South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004

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Bill 1146

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


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Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 28, 2004

S. 1146

Introduced by Senator Peeler

S. Printed 4/28/04--S.

Read the first time April 8, 2004.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL AFFAIRS

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 1146) to amend Article 1, Chapter 61, Title 44, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to Emergency Medical Service, so as to define certain additional terms, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

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

HARVEY S. PEELER, JR. for Committee.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:

$0 (No additional expenditures or savings are expected)

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURES:

$0 (No additional expenditures or savings are expected)

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)

The department reports that the additional license reviews, inspections, and confidentiality requirements will have no fiscal impact on the department's operations.

Administrative Law Judges

Any impact on the agency should be minimal, and the additional responsibilities could be absorbed within existing resources.

Approved By:

Don Addy

Office of State Budget

A BILL

TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 61, TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE, SO AS TO DEFINE CERTAIN ADDITIONAL TERMS, CHANGE THE PROCEDURE FOR SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A LICENSE OR A PERMIT, PROVIDE CERTAIN ACTS FOR WHICH A SERVICE MAY BE FINED, PROVIDE CERTAIN CRIMES THAT IF COMMITTED REQUIRE THE DENIAL OF CERTIFICATION, PROVIDE INSTANCES OF MISCONDUCT AND THE SUSPENSION OF A CERTIFICATE PENDING INVESTIGATION OF A COMPLAINT OF MISCONDUCT, PROVIDE FOR AN ADDITIONAL EXEMPTION, CHANGE REFERENCES TO REGULATIONS, PROVIDE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATIENT CARE RECORDS, CLARIFY LANGUAGE, AND REVISE REFERENCES.

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

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 61, Title 44 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Article 1

Emergency Medical Services

Section 44-61-10.    This chapter article may be cited as 'The Emergency Medical Services Act of South Carolina'.

Section 44-61-20.    As used in this chapter article, and unless otherwise specified, the term:

(a)    'Ambulance' means any a vehicle that is intended to be used for and is maintained or operated by a licensed provider who has obtained the necessary permits and licenses for the transportation of persons who are sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated.

(b)    'Attendant' means a trained and qualified individual responsible for the operation of an ambulance and the care of the patients, regardless of whether or not the attendant also serves as driver.

(c)    'Attendant-driver' means a person who is qualified as an attendant and a driver.

(d)    'Driver' means an individual who drives or otherwise operates an ambulance.

(e)    'Permit' means an authorization issued for an ambulance vehicle which meets the standards adopted pursuant to this chapter article.

(f)    'License' means an authorization to a person, firm, corporation or governmental division or agency to provide emergency medical services in the State.

(g)    'Licensee' means any person, firm, corporation or governmental division or agency possessing authorization, permit, license or certification to provide EMS emergency medical service in this State.

(h)    'Certificate' means official acknowledgment by the department that an individual has completed successfully completed one of the appropriate emergency medical technician training courses referred to in this chapter article in addition to completing successfully the requisite examinations, which entitles that individual to perform the functions and duties as delineated by the classification for which the certificate was issued.

(i)     'Board' means the governing body of the Department of Health and Environmental Control or its designated representative.

(j)     'Emergency medical service system' means the arrangement of personnel, facilities and equipment for the delivery of health care services under emergency conditions.

(k)    'Emergency medical technician' (technician) means an individual possessing a valid, basic, intermediate, or paramedic certificate issued by the State pursuant to the provisions of this chapter article.

(l)     'Standards' means the required measurable components of an EMS emergency medical service system having permanent and recognized value which that provide adequate emergency health care delivery.

(m)    'Authorized agent' means any individual designated to represent the department.

(n)    'Patient' means an individual who is sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.

(o)    'Operator' means an individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, group or individuals acting together for a common purpose or organization of any kind, including any governmental agency other than the United States.

(p)    'Department' means the administrative agency known as the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

(q)    'National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians license registration' means that is given to an individual who has passed a technician's examination in his state of residence, meeting the minimum training requirements deemed necessary, and is a member of completed successfully the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination and its requirements.

(r)    'In-service training' means a course of training approved by the department that is conducted by the licensed provider for his personnel at his prime location.

(s)    'Convalescent vehicle' means a vehicle that is used for making nonemergency calls such as scheduled visits to a physician's office or hospital for treatment, routine physical examinations, x-rays or laboratory tests, or is used for transporting patients upon discharge from a hospital or nursing home to a hospital or nursing home or residence, or other nonemergency calls.

