A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-268 SO AS TO REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN PLAN OF CARE AND OTHER INFORMATION TO A PATIENT'S FAMILY.

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

SECTION 1.  Article 27, Chapter 7, Title 44 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 44-7-3445. Every hospital operating in this State must post and provide to the patient's family, and any person with the authority to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient, a written plan of care within twenty-four hours of admission to the facility and treatment progress reports at least every twenty-four hours thereafter during the patient's admission.

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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