Signed by Governor Henry McMaster

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that appropriates emergency funds for the COVID-19 public health response.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $45 million from the Executive Budget Office for use by the Department of Health and Environmental Control for the coordination of the state’s public health preparedness and response to the COVID-19 virus (Sec. 1).

• Requires that beginning April 1, 2020, and every subsequent month thereafter, the Executive Budget Office provides a detailed report of all funds appropriated to the governor, general assembly, and be made available publicly on the department’s website (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Executive Budget Office to establish a COVID-19 Response account separate and distinct from all other accounts (Sec. 2).

• Requires that funds only be expended for the purposes necessary to carry out the health, safety, and welfare of the public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to take action to reallocate supplies and employees to meet the demand of hospitals and other medical providers who receive Medicaid or other state funds that are located within specific areas of this state where COVID-19 infections are most concentrated (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that for the period of March 19, 2020, to September 1, 2020, the earnings limitation imposed in South Carolina Code does not apply to retired members of the South Carolina Retirement System or Police Officers Retirement System who return to covered employment to participate in the states public health preparedness and response to the COVID-19 virus (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that this act will take effect immediately upon approval by the governor and requires the appropriations contained to be distributed immediately (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text