The bill S. 985 aims to enhance the framework for continuous quality improvement programs implemented by prehospital clinicians in South Carolina. It introduces a new Article 9 to Chapter 61, Title 44 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which defines key terms such as "continuous quality improvement," "emergency medical services clinician," and "prehospital care." The bill establishes that all activities, records, and reports related to these improvement programs are privileged and confidential, exempt from disclosure, and not subject to use as evidence in legal proceedings. It also outlines specific protections for various processes involved in quality improvement, including peer reviews and training sessions.

Additionally, the bill stipulates penalties for unauthorized disclosure of information related to continuous quality improvement activities and grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to participants acting in good faith within their duties. However, this immunity does not extend to those engaging in willful misconduct or gross negligence. The provisions of this bill are designed to ensure that the quality of care provided by prehospital clinicians is continuously improved while safeguarding the confidentiality of the data and reports generated in the process. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.