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H 3568

Health Disparities Study Committee

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosalyn Henderson-Myers

Establishes the SC Minority Health Disparities Study Committee to set measurable targets, improve data tools, and recommend actions to cut racial/ethnic health disparities.

Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
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Bill Summary · H 3568

Summary — H 3568: Health Disparities Study Committee (Joint Resolution)

Note on source material
- The materials provided include two different pieces of legislation: a South Carolina joint resolution establishing a Minority Health Disparities Study Committee (text used below) and an unrelated Massachusetts bill about prohibiting utility/ratepayer funding for solar facilities that clearcut forested land. This summary focuses on the South Carolina joint resolution titled to establish a Minority Health Disparities Study Committee, which matches the bill classification “joint resolution” and the stated title.

Main purpose

Create a temporary/state study committee to examine racial and ethnic health disparities in South Carolina, set measurable outcome targets in priority health areas, assess data and system gaps, and recommend strategies to reduce disparities and increase public awareness.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the “South Carolina Minority Health Disparities Study Committee.”
  • Priority focus areas: breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer screenings; HIV/AIDS; adult and child immunizations; and cardiovascular disease.
  • Tasks for the committee:
    • Establish measurable outcomes to reduce disparities in the listed priority areas.
    • Direct the Department of Public Health (DPH) to enhance existing data tools to enable a statewide assessment of risk behaviors tied to those priority areas, and where feasible, allow comparisons with national data.
    • Examine opportunities to improve public awareness, education, research, and coordination related to minority health disparities.
    • Consider access and transportation barriers that contribute to disparities.
    • Make recommendations to close gaps in outcomes and increase public understanding of racial/ethnic health disparities.
  • Membership:
    • 3 members of the House appointed by the Speaker.
    • 3 members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.
    • Director of DPH (or designee).
    • Director of the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health (or designee).
    • Director of the South Carolina Hospital Association (or designee).
  • Administrative details:
    • Vacancies filled by the same appointing authority that made the original appointment.
    • Members serve without per diem, mileage, or other compensation.
    • Staffing to be provided by the Senate Medical Affairs Committee and the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.
    • Takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Who is affected / potential impact

  • State agencies (DPH, Institute of Medicine & Public Health, Hospital Association) will participate and may need to expand data collection/analysis capacity.
  • Legislative appointees and committee staff will devote time to study, hearings, and recommendations.
  • If the committee issues recommendations, potential downstream effects include policy or budget proposals aimed at improving screening rates, immunization coverage, access to care, transportation solutions, public education, and data collection for minority populations.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The text does not specify a reporting deadline or sunset for the committee; implementation is effective upon the Governor’s approval.
  • Staffing and appointment roles are defined; no compensation will be paid to members.

Recommendation
- Confirm which jurisdiction (state) and final bill text the legislature will consider, since an unrelated Massachusetts bill text was also included in the materials.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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