TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-395 SO AS TO REQUIRE ANY HOSPITAL PROVIDING INTENSIVE OR CRITICAL CARE SERVICES TO HAVE A BOARD-CERTIFIED CRITICAL CARE DOCTOR ON DUTY OR ON CALL AT ALL TIMES.

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 44-7-395.    Any hospital providing intensive or critical care services must, at all times, have a physician who is board-certified in critical care medicine who is on duty at the hospital or who is on call and immediately available to provide medical assistance."

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