TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 44 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, BY ADDING SECTION 44-1-225, TO PROVIDE THAT ALL NURSING HOMES AND SKILLED AND INTERMEDIATE CARE NURSING FACILITIES LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY OF AT LEAST ONE MILLION DOLLARS, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.

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

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

    "Section 44-1-225.    Any nursing home or skilled and intermediate care nursing facility licensed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control shall be required to maintain a general liability insurance policy in the amount of at least one million dollars for the period for which it is licensed. Within ten days of receiving its license, a nursing home or facility must send proof of insurance to the department, which shall retain the proof of insurance information. Failure to comply with this section shall result in the department terminating, and a nursing home or facility surrendering, the license issued to the home or facility."

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