TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SHALL DEVELOP A PLAN TO ADDRESS THE GROWING POPULATION OF INMATES WITH DEMENTIA AND REPORT ITS PLAN TO THE GOVERNOR, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

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

SECTION    1.    The South Carolina Department of Corrections shall develop a plan to address the growing population of inmates who suffer from dementia. The department shall determine whether it is feasible to implement programs that allow inmates in good standing to be paired with and provide care for inmates that suffer from dementia. Also, the plan shall address whether inmates suffering from dementia can be housed in separate facilities that employ properly trained nurses and certified nursing assistants who are trained to handle inmates suffering from dementia.

SECTION    2.    The department shall report its plan to address these issues contained in SECTION 1, along with a cost analysis to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1, 2020.

SECTION    3.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.