TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-400 SO AS TO PROHIBIT HOSPITALS FROM UTILIZING TELEMEDICINE TO DELIVER INTENSIVE OR CRITICAL CARE SERVICES AND TO REQUIRE SUCH SERVICES BE PROVIDED OR SUPERVISED BY A PHYSICIAN WHO IS BOARD-CERTIFIED IN CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE.

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

SECTION    1.    Article 3, Chapter 7, Title 44 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 44-7-400.    A hospital is prohibited from utilizing telemedicine to deliver intensive or critical care services. Intensive or critical care services must be provided or supervised by a physician who is board-certified in critical care medicine. For purposes of this section, 'telemedicine' has the same meaning as defined in Section 40-47-20."

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