(t)     'EMT First Responder Agency' means a licensed agency providing medical care at the EMT Basic level or above, as a nontransporting first responder.

(u)    'Emergency transport' means services and transportation provided after the sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of such severity including severe pain that the absence of medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in the following:

(1)    placing the patient's health in serious jeopardy;

(2)    causing serious impairment to bodily functions; or

(3)    causing serious dysfunction of bodily organ or part;

(4)    A situation that resulted from an accident, injury, acute illness, unconsciousness, or shock, for example, required oxygen or other emergency treatment, required the patient to remain immobile because of a fracture, stroke, heart attack, or severe hemorrhage.

(v)    'Nonemergency transport' means services and transportation provided to a patient whose condition is considered stable. A stable patient is one whose condition reasonably can be expected to remain the same throughout the transport and for whom none of the criteria for emergency transport has been met. Prearranged transports scheduled at the convenience of the service or medical facility will be classified as a nonemergency transport.

(w)    'Moral turpitude' means behavior that is not in conformity with and is considered deviant by societal standards.

(x)    'Condition requiring an emergency response' means the sudden onset of a medical condition manifest by symptoms of such sufficient severity, including severe pain, that a prudent layperson who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine could reasonably expect without medical attention, to result in:

(1)    serious illness or disability;

(2)    impairment of a bodily function;

(3)    dysfunction of the body; or

(4)    prolonged pain, psychiatric disturbance, or symptoms of withdrawal.

(y)    'Revocation' means that the department has permanently voided a license, permit, or certificate and the holder no longer may perform the function associated with the license, permit, or certificate. The department will not reissue the license, permit, or certificate for a period of two years for a license or permit and three years for a certificate. At the end of this period, the holder may petition for reinstatement.

(z)    'Suspension' means that the department has temporarily voided a license, permit, or certificate and the holder may not perform the function associated with the license, permit, or certificate until the holder has complied with the statutory requirements and other conditions imposed by the department.

Section 44-61-30.    (a)    The Department of Health and Environmental Control, with the advice of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council, shall develop standards and prescribe regulations for the improvement of emergency medical services (hereinafter referred to as EMS) in the State. All administrative responsibility for this program is vested in the department.

(b)    The EMS program shall include:

(1)    the regulation and licensing of public, private, volunteer, or other type ambulance services; however, in developing these programs for regulating and licensing ambulance services, the programs must be formulated in such a manner so as not to restrict or restrain competition;

(2)    inspection and issuance of permits for ambulance vehicles;

(3)    the licensing of EMT first responder agencies;

(4)    training and certification of EMS personnel;

(5)    development, adoption, and implementation of EMS standards and state plan;

(6)    the development and coordination of an EMS communications system; and

(7)    designation of trauma centers and the categorization of hospital emergency departments.

(c)    An Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council must be established composed of representatives of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, the South Carolina Medical Association, the South Carolina Committee on Trauma, the South Carolina Hospital Association, the South Carolina Heart Association, Medical University of South Carolina, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, South Carolina College of Emergency Physicians, South Carolina Emergency Nurses Association, Emergency Management Division of the Office of the Adjutant General, South Carolina Emergency Medical Services Association, State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Department of Health and Human Services, four regional Emergency Medical Services councils, and one EMT first responder agency. Membership on the council must be by appointment by the board. Three members of the advisory council must be members of organized rescue squads operating in this State, three members shall represent the private emergency services systems, and three members shall represent the county emergency medical services systems.

Section 44-61-40.    (a)    No A person, firm, corporation, association, county, district, municipality, or metropolitan government or agency, either as owner, agent, or otherwise, shall may not furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise, or otherwise engage in or profess to engage in the business or service of providing EMT first response or ambulance service, or both, without obtaining a valid license and ambulance permit issued by the department.

(b)    Initial Applicants shall file license applications shall be filed with the appropriate official of the department having authority over emergency services. As At a minimum, license applications shall contain evidence of ability to conform to the standards and regulations established by the Board and such other information as may be required by the department. Upon receipt of the application, the Department official shall approve the application if the applicant demonstrates ability to conform to the duly published standards and regulations within thirty days. If the application is approved, the license shall be issued. If the application is disapproved the applicant shall have the right to appeal such decision to the Board within thirty days after receiving the notice required below. The Department official shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for such disapproval and of his right to appeal to the Board. If the applicant appeals to the Board, the decision to grant or deny the license application shall be by majority vote of the total membership of the Board at a full evidentiary hearing to be conducted within thirty days from receipt of the applicant's appeal. The decision of the Board shall be mailed to the applicant within thirty days after the hearing together with a statement as to the reasons for denial in the event the Board denies such appeal. Such decision shall constitute final administrative action and be subject to review by the circuit court upon petition filed by the applicant with the court and a copy thereof served upon the secretary of the Board within thirty days from the date of delivery of the decision of the Board to the applicant. If the application is approved, the license will be issued. If the application is disapproved, the applicant may appeal in a manner pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act beginning at Section 1-23-310.

