Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Committee Report

January 24, 2024

S. 708

Introduced by Senators Young and Shealy

S. Printed 01/24/24--S.                                                                          [SEC 1/25/2024 5:37 PM]

Read the first time April 11, 2023

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The committee on Senate Family and Veterans' Services

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 708) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 63-11-420, relating to definitions pertaining to the South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response, etc., respectfully

Report:

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

KATRINA SHEALY for Committee.

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A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 63-11-420, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS PERTAINING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY MEDICAL RESPONSE SYSTEM, SO AS TO DEFINE CHILD ABUSE MEDICAL SERVICES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 63-11-430, RELATING TO PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCLUSION OF SOUTH CAROLINA NETWORK OF CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS IN THE PROGRAM.

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

SECTION 1.  Section 63-11-420 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    Section 63-11-420. For purposes of this article:

    (1) "Child" has the same meaning as provided for in Section 63-7-20.

    (2) "Child abuse or neglect" has the same meaning as provided for in Section 63-7-20.

    (3) "Children's advocacy centers" has the same meaning as provided for in Section 63-11-310.

    (4) "Program" means the South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System, created pursuant to this article.

    (5) "Health care provider" means a physicianmedical professional, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant  licensed to practice in this State pursuant to Article 1, Chapter 47, Title 40, Article 1, Chapter 33, Title 40, and Article 7, Chapter 47, Title 40, respectively. and who is providing child abuse medical services as defined in Section 63-11-430(B)(1) through (B)(5).

    (6) "Child abuse medical services" includes the services referenced in Section 63-11-430(B)(1) through (B)(5) and any other medical service essential to gather evidence and assess the likelihood of abuse or neglect in a child.

SECTION 2.  Section 63-11-430 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    Section 63-11-430. (A) The program coordinates and administers child abuse medical service resources for the State, by assisting and collaborating with children's hospitals, the South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, local children's advocacy centers, and state agencies charged with the investigation, assessment, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse or neglect for children in the State.

    (B) The program shall develop, support, and maintain guidelines and protocols to be followed by health care providers who are providing child abuse medical services to ensure a consistent quality standard of care and practice for the following forensic services intrinsic to the assessment of children with suspected abuse or neglect:

       (1) forensic medical evaluations, examinations, assessments, and diagnoses;

       (2) medical consultations;

       (3) medicolegal examinations and forensic evidentiary collection for acute sexual assault as defined in Section 16-3-1350;

       (3)(4) participation in multidisciplinary team case conferences and reviews;  and

       (4)(5) medical expert witness services.

    (C) The program also shall develop, support, and maintain:

       (1) guidelines for the educational, clinical training, and professional development requirements of health care providers participating in the forensic medical assessment of children who are suspected victims of child abuse or neglect;

       (2) a standardized clinical assessment tool to report the findings of the forensic medical assessment;  and

       (3) guidelines for the South Carolina Department of Social Services and law enforcement agencies on when to obtain a forensic medical assessment.

    (D) The program shall collect and manage data from child abuse health care providers participating in the program, children's advocacy centers, and children's hospitals for the purposes of establishing quality assurance programs, research, and public policy guidance.The program shall assist children's hospitals in establishing regional centers of excellence in child abuse pediatrics for the purpose of providing specialized forensic medical evaluations and services for suspected victims of child maltreatment.

    (E) The program shall collect and manage data from child abuse health care providers participating in the program, the South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, local children's advocacy centers, and children's hospitals for the purposes of establishing quality assurance programs, research, and public policy guidance.

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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