South Carolina § 1-18-40 - Factors to be considered in evaluating whether occupation should be regulated; limits on recommendation to regulate.

§ 1-18-40. Factors to be considered in evaluating whether occupation should be regulated; limits on recommendation to regulate.

In evaluating whether an occupation should be regulated, the commission shall consider whether:

(1) the unregulated practice of an occupation presents a clear and recognizable danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the public;

(2) the practice of the occupation requires such a specialized skill that the public is not qualified to select a competent practitioner without assurances that he has met minimum qualifications;

(3) the public is or may be effectively protected by other means, such as academic credentials, certification by a nongovernmental entity, or membership in occupational associations;

(4) current laws are ineffective or inadequate to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and whether strengthening the laws would not provide adequate protection to the public;

(5) the practitioner performs a service for others which would qualify for payment of part or all of those services by a third party if the practitioners were to be regulated by the State;

(6) regulation will increase the cost of goods;

(7) regulation will increase or decrease the availability of services to the public;

(8) regulation will assure the competency of practitioners of the occupation;

(9) regulation can be provided through an existing agency or under supervision of presently licensed practitioners.

In determining any recommendation for regulation of an occupation, the commission shall recommend the least extensive and restrictive form of regulation consistent with the public interest. The commission may not recommend any regulation unless necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the public.

HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 572, SECTION 1.