Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Committee Report

March 29, 2023

H. 3877

Introduced by Reps. West, J. Moore, M. M. Smith, Atkinson, B. J. Cox, Gagnon, Hayes and Caskey

S. Printed 03/29/23--H.                                                                                                                                                     [SEC 4/3/2023 1:47 PM]

Read the first time February 07, 2023

________

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

To who was referred a Bill (H. 3877) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 40-47-1250, relating to supervision of anesthesiologist's assistants, so as to increase the number of, etc., respectfully

Report:

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

SYLLESTE DAVIS for Committee.

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill increases the number of anesthesiologists' assistants that an anesthesiologist may supervise from two to four.   The bill also removes the requirement that an anesthesiologist assistant license applicant must appear before a member of the Board of Medical Examiners and present certain credentials and knowledge prior to receiving licensure.

LLR indicates that increasing the number of anesthesiologist's assistants that an anesthesiologist may supervise will have no expenditure impact on the department or the Board of Medical Examiners since this can be managed within the normal course of business.   Additionally, LLR indicates that the removal of the requirement for certain academic credentials and knowledge to be presented to a member of the Board of Medical Examiners prior to licensure as an anesthesiologist assistant will have no cost savings on LLR or the Board of Medical Examiners as the review of these credentials and knowledge will be shifted to other areas of the program.   Therefore, this bill will have no fiscal impact on LLR or the Board of Medical Examiners.   For reference, there are currently sixty-nine licensed anesthesiologist's assistants in South Carolina.

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

________

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 40-47-1250, RELATING TO SUPERVISION OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS' ASSISTANTS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS' ASSISTANTS THAT AN ANESTHESIOLOGIST MAY SUPERVISE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 40-47-1240, RELATING TO LICENSURE OF ANESTHESIOLOGIST'S ASSISTANTS, SO AS TO REMOVE   THE REQUIREMENT THAT LICENSURE APPLICANTS MUST APPEAR BEFORE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND PRESENT EVIDENCE OF CERTAIN RELEVANT ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS AND KNOWLEDGE.

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

SECTION 1.   Section 40-47-1250 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

      Section 40-47-1250.   An anesthesiologist's assistant shall practice only under the supervision of a physician who is actively and directly engaged in the clinical practice of medicine and meets the definition of being a supervising anesthesiologist.   An anesthesiologist may not supervise more than two four anesthesiologists' assistants at any one time.

SECTION 2.   Section 40-47-1240(8) and (9) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

      (8) appeared before a board member or board designee with his or her sponsoring anesthesiologist, presenting all original diplomas and certificates and demonstrated knowledge of the contents of this article;   and

      (9) submitted to the board any other information the board considers necessary to evaluate the applicant's qualifications.

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

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