South Carolina H 3568: Health Disparities Study Committee

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 3568 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 12, 2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

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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