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Bill

S 819

Nursing Homes TB Tests

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Danny Verdin

Requires TB screening for nursing home applicants with resident contact, using CDC-aligned methods and follow-up testing as needed.

Signed By Governor
0
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Bill Summary · S 819

Summary of Bill S. 819 (Session 2025-2026) – Nursing Homes TB Tests (South Carolina)

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a formal procedure requiring tuberculosis (TB) testing for applicants and new employees who will have resident contact at nursing homes and community residential care facilities.
  • Align testing procedures with CDC guidelines and definitions of authorized healthcare providers and TB testing methods.

Key provisions

Definitions (Section 44-31-45(A))

  • Authorized healthcare provider: Includes physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or registered nurse acting under written standing orders or a physician-approved protocol.
  • Blood assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Includes interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) or other FDA-approved blood tests for TB infection.

TB testing requirements for applicants (Section 44-31-45(B))

  1. Pre-employment risk assessment: Facilities must annually perform a TB risk assessment to classify the facility as high, medium, or low risk and determine appropriate screening measures, in line with CDC guidelines.
  2. Documentation from an authorized provider: Before an applicant with resident contact starts work, the facility must obtain a signed declaration from an authorized provider that the applicant:
    • Has a negative TB screening test within the past 3 months (either:
      • a tuberculin skin test (TST) or
      • a blood assay for TB infection (IGRA), or
    • or documentation of a negative TB screening test within the previous 12 months, and
    • exhibits no signs or symptoms of active TB disease.
  3. Work can begin following documentation, with conditions:
    • If the negative test was a TST, the facility must administer and read a second-step TST within the first 14 days of resident contact.
    • If a negative blood assay was used within 3 months, no further testing is required.
    • If the negative blood assay was more than 3 months prior, a single TST or a single blood assay may be given within the first 14 days to establish baseline.

Handling of positive or symptomatic cases (Section 44-31-45(C))

  • Applicants with a prior positive test, a newly positive test, or symptoms suggestive of TB (e.g., cough, weight loss, night sweats, fever) must undergo an immediate chest radiograph to rule out active TB disease.
  • If the chest radiograph cannot exclude active TB, the applicant must be excluded from work until cleared by the department’s TB control program.
  • The applicant must be evaluated for treatment of active TB or latent TB infection per departmental and CDC guidelines.

Who is affected

  • Employers: Nursing homes and community residential care facilities with resident contact.
  • Applicants and new employees: Individuals seeking employment who will interact with residents.
  • Authorized healthcare providers: Physicians, NPs, PAs, or RNs acting under approved protocols who perform required TB screenings and provide documentation.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill adds an annual TB risk assessment for facilities to determine screening needs (high/medium/low risk), per CDC guidelines.
  • Documentation from an authorized provider must be obtained before residency contact begins.
  • If a TST is used, a second test must be completed within 14 days of resident contact.
  • If a blood-based TB test (IGRA) is used and obtained within 3 months, no further testing is required; if older than 3 months, a baseline TST or IGRA is allowed within 14 days.
  • Positive tests or TB symptoms trigger immediate radiography and potential exclusion from work until clearance, with treatment considerations per guidelines.

Effective date

  • This act becomes effective upon approval by the Governor.

Additional notes

  • The bill includes a sponsor (Co-sponsor: Danny Verdin) and has progressed through committee with amendments, indicating a favorable stance in committee and floor action milestones.

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

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