Healthcare

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-17-410, RELATING TO EMERGENCY ADMISSION TO A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE HOSPITAL, MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC, OR MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY OF A PERSON LIKELY TO CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS, SO AS TO EXTEND THE TIME THE REQUIRED CERTIFICATE IS VALID IF SAFE TRANSPORT IS UNAVAILABLE DUE TO A NATURAL DISASTER OR SOME OTHER LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 44-17-440, RELATING TO THE CUSTODY AND TRANSPORT OF A PERSON REQUIRING IMMEDIATE CARE, SO AS TO EXTEND THE TIME THE REQUIRED CERTIFICATE IS VALID IF SAFE TRANSPORT IS UNAVAILABLE DUE TO A NATURAL DISASTER OR SOME OTHER LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A FRIEND OR RELATIVE MAY TRANSPORT A MENTALLY ILL PATIENT, AND TO PROVIDE FOR CIVIL IMMUNITY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "PUT PATIENTS FIRST ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 22 TO CHAPTER 53, TITLE 44 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE REGISTERED PATIENTS TO USE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES, PHYSICIANS TO RECOMMEND THE MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA FOR THOSE PATIENTS, AND INDIVIDUALS TO ACT AS REGISTERED CAREGIVERS FOR THOSE PATIENTS, ALL WITH EXCEPTIONS; TO CREATE A CONFIDENTIAL REGISTRY THROUGH WHICH TO ISSUE IDENTIFICATION CARDS TO REGISTERED PATIENTS AND REGISTERED CAREGIVERS; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN DEFENSES AND OTHER PROTECTIONS TO REGISTERED PATIENTS, REGISTERED CAREGIVERS, AND PHYSICIANS FROM CRIMINAL LIABILITY AND PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE FOR CONDUCT AUTHORIZED BY THIS ARTICLE; TO AUTHORIZE THE OPERATION OF DISPENSARIES TO CULTIVATE, GROW, AND DISPENSE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL USE; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN DEFENSES AND PROTECTIONS TO DISPENSARIES FOR CONDUCT AUTHORIZED BY THIS ARTICLE; TO ALLOW ESTABLISHMENT OF FEES; TO CREATE CRIMINAL PENALTIES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDANCE AND FORMS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND BY REPEALING ARTICLE 4 OF CHAPTER 53, TITLE 44 RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH.