A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-11-735 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE HEALTH PLAN MUST INCLUDE COVERAGE FOR CONTRACEPTIVES FOR DEPENDENTS OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE PLAN; AND BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-146 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ALL HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS IN THIS STATE MUST INCLUDE COVERAGE FOR CONTRACEPTIVES.

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

SECTION 1.   Article 5, Chapter 11, Title 1 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 1-11-735.   The Public Health Benefit Authority shall provide coverage for prescription contraceptives for the dependents of active and retired employees of this State and its public school districts under the same terms and conditions that the State Health Plan provides for employees and spouses. The State Health Plan shall not apply patient cost sharing provisions to covered contraceptives.

SECTION 2.   Chapter 71, Title 38 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 38-71-146.   All individual and group health insurance and health maintenance organization policies in this State shall include coverage for contraceptives. For purposes of this section, "contraceptive" means any drug, device, or medication to prevent pregnancy. A contraceptive may prevent ovulation, fertilization, or implantation in the uterus. A contraceptive does not include any drug, device, or medication used with the intent of terminating a pregnancy of a woman known to be pregnant.

SECTION 3.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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