Nutt Act - Long-Term Care Residents' Visitor Rights During Emergencies
Summary
South Carolina enacted the Senator Roger A. Nutt Act, amending Section 44-81-40 of the South Carolina Code to grant long-term care facility residents the right to designate up to three visitors who may access the facility during declared states of emergency or public health emergencies when access would otherwise be limited or prohibited. The bill passed with unanimous votes in both chambers (Senate 43-0, House 110-0).
What changed
The Nutt Act adds a new provision to South Carolina Section 44-81-40 establishing that long-term care facility residents may designate up to three individuals who are permitted to visit the resident when facility access is limited or prohibited due to a declared state of emergency arising from a disaster or public health emergency. This law enacts the 'Senator Roger A. Nutt Act' into the South Carolina Code.
Long-term care facilities in South Carolina will need to revise their visitor policies, emergency protocols, and admission agreements to accommodate this new resident right. Facilities must establish procedures for residents to designate their three permitted visitors and ensure staff can implement these designations during declared emergencies. State health regulators may update inspection standards to assess compliance with this new requirement.
What to do next
- Update facility policies and procedures to allow residents to designate up to three emergency contact visitors
- Establish a system for residents to document their designated visitors in accordance with the new requirements
- Train staff on implementing visitor designation protocols during declared emergencies
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / South Carolina / S0146 Signed by Governor S0146 S Signed by Governor 2026-04-07
Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Enacting The "senator Roger A. Nutt Act" By Amending Section 44-81-40, Relating To Rights Of Residents Of Long-term Care Facilities, So As To Provide That Residents May Designate Up To Three People Who Are Permitted To Visit The Resident In The Event That Access To The Facility Is Limited Or Prohibited Due To A Declared State Of Emergency Arising From A Disaster Or Public Health Emergency. - Ratified Title
Bill Details
State South Carolina
Session 126th General Assembly
Chamber Senate
Official Source www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnu...
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Roger Nutt (Sen - R) Thomas Corbin (Sen - R) Ronnie Cromer (Sen - R) Margie Matthews (Sen - D) Shane Martin (Sen - R) Jeff Zell (Sen - R) Thomas Alexander (Sen - R) Overture Walker (Sen - D) Joshua Kimbrell (Sen - R)
Action History
2026-04-07 Signed By Governor 2026-04-01 Ratified R 119 2026-04-01 S Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-0 2026-04-01 S Concurred in House amendment and enrolled 2026-03-27 H Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments 2026-03-26 H Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day 2026-03-26 H Roll call Yeas-110 Nays-0 2026-03-26 H Read second time 2026-03-26 H Amended 2026-03-25 H Committee report: Favorable with amendment Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs 2025-04-30 H Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs 2025-04-30 H Introduced and read first time 2025-04-29 S Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0 2025-04-29 S Read third time and sent to House 2025-04-29 S Amended 2025-04-29 S Committee Amendment Adopted 2025-04-24 S Read second time 2025-04-18 Scrivener's error corrected 2025-04-15 S Committee report: Favorable with amendment Medical Affairs 2025-01-14 S Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs 2025-01-14 S Introduced and read first time 2024-12-11 S Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs 2024-12-11 S Prefiled
Votes
2025-04-29 Senate: 3rd Reading Yea: 43 Nay: 0 2026-03-26 House: Passage Of Bill Yea: 110 Nay: 0 2026-04-01 Senate: To Concur Yea: 42 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2024-12-11 S Medical Affairs 2025-04-30 H Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
Bill Text Versions
2024-12-12 Introduced 2025-04-15 Comm Sub 2025-04-18 Comm Sub 2025-04-29 Introduced 2026-03-25 Comm Sub 2026-03-25 Comm Sub 2026-03-26 Amended Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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