Bill 1090

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               1090
Ratification Number:       625
Act Number                 504
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Relating to the governing body of the
                           Orangeburg Regional Hospital

(A504, R625, S1090)

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE ORANGEBURG-CALHOUN REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND TO REPEAL ACT 549 OF 1955 RELATING TO THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE ORANGEBURG REGIONAL HOSPITAL.

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

Governing body--vacancies officers

Section 1. The Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Hospital shall,be governed by a board of trustees to be composed of seventeen members, twelve of whom shall be residents of Orangeburg County who shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the governing body of Orangeburg County and three of whom shall be residents of Calhoun County who shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the governing body of Calhoun County.

The Chief of Staff and the chairman of the executive committee of the hospital's medical staff shall be ex officio members of the Board. Except as otherwise provided in this act, the terms of the appointed members shall be for two years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term only. Appointments shall be filed in the offices of the clerks of court for Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties. The board shall annually elect a chairman, a vice-chairman, a secretary and such other officers as it deems necessary.

Powers and duties

Section 2. The Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Hospital Board of Trustees may do all things necessary or convenient for the establishment and maintenance of adequate hospital facilities for Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties but shall have no power to create any indebtedness or obligation against Orangeburg County without the written consent of the governing body of Orangeburg County and against Calhoun County without the written consent of the governing body of Calhoun County, and shall be empowered to:

(1) Adopt and use a corporate seal.

(2) Adopt such bylaws, rules and regulations for the conduct of its business and expenditure of its funds as it may deem advisable. The board shall afford the executive committee of the medical staff of the hospital the opportunity to present recommendations upon the request of the executive committee.

(3) Operate the hospital conveyed to the County of Orangeburg by the City of Orangeburg and such other facilities as it may lease, acquire or construct.

(4) Acquire by gift, purchase or otherwise all kinds and descriptions of real and personal property.

(5) Accept gifts, grants, donations, devises and bequests.

(6) Enlarge and improve any hospital building that it may acquire or construct.

(7) Adequately staff and equip the hospital and any facility that it may operate.

(8) Provide and operate outpatient departments.

(9) Establish and operate such clinics as the board may deem necessary to the health of the residents of Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties.

(10) Provide teaching and instruction programs and schools for nurses, hospital technicians and physicians during internship and residency.

(11) Give preference to residents of Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties when the facilities maintained become overcrowded.

(12) Establish and promulgate reasonable rates for the use of the services and facilities afforded by the board.

(13) Provide reasonable regulations concerning the use of the facilities maintained by the board, including reasonable rules governing the conduct of physicians, nurses and technicians while on duty or practicing their profession in the facilities maintained by the board, and the determination of whether patients presented to the hospital for treatment are subject for charity and to fix compensation to be paid by patients other than those unable to assist themselves.

(14) Operate and maintain a charity service for residents of both counties who are destitute and unable to pay for needed hospitalization.

(15) Expend the proceeds derived from the charges made for the use of the services and facilities of the hospital for the operation and maintenance thereof.

(16) Determine the fiscal year upon which the affairs of the board shall be conducted.

(17) Expend any funds received in any manner.

(18) Apply to the Federal Government and any other governmental agency for a grant of moneys to aid in the construction and equipment of any hospital.

(19) Dispose of any property, real or personal, that it may possess; provided, that it shall not dispose of the hospital building or any real estate without first having obtained the consent in writing of the governing bodies of both counties.

(20) Deny charity and free hospital services to nonresidents of Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties and to require such security as the board deems advisable, which security shall be pledged for the payment of hospital charges against nonresidents.

(21) Enter into contracts for the construction and repair of hospitals and hospital facilities and to contract for equipment and supplies for the same.

(22) Exercise the power of eminent domain, in the manner provided by the general laws of the State of South Carolina for procedure by any county, municipality or authority created by or organized under the laws of this State.

(23) Borrow money and pledge the revenue of the hospital if first approved by the governing bodies of both counties.

Records--receipts and expenditures--audits

Section 3. The board shall at all times keep full and accurate account of its actings and doings and of its receipts and expenditures and, at least once annually, a complete audit of the affairs of the hospital shall be made by a qualified public accountant. Copies of the audit shall be filed with the clerks of court of both counties and with the governing bodies of both counties. All monthly, quarterly or semiannual reports required by the board shall also be available to the members of each county governing body and records of the hospital shall at all times be available for inspection by each county governing body or its authorized representative.

Terms of members from Calhoun County

Section 4. Of the three members to be appointed to the board from Calhoun County pursuant to this act, two shall be appointed for terms of two years and one shall be appointed for one year.

Present members to continue to serve

Section 5. The members of the Orangeburg Regional Hospital Board presently serving shall continue to serve until the expiration of their present terms.

Repeal

Section 6. Act 549 of 1955 is repealed.

Time effective

Section 7. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.