Good morning.
After being off for a week, the House of Representatives was back in session last week, focusing primarily on working on bills that are in committee.
On Wednesday, Rep. Carl Anderson, D-Georgetown, and I did get an opportunity to meet with members of the Georgetown County School Board at the State House. I appreciate the board’s efforts. Education is so important to the future of our county and state.
On Tuesday, a subcommittee of the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee passed S. 164, which would eliminate our state’s Certificate of Need requirements for most healthcare providers.
Currently, these regulations require healthcare providers to obtain government approval before expanding or establishing new healthcare facilities or services. Repealing these laws will reduce the regulatory burden on healthcare providers, increase access to healthcare in our state, and lower costs for patients, which I support.
Another healthcare related bill discussed in subcommittee last week was the South Carolina Telehealth and Telemedicine Modernization Act, which I cosponsored. This bill defines and specifies requirements for healthcare professionals who provide telehealth services and will improve access to healthcare services for all South Carolinians, especially those in remote or underserved areas.
Two bills designed to protect our children were passed out of the House Judiciary Committee.
The Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act, provides a crucial framework for preventing child abduction in family law cases. This bill prioritizes the welfare and best interests of children, making sure that child custody determination orders from other states can be registered and enforced efficiently.
The Uniform Unregulated Child Custody Transfer Act, strengthens criminal penalties for violators and requires child placement agencies to share specific information with adoptive parents. This bill ensures that children placed for adoption are not subjected to unregulated custody transfers and that they receive the financial support services they need.
I intend to support both of these bills.
On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee discussed H. 3734, a bill aimed at reforming municipal elections by requiring a more predictable election schedule for voters and requiring use of a state-approved voting system.
I hope you have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt