South Carolina H 5013: PFAS Testing Program

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5013 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 27, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

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