South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

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S. 895

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
Currently residing in the House

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)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

02/04/2026
03/19/2026



Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

March 19, 2026

 

S. 895

 

Introduced by Senator Verdin

 

S. Printed 3/19/26--S.

Read the first time February 4, 2026

 

________

 

The committee on Senate Medical Affairs

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 895) 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, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

DANIEL VERDIN for Committee.

 

_______


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bill

 

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:

 

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 CFR 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.

 

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

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This web page was last updated on March 19, 2026 at 4:19 PM