Hallway Beds
This legislation amends South Carolina law to permit exceptions to fire and building codes for placing hospital beds in hallways during justified emergencies. This aims to enhance patient care under urgent conditions.
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S 958 — Hallway Beds
Last action — Effective date 05/19/26
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 25, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Henry McMaster (Republican) on May 19, 2026.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
In plain language
The bill allows hospital beds to be placed in hallways during emergencies.
This legislation amends South Carolina law to permit exceptions to fire and building codes for placing hospital beds in hallways during justified emergencies. This aims to enhance patient care under urgent conditions.
What this means for you
- Healthcare: This means hospitals can expand their capacity during emergencies by using hallway space for additional beds.
Summary
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-255 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR FIRE AND BUILDING CODE EXCEPTIONS FOR PLACEMENT OF HOSPITAL BEDS IN HALLWAYS, CORRIDORS, OR OTHER MEANS OF EGRESS DURING JUSTIFIED EMERGENCIES. - RATIFIED TITLE
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
2 added · 43 removedPlain-language change summary
The latest version of Bill S 958 has made a significant change regarding how patient beds can be handled during emergencies. It now allows patient beds to be used in hallways and corridors only under specific emergency situations, as determined by designated emergency department leaders. This change is important because it helps ensure that patient care remains a priority while also allowing hospitals to respond effectively during critical times.
2025-2026 Bill 958 Text of Previous Version (Mar.(Feb.
24,25, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 958Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter Committee ReportA Marchbill 24, 2026TO AMEND S.THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-400 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS RELATING TO THE STATE HEALTH FACILITY LICENSURE ACT;
958 Introduced by Senators Verdin and Alexander S.
Printed 3/24/26--S.
Read the first time February 25, 2026 ________ The committee on Senate Medical Affairs To whom was referred a Bill (S.
958) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 44-7-400 so as to define terms relating to the State Health Facility Licensure Act;
to provide that patient, etc., respectfully Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 44-7-400(B) and inserting:
(B) Patient beds may be used in hallways, corridors, and other means of egress during a justified emergency when the on-site emergency department physiciana designated member of the emergency department leadership team, as provided for in the hospital's written policies and procedures, determines and, within seven calendar days of the start of the justified emergency, documents on a an electronic form developed by the Department of Public Health that:
(1) all other appropriate treatment space in the hospital has been exhausted;
and (2) the health and safety of patients is jeopardized without the use of patient beds in these areas.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 44-7-400(C)(6) and inserting:
(6) the signature of the emergency department physician on sitethe designated member of the emergency department's leadership team at the onset of the justified emergency.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
DANIEL VERDIN for Committee.
_______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-400 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS RELATING TO THE STATE HEALTH FACILITY LICENSURE ACT;
----XX---- This web page was last updated on MarchFebruary 24,25, 2026 at 06:2602:38 PM
Action History
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Effective date 05/19/26
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Act No. 230
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Signed By Governor
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Ratified R 241
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Concurred in House amendment and enrolled
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Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments
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Roll call Yeas-113 Nays-0
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Read second time
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Amended
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Debate adjourned
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Debate adjourned
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Recalled from Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
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Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
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Introduced and read first time
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Read third time and sent to House
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Roll call Ayes-37 Nays-0
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Read second time
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Committee report: Favorable with amendment Medical Affairs
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Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs
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Introduced and read first time
Sponsors
- Senator Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III · Primary
- Senator Thomas C. Alexander · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 168 not signed on
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (168)
168 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 168 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 108 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 112 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| % of votes cast | 91% | 0% | 0% | 9% |
How each member voted (123)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 37 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Total | 37 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| % of votes cast | 80% | 0% | 0% | 20% |
How each member voted (46)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 958 do?
- AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-255 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR FIRE AND BUILDING CODE EXCEPTIONS FOR PLACEMENT OF HOSPITAL BEDS IN HALLWAYS, CORRIDORS, OR OTHER MEANS OF EGRESS DURING JUSTIFIED EMERGENCIES. - RATIFIED TITLE
- Who sponsors S 958?
- S 958 is sponsored by Senator Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III and Senator Thomas C. Alexander.
- What is the current status of S 958?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 25, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track S 958?
- Track S 958 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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