H 5013

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5013
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A bill
TO AMEND THE SOUTH
CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-1-320 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE
MARSHAL, TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A STATEWIDE FIREFIGHTER OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH PROGRAM TO TEST FOR CERTAIN CARCINOGENIC SUBSTANCES AND TO PROVIDE
HEALTH AND CANCER SCREENINGS, ALL AT NO CHARGE, TO FIREFIGHTERS; AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 1, Title 44 of the S.C. Code is amended by
adding:
    Section
44-1-320.  (A) The Department of
Public Health, in coordination with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, shall
establish and administer a statewide firefighter occupational health program as
outlined in this section.
    (B)
The department shall provide, at no cost to the firefighter, annual blood
testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for all active career
and volunteer firefighters employed by a municipal, county, state, or special
purpose district fire department.
    (C)
For purposes of PFAS testing, the department shall contract with a qualified
medical provider that meets all of the following requirements:
       (1)
demonstrated expertise in PFAS-specific blood testing and toxic exposure
analysis, including interpretation of firefighter exposure levels;
       (2)
ability to perform large-scale blood collection and analysis using standardized
laboratory methodologies appropriate for occupational exposure monitoring;
       (3)
capacity to provide statewide access, including coordination with fire
departments to ensure participation by career and volunteer firefighters;
       (4)
provision of individual confidential PFAS test results directly to
firefighters, including explanatory materials regarding exposure levels and
potential health considerations; and
       (5)
capability to provide aggregate, de-identified PFAS exposure data to the
department for public health monitoring and reporting purposes.
    (D)(1) The department also shall provide,
at no cost to the firefighter, annual occupational health and cancer
screenings, including cancer-related diagnostic testing consistent with
nationally recognized firefighter medical and occupational exposure standards.
       (2)
For purposes of occupational health and cancer screenings, the department shall
contract with a single statewide medical and diagnostic provider that meets all
of the following minimum qualifications:
  (a)
demonstrated specialization in firefighter occupational health, cancer risk
screening, and early cancer detection;
  (b)
ability to provide mobile, on-site comprehensive diagnostic screenings
statewide, including urban, rural, and volunteer fire departments;
  (c)
capacity to deliver multisystem cancer screening and diagnostic services
through an integrated clinical model under a single contract;
  (d)
maintenance of a secure longitudinal health database capable of tracking
firefighter screening results over the course of a firefighter's career for
trend analysis and early detection;
  (e)
provision of individualized confidential medical reports directly to
firefighters, accompanied by clinical interpretation and follow-up guidance
from licensed medical professionals;
  (f)
ability to provide aggregate, de-identified health data to the department for
program evaluation, epidemiological analysis, and public health planning; and
  (g)
demonstrated experience administering firefighter-specific health screening
programs at a statewide or multijurisdictional level.
    (E)
Fire departments are not responsible for contracting or procuring services
under this section.
    (F)
Individual test results obtained pursuant to this section are confidential
medical records protected by state and federal law and may not be used for
discipline, termination, denial of promotion, or any adverse employment action.
    (G)
Fire departments shall allow reasonable paid release time for firefighters to
participate in testing and screenings required pursuant to this section.
SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval
by the Governor.
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This web page was last updated on January 27, 2026 at 10:14 AM