TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-47-38 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO PROVISION OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT MAY BE CONSTRUED TO REQUIRE A PHYSICIAN TO SECURE A MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION AS A CONDITION OF LICENSURE, REIMBURSEMENT, EMPLOYMENT, OR ADMITTING PRIVILEGES AT A HOSPITAL IN THIS STATE; AND TO DEFINE A NECESSARY TERM.

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

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 47, Title 40 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 40-47-38.    (A)    No provision of this article may be construed to require a physician to secure a Maintenance of Certification as a condition of licensure, reimbursement, employment, or admitting privileges at a hospital in this State.

(B)    For the purposes of this article, 'Maintenance of Certification' or 'MOC' means a continuing education program that measures core competencies in the practice of medicine and surgery and is approved by a nationally-recognized accrediting organization."

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