(c)    License Applicants shall renew licenses and permits shall be renewable every two years. upon compliance with Section 44-61-80(d).

Section 44-61-50.    Hereafter, no A vehicle may must not be operated as an ambulance, except unless its licensed owner apply applies for and receive an ambulance permit issued by the department for that vehicle. Prior to issuing an original permit for an ambulance, the vehicle for which the permit is issued shall meet all requirements as to vehicle design, construction, staffing, medical and communication equipment and supplies, and sanitation as set forth in this chapter article or in the standards and regulations established by the Board. Absent revocation or suspension permits issued for ambulances shall be are valid for a period not to exceed two years.

Section 44-61-60.    (a)    Such equipment as deemed necessary by the department of Health and Environmental Control shall must be required of organizations applying for ambulance permits. Each licensee of an ambulance shall comply with such regulations as may be promulgated by the Board and shall maintain in each such ambulance at all times, when it is in use as such, all such equipment as may be prescribed by the Board.

(b)    The transportation of patients and the provision of emergency medical services shall conform to standards adopted by the Board.

Section 44-61-65.    Organizations applying for first responder licensure must comply with equipment, training, and certification standards and other requirements promulgated by the department in regulation.

Section 44-61-70.    (a)    The appropriate official of the department having authority over emergency services shall have authority to recommend suspension of the license, certificate or permit of any person, firm, corporation, association, county, district, municipality or metropolitan government or agency for noncompliance with this chapter or the standards or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

The department official, if he has reason to believe that reasonable grounds exist, shall recommend to the board the suspension or revocation of the authorization, license, permit or certification of the licensee and shall notify the licensee of his recommendation not less than thirty days before the board shall consider such recommendation. The notice shall specify the alleged grounds therefor and the licensee shall be offered an opportunity to be heard at the hearing of the board in answer thereto. The board, at a full evidentiary hearing, shall determine whether or not the authorization, license, permit or certification shall be suspended or revoked. The decision to suspend or revoke shall be by majority vote of the total membership of the board. Such decision shall constitute final administrative action and shall be subject to review by the Circuit Court upon petition filed with the court and a copy thereof served upon the secretary of the board within thirty days from the date of delivery of the decision of the board from which such person is appealing.

No suspension or revocation of a license, authorization, permit or certification shall be effective until such time as the question of suspension or revocation has been finally resolved and if a decision of the board is appealed in court, no such suspension or revocation shall be effective until a final court determination is made. Provided, however, that if the Director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control determines that a clear and present danger would exist to the public health, safety or welfare if the license, authorization, permit or certification were not immediately suspended or revoked, the suspension or revocation shall be immediate. The department may enforce rules, regulations, and standards promulgated and set pursuant to this article. An enforcement action taken by the department may be appealed pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act beginning with Section 1-23-310.

(b)    Grounds for revocation or suspension of an enforcement action against an authorization, license, or permit or certification shall exist for violation of any a rule or regulation prescribed by the Board if such rule or regulation has been duly filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to this article. The department may suspend a license pending an investigation of an alleged violation or complaint. The department may impose a civil monetary penalty up to five hundred dollars per offense per day to a maximum of ten thousand dollars and revoke or suspend the provider's license or permit if the department finds that a service has:

(1)    allowed uncertified personnel to perform patient care;

(2)    falsified required forms or paperwork as required by the department;

(3)    failed to maintain required equipment as evidenced by past compliance history;

(4)    failed to maintain a medical control physician;

(5)    failed to maintain equipment in working order; or

(6)    failed to respond to a call within the response area of the service without providing for response by an alternate service.

(c)    Whoever hinders, obstructs or interferes with an officer, inspector or a duly authorized agent of the department while in the performance of his duties or violates any a provision of this chapter article or rule or regulation of the Board promulgated pursuant thereto shall be deemed to this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall must be punished by a fine of not less than fifty five hundred dollars nor and not more than two five thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not less than ten days nor more than six months for each offense. Any certificate of the Department in regard to the records of the Department shall be Information pertaining to the license or permit is admissible in evidence in all prosecutions under this chapter article if it is consistent with applicable statutory provisions.

