Every year, there are new laws passed. Since these changes and updates happen so often, it can be difficult to keep up. When you have other things going on in your life, you likely aren’t paying attention to every General Assembly, or to every upcoming bill and whether or not it’s passed.
It’s understandable that you may not have heard about these changes, but they’re important to know so that you can ensure you’re always acting within the law. That’s why we’ve collected some of the most important law changes coming in the new year—we know how hard it can be to follow along and understand the law.
At The Solomon Law Group, we are here for the people of South Carolina. That being said, let’s look at South Carolina law changes coming in 2022.
SC Compassionate Care Act
The South Carolina Compassionate Care Act takes steps to allow residents who are ill and in pain to use medicinal marijuana to treat their symptoms without state-level criminal penalties. This is not the legalization of marijuana for recreational use—it is in the progress of legalizing only the medicinal and prescription use of marijuana.
The act cites evidence that cannabis use is effective as a treatment for certain medical conditions that are severe in nature. Some of these conditions are chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and patients with nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. It can also be helpful for people with Crohn’s disease, patients with autism, and many other conditions that affect daily life.
The use of medical marijuana for these patients could reduce the number of patients on opioids and improve the overall health of these patients. There are many regulations that would come with the passing of this act.
While this act has not yet been passed, it is currently in committee and could be passed in the new year.
Use of the Right Lane
Although this bill was passed mid-2021 and was effective immediately, it’s still one that you may not have heard about and weren’t expecting in the new year. This new law is Section 56-5-1885, and requires drivers to stay in the right lane when they are driving on a road with more than one lane.
This means that the left lane can only be used when you are passing someone, or when you need to get into the far left lane to pass an emergency vehicle or other vehicle stopped on the right side of the road. In the case of emergency vehicles stopped on the right, you should move to the left lane and slow down.
This law also helps when emergency vehicles are en route to help someone. When you stay in the right lane, emergency vehicles can more easily get through traffic to get to their destination.
Even though it was passed the previous year, there was a 90-day period after passing where you could only get a warning ticket if you violated this new law. However, after that period, and in 2022, you can receive a fine of no more than 25 dollars. The violation won’t appear on your driving record and can’t be used as evidence in an accident because it’s not necessarily considered negligence.
As mentioned above, this law is already in effect.
Caps on Insulin Costs
HB 4245 creates a cap on the price of insulin. In this bill, “prescription insulin drug” is defined as any prescription drug containing insulin that is used to treat diabetes and has been prescribed as medically necessary for the patient. Though insulin is a life-saving, necessary prescription drug for people with diabetes and other medical needs, the price constantly rises. In some cases, it has become a drug that patients can’t afford even though they need it to live.
This bill puts a cap on that cost through the person’s insurance. Insurers cannot exceed a cost of 100 dollars per 30-day supply of prescription insulin, regardless of insulin type. This means that the insurance company must cover the price of a monthly insulin prescription to keep the price the patient pays to 100 dollars or less.
This bill was passed and took effect June of 2021, but it is still important to know going into 2022. When you need insulin, the price is a major factor for you, and knowledge of this bill will hopefully help keep you able to buy your medication.
The Solomon Law Group Is Here for You
You shouldn’t be left in the dark in the new year—it can be hard to keep up with the ever-changing laws and legislature happening in our state. Even when you do keep up, the language can be hard to understand. That’s why our office is here to help you.
The Solomon Law Group understands. We have experience with changing laws and know that these changes can be confusing. Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers are here to help you understand your rights and protect them when you’ve been a victim of someone else’s negligence.
Reach out to our office today if you have questions regarding state law or a potential case.
