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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-1-320 SO AS TO ESTABLISH AN "ADVISORY COUNCIL ON PEDIATRIC ACUTE-ONSET NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SYNDROME (PANS) AND PEDIATRIC AUTOIMMUNE NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDER ASSOCIATED WITH STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS (PANDAS)"; TO PROVIDE FOR MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL; TO REQUIRE THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO APPOINT CERTAIN MEMBERS AND TO PROVIDE STAFF SUPPORT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 44 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 44-1-320. (A) There is established an advisory council on pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and its subset, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS), to advise the Department of Health and Environmental Control on research, diagnosis, treatment, and education relating to the syndrome and disorder.
(B) The advisory council shall consist of the following members who, except as otherwise provided, must be appointed by the director of the department:
(1) a representative of a nonprofit pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome advocacy organization;
(2) a representative of a professional organization for school psychologists or school social workers organized under the laws of this State;
(3) a representative of a professional organization for school nurses organized under the laws of this State;
(4) a family practice physician licensed and practicing in this State who has experience treating persons with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome;
(5) a pediatrician licensed and practicing in this State who has experience treating persons with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome;
(6) a child psychiatrist licensed and practicing in this State who has experience treating persons with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome;
(7) a representative of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), with training on teaching classes on mental health management, 'NAMI Ending the Silence', or support group facilitation;
(8) a parent with a child who has been diagnosed with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome;
(9) a representative of the State Board of Education with experience in special education;
(10) one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
(11) one member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
(12) the director of the department, or a designee, who shall be an ex-officio, nonvoting member and shall attend all meetings of the advisory council.
(C) Any member of the advisory council appointed pursuant to this section may be a member of the General Assembly. Appointed members shall serve for a period of three years and until their successor is appointed. The members shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson from among the membership. The department shall provide staff support for the advisory council to perform their duties.
(D) Members of the advisory council may not receive compensation, but are entitled to mileage, subsistence, and per diem as allowed by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.
(E) The director of the department shall schedule the first meeting of the advisory council, which must be held no later than ninety days after the effective date of this act. A majority of the voting council members constitutes a quorum. A majority of the quorum is required for any official action of the advisory council. The advisory council shall meet upon the call of the chairperson and at the request of a majority of the members of the advisory council; provided, the advisory council shall meet at least four times per year.
(F) No later than July 1, 2020, and annually thereafter, the advisory council shall issue a report to the General Assembly with recommendations concerning:
(1) up-to-date practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and its subset, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS);
(2) mechanisms to increase clinical awareness and education regarding the syndrome and disorder among physicians, including pediatricians, school-based health centers, and providers of mental health services;
(3) outreach to educators and parents to increase awareness of the syndrome and disorder; and
(4) development of a network of volunteer experts on the diagnosis and treatment of the syndrome and disorder to assist in education and outreach."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on January 23, 2019 at 2:40 PM