Bill 2102

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               2102
Ratification Number:       226
Act Number                 158
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Petition for emergency admission to a
                           mental health facility

(A158, R226, H2102)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-17-415 SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT THE RESULTS OF A COMPLETE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF A PERSON FIFTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER MUST ACCOMPANY THE PETITION FOR EMERGENCY ADMISSION TO A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY.

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

Certification for emergency admission

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 44-17-415. Any certification for an emergency admission of a person fifty-five years of age or older who, at the time of the petition, is a patient in a hospital or a resident of a nursing care facility pursuant to Section 44-17-410 must be accompanied by the results of the most recent physical examination, including appropriate laboratory work as contained in the medical record which must be furnished by the hospital or nursing care facility except as otherwise prohibited by federal law. The physician evaluating the mental condition of the patient shall take into consideration the results of the physical examination to ascertain how the mental and physical treatment needs of the person may best be provided."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.