South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 353


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(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO ESTABLISH A STUDY COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR PERSONS WITH EPILEPSY IN THIS STATE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE.

Whereas, the identification and planning of systems to provide service delivery for persons with epilepsy is vital; and

Whereas, the treatment, the education and the training of the public and professional service providers, and the treatment and rehabilitation of persons with epilepsy is an investment that benefits all of society; and

Whereas, the goal of a comprehensive epilepsy program is to improve the health and welfare of persons with epilepsy by assisting them in the attainment of optimum physical, psychological, and social potential in order to enhance their quality of life and to enable them to engage in a useful and productive life; and

Whereas, various studies have been conducted that provide data on the needs of persons with epilepsy, and specifically in South Carolina this data shows that 2.2% or 90,000 individuals have had epilepsy sometime in their lifetime and 1.1% or 44,000 have epilepsy requiring treatment; and

Whereas, the prevalence of epilepsy is expected to increase with the aging population and the return of head-injured veterans; and

Whereas, those adults with active epilepsy suffer, on the average, with a 64% disability rating; and

Whereas, the rate of psychological impairment in people with active epilepsy is twice the rate of impairment in those people who do not have epilepsy; and

Whereas, it is imperative to coordinate care providers in order to provide the diverse and needed resources for persons with epilepsy to enable these persons to maintain or regain their highest quality of life and level of productivity possible. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION    1.    (A)    There is created the Study Committee on Service Delivery for Persons with Epilepsy. This committee shall review the multifaceted needs of persons with epilepsy in this State and the available resources to meet these needs and shall develop a statewide comprehensive plan for the delivery of multifaceted services to persons with epilepsy.

(B)    The committee is composed of:

(1)    two members of the public-at-large to be appointed by the Governor;

(2)    two members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3)    two members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(4)    one representative from each of the following, to serve at no additional expense to the State:

(a)    Department of Health and Environmental Control;

(b)    Department of Health and Human Services;

(c)    Department of Social Services;

(d)    Department of Disabilities and Special Needs;

(e)    Department of Vocational Rehabilitation;

(f)    Office on Aging;

(g)    Employment Security Commission;

(h)    Department of Education;

(i)     Department of Mental Health;

(j)     South Carolina Protection and Advocacy;

(k)    South Carolina Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics;

(l)     Department of Motor Vehicles;

(m)    Department of Corrections;

(n)    Department of Juvenile Justice;

(5)    one representative from each of the following to be appointed by the Governor and to serve at no additional expense to the State:

(a)    Epilepsy Foundation of South Carolina, upon the recommendation of the foundation;

(b)    Council for Independent Living, upon the recommendation of the council;

(c)    a community based neurological practitioner, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Medical Association;

(d)    a community based pediatric practitioner, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Medical Association;

(e)    a nurse practitioner, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Nursing Association;

(f)    a consultant knowledgeable in epilepsy, upon the recommendation of the Medical University of South Carolina;

(g)    a consultant knowledgeable in epilepsy, upon the recommendation of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine;

(h)    two consumers, upon the recommendation of the Epilepsy Foundation of South Carolina; both of these members must be persons with epilepsy or an immediate family member of a person with epilepsy; and

(i)     insurance industry representative, upon the recommendation of the Director of Insurance.

(C)    At the first meeting of the study committee, the members shall elect a chairman from among the committee members.

(D)    Vacancies occurring on the committee must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

SECTION    2.    (A)    The committee shall develop a specific plan for a coordinated approach to service delivery for persons with epilepsy, using the     resources of both the public and private sectors. The plan must include, but is not limited to:

(1)    a definition of epilepsy;

(2)    a statewide system that addresses the issues of prevention, identification, treatment, rehabilitation, and community integration of people with epilepsy and must include, but is not limited to:

(a)    designation of a lead agency for each person with epilepsy, which shall assume primary responsibility for coordination of service delivery for that person;

(b)    a case management system;

(c)    medical care and long term care monitoring;

(d)    education;

(e)    employment;

(f)     housing;

(g)     mental health;

(h)    independent living services; and

(i)        access to and availability of treatment resources;

(3)    recommendations for the expansion of Medicare or Medicaid, or both, and other financial services to address the needs of the epilepsy population, including families;

(4)    a data system in which epilepsy and seizure disorders can be identified from existing data sources to continually track and monitor the incidence and prevalence of epilepsy, including mortality and morbidity;

(5)    recommendations for education programs to inform the public about epilepsy, its causes, prevention, employment, first responder treatment, and availability of treatment and services. The committee shall explore instituting more programs in the public schools, kindergarten through twelfth grade and institutions of higher learning, to promote awareness of epilepsy as a growing problem and shall explore incorporating epilepsy as part of the curriculum in medical schools; and

(6)    recommendations for policy and legislative changes that may be needed including, but not limited to, insurance, employment, prevention, motor vehicle driving, and public and personal safety practices.

(B)    In carrying out its responsibilities under this joint resolution, the committee must be divided into four subcommittees: health related services, consumer support services, public information and training, and design of a comprehensive, equitable, and accessible service delivery system. The chairman may appoint such other subcommittees as he or she considers appropriate.

(C)    The committee shall submit its report to the General Assembly before July 1, 2008, at which time the Study Committee on Service Delivery for Persons with Epilepsy is abolished.

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

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