Bill > H4799

This bill amends South Carolina's existing Certificate of Need (CON) law to explicitly exempt veterans homes owned or operated by the Department of Veterans' Affairs from requiring a Certificate of Need. A Certificate of Need is a regulatory process that requires healthcare providers to obtain state approval before making certain significant changes to healthcare facilities, such as adding new beds or constructing new facilities. The bill modifies Section 44-7-170(B) of the state code to clarify that hospitals owned or operated by the Department of Veterans' Affairs are not subject to CON requirements, with the only exception being an increase in the total number of beds beyond what existed in predecessor departments' healthcare facilities as of July 1, 1988. The bill will take effect immediately upon receiving the Governor's approval, which will make it easier for the state's veterans homes to expand or establish new facilities without going through the lengthy and complex Certificate of Need approval process.

Health and Social Services

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4799&session=126&summary=B