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2025-2026 Bill 732: Protecting Children from Cancer-Causing Radiation Act - South Carolina Legislature Online
South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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S. 732
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Kennedy
Document Path: LC-0339VR26.docx
Introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on
Medical Affairs
Summary: Protecting Children from Cancer-Causing Radiation Act
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date
Body
Action Description with journal page number
12/10/2025
Senate
Prefiled
12/10/2025
Senate
Referred to Committee on
Medical Affairs
1/13/2026
Senate
Introduced and read first time (
Senate Journal-page 35
)
1/13/2026
Senate
Referred to Committee on
Medical Affairs
(
Senate Journal-page 35
)
View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
12/10/2025
A bill
TO AMEND THE SOUTH
CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM CANCER-CAUSING
RADIATION ACT" BY ADDING SECTION
44-7-387
SO AS TO REQUIRE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
TREATING PEDIATRIC PATIENTS TO TAKE CERTAIN STEPS BEFORE RECOMMENDING X-RAY IMAGING
FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES; TO REQUIRE HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDERS TO COVER
PEDIATRIC DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AS RECOMMENDED BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS; AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
B
e it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
S
ECTION 1.
This act may be cited as the "Protecting Children from Cancer-Causing
Radiation Act."
S
ECTION 2.
A
rticle 3, Chapter 7, Title 44 of the S.C. Code is
amended by adding:
S
ection
44-7-387
.
(
A) A hospital or other
healthcare facility operating in this State must ensure that healthcare providers
treating pediatric patients take special care in reducing radiation exposure to
pediatric patients by implementing protocols and procedures that require
healthcare providers to:
(
1)
determine if the imaging is needed to answer a clinical question;
(
2)
consider alternate exams that use less or no radiation exposure, such as
ultrasound or MRI, if appropriate;
(
3)
check the patient's medical imaging history to avoid duplicate exams; and
(
4)
discuss the rationale for the recommended imaging with the patient's parent or
legal guardian to ensure a clear understanding of benefits and risks.
(
B)
The decision regarding the type of diagnostic imaging to use on a pediatric patient
should be in the complete discretion of the healthcare provider in consultation
with the patient's parent or legal guardian, not the insurance provider.
(
C)
(
1) Every individual and group health
insurance and health maintenance organization policy issued in this State pursuant
to Chapter 71, Title 38 shall include coverage for pediatric diagnostic imaging
as recommended by a pediatric patient's healthcare provider in accordance with
the provisions of this section.
(
2)
An insurer, health maintenance organization, or its officer or agent, that
issues or delivers to any person in this State any policy in wilful violation
of the requirements of this subsection, or that denies in whole or in part a
claim for coverage of pediatric diagnostic imaging recommended by a pediatric
patient's healthcare provider in accordance with the provisions of this
section, is subject to administrative penalties assessed pursuant to the
provisions of Section
38-2-10
for each offense.
(
D)
(
1) Pediatric diagnostic imaging is a
covered service under Medicaid's Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and
Treatment Program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services
pursuant to Chapter 6, Title 44. Pediatric diagnostic imaging recommended by a
Medicaid beneficiary's healthcare provider in accordance with the provisions of
this section is a reimbursable cost.
(
2)
Pediatric diagnostic imaging recommended by a patient's healthcare provider in
accordance with the provisions of this section for a child with End-Stage Renal
Disease (ESRD) who otherwise qualifies for ESRD Medicare is a covered Medicare expense.
S
ECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval
by the Governor.
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This web page was last updated on January 13, 2026 at 1:09 PM