Reference is to the bill as introduced.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all before the enacting words and inserting:
/ Whereas, the General Assembly has determined that the State is in need of a coordinated program to respond to the medical needs of victims of child abuse and neglect; and
Whereas, the purpose of this program is to provide coordination and medical service resources to those entities responding to cases of child abuse and neglect in order to assist in the process of obtaining forensic medical information and to perform other activities as are consistent with this act. Now, therefore, /
Amend the bill further, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Chapter 11, Title 63 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 63-11-400. This article may be cited as the 'South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System Act'.
Section 63-11-410. There is created the South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System, a program to provide coordination and administration of medical service resources to those entities responding to cases of suspected child abuse or neglect. The program is administered by the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.
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 physician, 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.
Section 63-11-430. (A)
The program coordinates and administers
child abuse medical service resources for the State, assisting
and collaborating with 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 a consistent quality standard of
care and practice for the following services intrinsic to the
assessment of children with suspected abuse or neglect:
(1)
forensic medical examinations, assessments, and diagnoses;
(2)
medical consultations;
(3)
participation in multidisciplinary team case conferences
and reviews; and
(4)
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."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.