study the screening of ocular diseases and abnormalities in newborn children. The study should include review of currently required ocular screenings of newborns, if any, identification of the most prevalent ocular diseases and abnormalities in newborns, and the effectiveness costs, and funding of screening for these diseases and abnormalities.
(B) The task force must be composed of:
(1) the director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control or a designee, who shall serve as chair;
(2) the director of the Department of Health and Human Services, or a designee;
(3) the director of the Governor's Division of Health and Human Services;
(4) the following members to be appointed by the Governor:
(a) one general ophthalmologist;
(b) one ophthalmologist with a specialty in or experience in providing pediatric ophthalmology to young children;
(c) one neonatologist with a specialty in or knowledge of infant eye screening;
(d) one representative of the South Carolina Academy of Pediatrics;
(e) one representative of the South Carolina Hospital Association;
(f) one optometrist with a specialty or experience in providing optometric care to young children;
(g) two parents representing two families with a child with blindness or other ocular abnormalities affecting vision.
(C) The task force shall meet upon the call of the chair and is entitled to the usual per diem, subsistence, and mileage as provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.
(D) The task force shall submit its report and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly before January 1, 2002 at which time the task force is abolished.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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