Bill > H4343

This bill mandates that licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses (excluding certified registered nurse anesthetists), physicians, and physician assistants in South Carolina must complete a one-hour continuing education course on human trafficking awareness and prevention as a requirement for renewing or reinstating their licenses. This training, which must be provided by approved continuing education providers and cover identifying victims, reporting laws, and providing care, is intended to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge to recognize and assist victims of human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery where individuals are exploited for labor or commercial sex. The bill sets specific deadlines for initial completion, requiring those licensed before January 1, 2026, to finish the course by January 1, 2028, and every six years thereafter, while those licensed on or after January 1, 2026, must complete it within two years of initial licensure and every six years thereafter. The relevant state boards, in collaboration with the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, will establish rules for implementing these new training requirements.

Health and Social Services

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4343&session=126&summary=B