A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 40-33-42, RELATING TO PROVISIONS IN THE NURSE PRACTICE ACT CONCERNING THE DELEGATION OF TASKS TO UNLICENSED ASSISTIVE PERSONNEL, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTIFIED NURSE AIDES IN HOSPITALS MAY START AND CAP PERIPHERAL INTravenous LINES AND CONDUCT PATIENT BLOOD DRAWS AS AUTHORIZED IN APPROVED WRITTEN PROTOCOLS OR GUIDELINES, AND TO DEFINE THE TERM "CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE".

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

SECTION 1.   Section 40-33-42(C) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   (C) Subject to the rights of licensed physicians and dentists under state law, and except as provided in Section 40-47-196 regarding the delegation of tasks to certified medical assistants, the administration of medications is the responsibility of a licensed nurse as prescribed by the licensed physician, dentist, other authorized licensed provider or as authorized in an approved written protocol or guidelines. Unlicensed assistive personnel must not administer medications, except as otherwise provided by law; provided, however, that a certified nurse aide in a hospital may start and cap peripheral intravenous lines and conduct patient blood draws as authorized in an approved written protocol or set of guidelines. For purposes of this section, "certified nurse aide" or "CNA" means a person who successfully completes required training, passes the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program, and is registered in good standing with the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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