Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

March 25, 2026

 

H. 4799

 

Introduced by Reps. Lawson, Cox, C. Mitchell, Pope, Govan and Lastinger

 

S. Printed 3/25/26--H.

Read the first time January 13, 2026

 

________

 

The committee on House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4799) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 44-7-170, relating to certificate of need exemptions, so as to provide that veterans homes owned or, etc., respectfully

Report:

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

 

   Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 44-7-170(B)(2) and inserting:

       (2) hospitals owned by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and operated by the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities or hospitals owned or operated by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, except an addition of one or more beds to the total number of beds of the predecessor departments' health care facilities existing on July 1, 1988;

Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 44-7-170(B)(4) and inserting:

       (4) hospitals owned and operated by the federal government.;

       (5) veterans homes owned and operated by the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

 

S.H. DAVIS for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill adds hospitals owned or operated by DVA to the list of facilities exempt from needing to obtain a CON from DPH.

This bill will have no expenditure impact on DVA or DPH, since it does not alter the responsibilities of the agencies. However, DVA notes that this bill could positively impact federal certifications and expansion or renovation timelines for future veterans' hospitals. Currently, hospitals owned or operated by DVA are required to obtain a CON from DPH. Since state veterans' hospitals must have all state approvals prior to receiving federal funding, requiring a CON can block federal certification or delay federal funding.

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-7-170, RELATING TO CERTIFICATE OF NEED EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT VETERANS HOMES OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS DO NOT REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE OF NEED.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 44-7-170(B) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (B) This article does not apply to:

       (1) construction of a new hospital with up to fifty beds in any county currently without a hospital;

       (2) hospitals owned by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and operated by the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities or hospitals owned or operated by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, except an addition of one or more beds to the total number of beds of the predecessor departments' health care facilities existing on July 1, 1988;

       (3) any federal hospital sponsored and operated by this State;

       (4) hospitals owned and operated by the federal government.

 

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

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