(d)    If a permitted ambulance or licensed first responder service fails inspection or loses points upon initial inspection, a civil monetary penalty must not be levied. Instead, a copy of the inspection report will be given to the service indicating deficiencies found and a request for a letter of compliance and a time period by which to correct the deficiencies will be issued. Upon reinspection, any deficiencies found will be assigned a point value and fine schedule or the permit will be revoked, or both. The fine schedule is found in Regulation 61-7.

Section 44-61-80.    (a)    All ambulance attendants shall obtain a valid emergency medical technician certificate unless an exception is granted pursuant to regulations promulgated by the department.

(b)    The department shall develop and approve curricula for the necessary classification of emergency medical technicians and approve the training program for the necessary classifications of emergency medical technicians.

(c)    Any A person desiring seeking EMT certification as an emergency medical technician must complete the appropriate emergency medical technician course and apply to the Department must pass the National Registry examination for the level of certification desired and meet other requirements established by the department. The department shall will make a determination of the applicant's qualifications and shall if appropriate, issue the appropriate a certificate to the applicant. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians licenses shall be acceptable to obtain a state emergency medical technician's certificate.

(d)    The department may deny certification to applicants with certain past felony convictions and to those who are under felony indictment. Applications for certification of individuals convicted of or under indictment for the following crimes will be denied in all cases:

(1)    felonies involving criminal sexual conduct;

(2)    felonies involving the physical or sexual abuse of children, the elderly, or the infirm, including, but not limited to, criminal sexual misconduct with a child, making or distributing child pornography or using a child in a sexual display, incest involving a child, assault on a vulnerable adult;

(3)    a crime in which the victim is a patient or resident of a health care facility, including abuse, neglect, theft from, or financial exploitation of a person entrusted to the care or protection of the applicant.

Applications from individuals convicted of, or under indictment for, other offenses not listed above will be reviewed by the department on a case by case basis.

(e)    A certificate EMT certification is valid for a period not exceeding three years from the date of issuance and may must be renewed every three years from the date of original certification subject to the holder by completing a refresher course and examination during the three-year certification period as required by the department and provided for by this chapter article. Upon successful completion of an approved in-service training program directed by the medical control physician during the three-year certification period and passage of the skills evaluation as provided for by the department, the refresher course requirements and the practical skills evaluation may be waived. Failure to pass the written examination after two three attempts will require completion of the another refresher course and reexamination. The curriculum for in-service training programs required in this subsection shall must include but not be limited to subject matter prescribed by the department. The in-service training programs shall consist of classroom and skills phases that may be conducted at ambulance licensed services, educational facilities, or hospitals throughout the State. The medical control physician who evaluates the skills of an emergency medical technician applying for certificate renewal may also grant a waiver of taking the written exam. The waiver must certify that the emergency medical technician is knowledgeable, proficient, and capable of performing the duties of an emergency medical technician. The accomplished waiver substitutes for the written exam, and but all others are required to take the prescribed written exam before renewal. Those who are nationally registered may exempt the state practical and written exam upon submission of appropriate documentation.

(e)(f)    The department shall suspend or revoke may take enforcement action against the holder of a certificate so issued at any time it is determined that the holder no longer meets the prescribed qualifications set forth by the department or has failed to provide to patients emergency medical treatment of a quality deemed acceptable by the department or is guilty of misconduct as outlined by the rules and regulations. Misconduct means that, while holding a certificate, the holder:

(1)    used a false, fraudulent, or forged statement or document or practiced a fraudulent, deceitful, or dishonest act in connection with the certification requirements or official documents required by the department;

(2)    was convicted of or currently under indictment for a felony or another crime involving moral turpitude, drugs, or gross immorality;

(3)    was addicted to alcohol or drugs to such a degree as to render him unfit to perform as an EMT;

(4)    sustained a mental or physical disability that renders further practice by him dangerous to the public;

(5)    obtained fees or assisted another in obtaining fees under dishonorable, false, or fraudulent circumstances;

(6)    disregarded an appropriate order by a physician concerning emergency treatment or transportation;

(7)    at the scene of an accident or illness, refused to administer emergency care based on the age, sex, race, religion, creed, or national origin of the patient;

