The "Medical Informed Consent Act" proposed in South Carolina seeks to impose strict regulations on vaccine mandates and protect individuals who choose not to receive vaccinations. The bill prohibits any entity, including employers and educational institutions, from mandating vaccines or gene therapies as a condition for employment or access to services, with violators facing penalties that escalate from misdemeanors to felonies. It also protects employees from adverse actions for refusing vaccines, allowing them to seek unemployment benefits and damages. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws by removing the authority for public safety to request National Guard assistance for quarantine enforcement and clarifying pharmacists' rights to refuse prescriptions.

The legislation further enhances the powers of the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) during public health emergencies, allowing for voluntary examinations, isolation, and quarantine of symptomatic individuals. It establishes informed consent requirements for vaccinations and treatments, mandates court approval for emergency isolation orders, and ensures communication access for those in quarantine to consult legal counsel. The bill also allows for the appointment of health care providers from other jurisdictions during emergencies, with provisions for waiving licensing requirements. Importantly, it includes a clause ensuring that if any part of the act is deemed unconstitutional, the remaining sections will still be effective, reflecting the General Assembly's intent to maintain the act's integrity.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 16-17-780, 41-1-55, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570
04/15/2025: 16-17-780, 41-1-55, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 40-43-170
Latest Version: 16-17-780, 41-1-55, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570