South Carolina S 732: Janice Marie Negus

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 732 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 10, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 732

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 ENACTING THE "PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM CANCER-CAUSING 
RADIATION ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-387 SO AS TO REQUIRE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS 
TREATING PEDIATRIC PATIENTS TO TAKE CERTAIN STEPS BEFORE RECOMMENDING X-RAY IMAGING 
FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES; TO REQUIRE HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDERS TO COVER 
PEDIATRIC DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AS RECOMMENDED BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS; AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "Protecting Children from Cancer-Causing 
Radiation Act."

SECTION 2. Article 3, Chapter 7, Title 44 of the S.C. Code is 
amended by adding:

 Section 
44-7-387. (A) A hospital or other 
healthcare facility operating in this State must ensure that healthcare providers 
treating pediatric patients take special care in reducing radiation exposure to 
pediatric patients by implementing protocols and procedures that require 
healthcare providers to:

 (1) 
determine if the imaging is needed to answer a clinical question;

 (2) 
consider alternate exams that use less or no radiation exposure, such as 
ultrasound or MRI, if appropriate;

 (3) 
check the patient's medical imaging history to avoid duplicate exams; and

 (4) 
discuss the rationale for the recommended imaging with the patient's parent or 
legal guardian to ensure a clear understanding of benefits and risks.

 (B) 
The decision regarding the type of diagnostic imaging to use on a pediatric patient 
should be in the complete discretion of the healthcare provider in consultation 
with the patient's parent or legal guardian, not the insurance provider.

 (C)(1) Every individual and group health 
insurance and health maintenance organization policy issued in this State pursuant 
to Chapter 71, Title 38 shall include coverage for pediatric diagnostic imaging 
as recommended by a pediatric patient's healthcare provider in accordance with 
the provisions of this section.

 (2) 
An insurer, health maintenance organization, or its officer or agent, that 
issues or delivers to any person in this State any policy in wilful violation 
of the requirements of this subsection, or that denies in whole or in part a 
claim for coverage of pediatric diagnostic imaging recommended by a pediatric 
patient's healthcare provider in accordance with the provisions of this 
section, is subject to administrative penalties assessed pursuant to the 
provisions of Section 38-2-10 for each offense.

 (D)(1) Pediatric diagnostic imaging is a 
covered service under Medicaid's Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and 
Treatment Program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services 
pursuant to Chapter 6, Title 44. Pediatric diagnostic imaging recommended by a 
Medicaid beneficiary's healthcare provider in accordance with the provisions of 
this section is a reimbursable cost.

 (2) 
Pediatric diagnostic imaging recommended by a patient's healthcare provider in 
accordance with the provisions of this section for a child with End-Stage Renal 
Disease (ESRD) who otherwise qualifies for ESRD Medicare is a covered Medicare expense.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval 
by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on December 10, 2025 at 02:29 PM