(8)    after initiating care of a patient at the scene of an accident or illness, discontinued care or abandoned the patient without the patient's consent or without providing for the further administration of care by an equal or higher medical authority;

(9)    revealed confidences entrusted to him in the course of medical attendance, unless this revelation was required by law or is necessary in order to protect the welfare of the individual or the community;

(10)    by action or omission and without mitigating circumstance, contributed to or furthered the injury or illness of a patient under his care;

(11)    was careless, reckless, or irresponsible in the operation of an emergency vehicle;

(12)    performed skills above the level for which he was certified or performed skills that he was not trained to do;

(13)    observed the administration of substandard care by another EMT or other medical provider without documenting the event and notifying a supervisor;

(14)    by his actions or inactions, created a substantial possibility that death or serious physical harm could result;

(15)    did not take or complete remedial training or other courses of action as directed by the department as a result of an investigation or inquiry;

(16)    was found to be guilty of the falsification of documentation as required by the department;

(17)    breached a section of the Emergency Medical Services Act of South Carolina or a subsequent amendment of the act or any rules or regulations published pursuant to the act.

The department is further authorized to suspend a certificate pending the investigation of any complaint or allegation regarding the commission of an offense, including but not limited to, those listed above.

(f)(g)    All instructors of emergency medical technician training courses shall must be certified by the department pursuant to requirements established by the Board; and all such training courses shall be supervised by certified instructors.

Section 44-61-90.    Each licensee shall maintain records that include approved patient care report forms, employee/member rosters, time sheets, call rosters, and training records. These records must be available for inspection by the department at any reasonable time and copies must be furnished to the department upon request.

Section 44-61-100.    The following are exempted from the provisions of this chapter article:

(a)    Ambulances owned and operated by the Federal Government.

(b)    A vehicle or vehicles, including associated personnel, rendering assistance to community ambulances in the case of a catastrophe when licensed ambulances in the locality are insufficient to render the required services.

(c)    The use of a privately or publicly owned vehicle, not ordinarily utilized in the transportation of persons who are sick, injured or otherwise incapacitated and operating under the provisions of pursuant to Section 15-1-310 (Good Samaritan Act) in the prevention of loss of life and alleviation of suffering.

(d)    The use of out-of-state ambulance services and personnel to assist with treatment and transport of patients during a disaster or catastrophe when licensed services in the locality are insufficient to render the required services.

Section 44-61-105.    The governing body of any county may exempt, by ordinance, any ambulances used primarily as convalescent transport units from the size provisions of this chapter article or any a regulations relating to size requirements promulgated pursuant to this chapter article.

Any vehicle which does not meet the size requirements named in federal specification KKK-A-1822 may be used as a convalescent transport unit provided it meets the following requirements:

1.    There shall be no restrictions concerning the painted color of convalescent transport units.

2.    No emblems or markings detailed in Section 7-V(A) 501 of Regulation 61-7 of the department may be employed by convalescent transport units, except that the name of the operating company or organization shall be allowed on the vehicle.

3.(a)     The minimum inside length from the back of the driver's seat to the closed rear door of the vehicle is one hundred eight inches.

(b)    The minimum inside width is sixty-six inches from window to window.

(c)    The minimum inside height from floor to ceiling is fifty-two inches.

4.(a)     Rear doors shall swing clear of the opening to permit full access to the patient compartment.

(b)    All patient compartment doors shall incorporate a holding device to prevent the door closing unintentionally from wind or vibration. When doors are open the holding device shall not protrude into the access area.

(c)    The spare tire shall be secured and stored in such a position that it may be removed without disturbing the patient.

5.(a)     Lighting must be available for both the driver and an attendant, if riding in the driving compartment, to read maps, records, etc. There must be shielding of the driver's area from the lights in the patient compartment.

(b)    Illumination must be sufficient throughout the compartment for adequate observation of vital signs, such as skin color and pupillary reflex, and for care in transit. Controls will be located in the patient compartment.

6.(a)     There shall be at least one flood light mounted above the rear door of the vehicle.

(b)    Convalescent transport units are prohibited from using emergency lights. Yellow warning lights may be installed, however, with use limited to emergencies that may develop while transporting convalescent patients.

7.    All safety factors for the patient compartment detailed in Section 7-V(A) 10 501 of Regulation 61-7 of the department shall be employed by convalescent transport units with the exception of 7-V(A)10(a).

