H 3568

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 3568
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A joint Resolution
TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA MINORITY HEALTH
DISPARITIES STUDY COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE AND REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES AMONG
RACIAL AND ETHNIC POPULATIONS.
Be it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1.  (A) There
is created the South Carolina Minority Health Disparities Study Committee to
examine racial and ethnic health disparities. The committee shall:
       (1) establish measurable outcomes to
reduce health disparities in the following priority areas: breast, cervical,
prostate, and colorectal cancer screenings; HIV/AIDS; adult and child
immunizations; and cardiovascular disease. To effectuate this purpose, the
Department of Public Health shall enhance current
data tools to ensure a statewide assessment of the risk behaviors associated
with the health disparity priority areas identified in this item. To the extent
feasible, the department shall conduct the assessment so that results may be
compared to national data;
       (2) examine
areas of improvement for public awareness, public education, research, and
coordination regarding minority health disparities;
       (3) consider
access and transportation issues that contribute to minority health
disparities; and
       (4) make
recommendations for closing gaps in minority health outcomes and increasing the
public's awareness and understanding of health disparities that exist among
racial and ethnic populations.
    (B) The committee
must be comprised of:
       (1) three
members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives;
       (2) three
members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;
       (3) the
Director of the Department of Public Health, or his designee;
       (4) the
Director of the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health, or his
designee; and
       (5) the
Director of the South Carolina Hospital Association, or his designee.
    (C) A vacancy in
the membership of the study committee must be filled in the manner of the
original appointment.
    (D) Members of the
committee shall serve without per diem, mileage, or other compensation
generally provided to members of boards and commissions.
    (E) The Senate
Medical Affairs Committee and the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal
Affairs Committee shall provide appropriate staffing for the study committee.
SECTION 2.  This joint resolution takes effect
upon approval by the Governor.
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This web page was last updated on December 12, 2024 at 04:35 PM