TO PROVIDE FOR A STATEWIDE ADVISORY REFERENDUM TO BE HELD AT THE SAME TIME AS THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THIS STATE FAVOR MEDICAID EXPANSION.

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

SECTION    1.    (A)    A statewide advisory referendum must be held at the same time as the 2022 General Election to ascertain the wishes of the qualified electors of this State as to whether the State should expand Medicaid eligibility to cover individuals sixty-five years of age or younger whose income is at or below one hundred thirty-eight percent of the federal poverty level in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

    (B)    The question must be submitted to the qualified electors at the 2022 advisory referendum. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:

    "Should the State of South Carolina expand Medicaid eligibility to provide health insurance to hundreds of thousands of otherwise uninsured low-income South Carolinians by allowing coverage for individuals sixty-five years of age or younger whose income is at or below one hundred thirty-eight percent of the federal poverty level in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."

    (C)    Within sixty days after the results of the 2022 General Election are certified, the State Election Commission must submit a report to the General Assembly concerning the results of the referendum.