8.    All environmental equipment and specifications detailed in Section 7-V(A)11 501 of Regulation 61-7 of the department shall be employed by convalescent transport units with the exception that there need not be separate heating and air conditioning controls in the patient compartment unless a bulkhead or other physical boundary prevents adequate circulation.

9.    A spare wheel with appropriate size, inflated, mounted tire shall be provided in addition to a jack and wheel lug wrench.

10.    Convalescent transport units shall have storage cabinets of sufficient size and configuration to store all required equipment. All equipment must be accessible to the attendant at all times.

11.    All convalescent transport units are prohibited the use of any siren or public address system.

12.    All windows, windshield and door glass must be shatterproof.

13.    Convalescent transport units must be equipped with the minimum ambulance medical equipment detailed in Section 7-VI 601 of Regulation 61-7 of the department.

14.    There must be at least one certified Emergency Medical Technician in the patient compartment each time a patient is transported.

Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as prohibiting those ambulances meeting the requirements of federal specification KKK-1822 from operating as both convalescent and emergency vehicles.

Section 44-61-110.    No financial grants or funds administered by the State for emergency medical services pertinent to this chapter article shall be made available to counties or municipalities not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter article.

Section 44-61-120.    The Department shall develop a comprehensive statewide emergency medical services plan to implement and insure the delivery of adequate emergency medical services to every citizen.

Section 44-61-130.    A duly certified emergency medical technician may perform any function consistent with his certification, according to such rules and regulations as the board may prescribe.

Emergency Medical Technicians, trained to provide advanced life support and possessing current Department of Health and Environmental Control certification while on duty with a licensed service, are authorized to possess limited quantities of drugs, including controlled substances, as may be approved by the Department of Health and Environmental Control for administration to patients during the regular course of duties of such Emergency Medical Technicians, pursuant to the written or verbal order of a physician possessing a valid license to practice medicine within this State provided such physician is registered under the State and federal laws pertaining to controlled substances.

Section 44-61-140.    Nothing in This chapter may article must not be construed as limiting presently operating rescue units from utilizing their existing equipment and performing the functions they are now allowed to do so long as they do not conflict with licensed agencies contained in subsection (a) of Section 44-61-40.

Section 44-61-150.    All rules and regulations promulgated by the Board shall be filed with the Secretary of State.

Section 44-61-160.    (a)    The identities of patients, emergency, and critical care medical services personnel and emergency and critical care medical services mentioned, referenced, or otherwise appearing in information and data collected or prepared by or in connection with emergency medical services must be treated as strictly confidential. The identities of these persons or entities are not available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act nor are they subject to subpoena in any administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding, and they are not otherwise available except pursuant to court order. An individual's attendance at a proceeding must not be required to testify as to the identity of a person or entity except pursuant to court order. A person, medical facility, or other organization providing or releasing information in accordance with this article must not be held liable in a civil or criminal action for divulging confidential information unless the individual or organization acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose.

(b)    The identity of a patient, physician, or hospital is confidential and must not be released except that the identity of a patient may be released upon written consent of the patient or the patient's legal representative; the identity of a physician may be released upon written consent of the physician; and the identity of a hospital may be released upon written consent of the hospital.

(c)    The contents of an official investigation or inquiry conducted by the Emergency Medical Services Section within the Department of Health and Environmental Control must be treated as confidential and only may be released in a legal proceeding involving the question of licensing, certification, or revocation of a license or certificate. The proceedings, records, and information acquired or produced by the emergency practices review committee is confidential pursuant to Section 40-71-20. The emergency practices review committee is a professional committee that reviews the information on official investigations into the actions of a certified EMT at any level or a licensed emergency medical service.

(d)    Information must not be released except to:

(1)    appropriate staff of the Emergency Medical Services Section within the Department of Health and Environmental Control, South Carolina Data Oversight Council, and State Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics;

(2)    submitting hospitals or their designees;

(3)    a person engaged in an approved research project, except that information identifying a subject of a report or a reporter must not be made available to a researcher unless consent is obtained pursuant to this section.

(e)    For purposes of maintaining the data base collected pursuant to this article, the department and the Office of Research and Statistics may access and provide access to appropriate confidential data reported in accordance with Section 44-61-160.

(f)    A person subject to this article who intentionally fails to comply with reporting, confidentiality, or disclosure requirements of this article is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars for a violation the first time a person fails to comply and not more than five thousand dollars for a subsequent violation.

(g)    This section supersedes any other provision of law, with the exception of federal law, which may be contrary to requirements set forth in this section."

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

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