The bill S. 819 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 44-31-45, which establishes a procedure for tuberculosis (TB) testing for applicants and new employees at nursing homes and community residential care facilities. Under this new section, facilities that have completed a TB risk assessment and determined they are low-risk must obtain a written declaration from an authorized healthcare provider confirming that the applicant shows no signs or symptoms of active tuberculosis before they begin employment. Additionally, the facilities are required to administer the second step of a two-step tuberculin skin test within the first fourteen days of the new employee's start date.

The bill also provides flexibility for nursing homes and residential care facilities by allowing them to substitute a single blood assay for mycobacterium tuberculosis in place of the two-step tuberculin skin test. Furthermore, if the facility has documentation of a negative tuberculin skin test or blood assay obtained within the previous twelve months, they may administer either a single tuberculin skin test or a single blood assay within the first fourteen days of the new employee's start date. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
01/15/2026: 44-31-45
Latest Version: 44-31-45