S 161 — Non-Opioid Pain Management
Last action — Committee report: Favorable with amendment Medical Affairs
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 14, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.
Odds of enactment
Low chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.
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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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In Committee
Current position in the legislative process.
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3 sponsors
3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Summary
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 20 TO TITLE 44, CHAPTER 53, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADOPTION OF A STATE PREFERRED DRUG LIST; PROHIBIT PREFERENCING COVERAGE OF AN OPIOID PRESCRIPTION TREATMENT OVER NON-OPIOID TREATMENT; PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF AN EDUCATIONAL PAMPHLET BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH REGARDING NON-OPIOID ALTERNATIVES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAIN; PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR PRACTITIONERS OFFERING NON-OPIOID TREATMENT; AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
20 added · 52 removedPlain-language change summary
The amended version of Bill S 161 introduces a state preferred drug list and emphasizes non-opioid treatment options by prohibiting the favoritism of opioid prescriptions over non-opioid alternatives. It also mandates the Department of Public Health to create and post an educational pamphlet about non-opioid pain management options on its website by September 30, 2025. The changes aim to promote safer pain management practices and provide better resources for both healthcare practitioners and patients, addressing the ongoing concerns related to opioid use.
2025-2026 Bill 161 Text of Previous Version (Mar.(Jan.
11,14, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 161Indicates 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 11, 2025TO AMEND S.THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE TO TITLE 44, CHAPTER 53, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADOPTION OF A STATE PREFERRED DRUG LIST;
161 Introduced by Senators Verdin, Garrett and Leber S.
Printed 3/11/25--S.
Read the first time January 14, 2025 ________ The committee on Senate Medical Affairs To whom was referred a Bill (S.
161) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Article 20 to Title 44, Chapter 53, so as to provide for the adoption of a state preferred drug list;
prohibit, 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 deleting Section 44-53-2010 and 44-53-2020 from the bill.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 44-53-2040(3) and inserting:
(3) provide offer the patient with the educational pamphlet developed by the department pursuant to Section 44-53-2030(A) and document the non-opioid alternatives considered in the patient's record.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
DANIEL VERDIN for Committee.
_______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 20 TO TITLE 44, CHAPTER 53, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADOPTION OF A STATE PREFERRED DRUG LIST;
----XX---- This web page was last updated on MarchJanuary 11,14, 2025 at 06:2612:34 PM
Action History
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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 Billy Garrett · Primary
- Senator Matthew W. "Matt" Leber · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 167 not signed on
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (167)
167 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 167 →"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.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 161 do?
- A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 20 TO TITLE 44, CHAPTER 53, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADOPTION OF A STATE PREFERRED DRUG LIST; PROHIBIT PREFERENCING COVERAGE OF AN OPIOID PRESCRIPTION TREATMENT OVER NON-OPIOID TREATMENT; PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF AN EDUCATIONAL PAMPHLET BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH REGARDING NON-OPIOID ALTERNATIVES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAIN; PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR PRACTITIONERS OFFERING NON-OPIOID TREATMENT; AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS.
- Who sponsors S 161?
- S 161 is sponsored by Senator Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III, Senator Billy Garrett, and Senator Matthew W. "Matt" Leber.
- What is the current status of S 161?
- This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 14, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track S 161?
- Track S 161 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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