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A181, R162, S895
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senators Verdin, Alexander and Hutto
Companion/Similar bill(s): 5173
Document Path: SR-0495KM26.docx
Introduced in the Senate on February 4, 2026
Introduced in the House on March 31, 2026
Currently residing in the House
Governor's Action: May 18, 2026, Signed
Summary: Rural Emergency Hospitals
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
| Date | Body | Action Description with journal page number |
|---|---|---|
| 2/4/2026 | Senate | Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 9) |
| 2/4/2026 | Senate | Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs (Senate Journal-page 9) |
| 3/19/2026 | Senate | Committee report: Favorable Medical Affairs (Senate Journal-page 7) |
| 3/25/2026 | Senate | Read second time (Senate Journal-page 40) |
| 3/25/2026 | Senate | Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 40) |
| 3/26/2026 | Senate | Read third time and sent to House (Senate Journal-page 19) |
| 3/31/2026 | House | Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 245) |
| 3/31/2026 | House | Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 245) |
| 4/21/2026 | House | Recalled from Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 29) |
| 4/23/2026 | House | Read second time (House Journal-page 38) |
| 4/23/2026 | House | Roll call Yeas-108 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 38) |
| 4/23/2026 | House | Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day (House Journal-page 40) |
| 4/24/2026 | House | Read third time and enrolled (House Journal-page 4) |
| 5/14/2026 | Ratified R 162 | |
| 5/18/2026 | Signed By Governor | |
| 6/5/2026 | Effective date 05/18/26 | |
| 6/2/2026 | Act No. 181 |
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
02/04/2026
03/19/2026
04/21/2026
(A181, R162, S895)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-7-130, RELATING TO STATE HEALTH FACILITY LICENSURE ACT DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO ADD TO THE DEFINITION OF "HOSPITAL" ALL HOSPITALS THAT CONVERT TO RURAL EMERGENCY HOSPITALS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Definitions
SECTION 1. Section 44-7-130(17) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
(17)(a) "Hospital" means a facility that is organized and administered to provide overnight medical or surgical care or nursing care for an illness, injury, or infirmity and must provide on-campus emergency services; that may provide obstetrical care; and in which all diagnoses, treatment, or care is administered by or under the direction of persons currently licensed to practice medicine, surgery, or osteopathy. This definition shall include all hospitals that convert to Rural Emergency Hospitals pursuant to 42 C.F.R. Part 485 Subpart E and Section 125 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
(b) "Hospital" may include a residential treatment facility for children, adolescents, or young adults in need of mental health treatment that is physically a part of a licensed psychiatric hospital. This definition does not include facilities that are licensed by the Department of Social Services. A residential treatment facility for children, adolescents, or young adults in need of mental health treatment that is physically part of a licensed psychiatric hospital is not required to provide on-campus emergency services.
Time effective
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Ratified the 14th day of May, 2026.
Approved the 18th day of May, 2026.
This web page was last updated on June 22, 2026 at 10:20 AM