All Roll Calls
Yes: 154 • No: 2
South CarolinaS 0453126th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 15, TITLE 40 SO AS TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR THE PRACTICE OF TELEDENTISTRY IN THIS STATE, TO OUTLINE UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS RELATED TO TELEDENTISTRY.
Sponsored By: Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Teledentistry
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Ads must warn about in-person exam
Beginning May 19, 2026, ads for certain teledentistry services must include a clear note to get an in-person exam first. This applies to things like digital scans or impressions, dentures and bridges, placing or adjusting appliances, and correcting teeth or jaw problems. The warning helps prevent harm before starting remote treatment.
Patient rights protected in contracts
Beginning May 19, 2026, providers cannot make you sign away your rights to complain or sue about teledentistry care. You keep the right to file complaints, report to the government, join class actions, and seek legal remedies. Binding arbitration cannot be required as a condition of care.
Consent and identity checks for teledentistry
Beginning May 19, 2026, providers must confirm your identity and where you are before a remote visit. If a minor cannot legally consent, a parent or guardian must be present. The provider must get your written informed consent and add it to your record. The consent must explain the services and limits, list provider details (name, license number, phone, and address), and say what to do if tech fails or an emergency happens. If you ask, the clinic must share proof of the provider’s identity and credentials.
Definitions and Board teledentistry rules
Beginning May 19, 2026, state law defines key teledentistry terms like distant site, originating site, emergent care, and current x-rays. The State Board must also write rules to run and enforce teledentistry. These steps set common standards and reduce confusion.
Safety and accountability for teledentistry
Beginning May 19, 2026, you cannot be treated based only on an online questionnaire. Remote care must be evidence-based; experimental care is not allowed. Providers cannot delegate tasks by tele if the law requires in-person dentist supervision or if the task is outside a worker’s legal scope. A dentist of record must oversee your teledentistry care and is mainly responsible for treatment, except in emergencies. In emergencies or when acute care is needed, providers must refer you to an ER or another acute-care clinician.
Teledentistry usually needs in-person exam
Beginning May 19, 2026, teledentistry care generally requires a real patient–dentist relationship. The dentist reviews your records and does an in-person exam for diagnosis or treatment planning. The dentist also expects to see you in person for regular follow-up. There are narrow exceptions: emergencies, services through a public health program, and first-time orthodontic screening. Any remote orthodontic diagnosis must be confirmed in person with current x-rays before you start using an appliance.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/12/2026
(Teledentistry)Passage of Bill
Yes: 110 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
(Teledentistry)2nd Reading
Yes: 44 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date 05/19/26
6/5/2026legislatureAct No. 210
6/2/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/19/2026GovernorRatified R 139
5/14/2026legislatureConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
5/13/2026HouseRoll call Yeas-110 Nays-2
5/12/2026HouseRead second time
5/12/2026HouseDebate adjourned
5/7/2026HouseScrivener's error corrected
5/6/2026legislatureCommittee report: Favorable Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
5/5/2026HouseReferred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
2/18/2026HouseIntroduced and read first time
2/18/2026HouseRead third time and sent to House
2/17/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-44 Nays-0
2/12/2026SenateRead second time
2/12/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable Medical Affairs
2/5/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Medical Affairs
3/13/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
3/13/2025Senate
Bill Text
Introduced
Related Bills
S 0623, AN ACT TO EXEMPT GEORGETOWN COUNTY FROM CERTAIN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS AND TO ALLOW THE COUNTY TO INSTEAD ENFORCE AE STANDARDS IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY'S FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE.
Georgetown County Building Requirements
S 0586, AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 172 OF 1995, RELATING TO THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE SHALL RECEIVE NINETY DOLLARS FOR EACH MEETING AT WHICH HE IS IN ATTENDANCE AND THAT THE CHAIRMAN SHALL RECEIVE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH PAYMENTS SHALL NOT OCCUR MORE THAN EIGHTEEN TIMES EACH FISCAL YEAR.
Kershaw County Transportation Committee
H 5653, AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 843 OF 1952, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE METHOD BY WHICH PERSONS FILE TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD, THE MANNER IN WHICH BOARD ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH VACANCIES ON THE BOARD ARE FILLED; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
Lee County School District Board of Trustees
S 1062, A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO DETERMINATION OF RATES OF TUITION AND FEES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5443, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
JR to Approve Reg. Doc. No. 5443
S 0779, A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL RECEIVE A MONTHLY LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ALLOCATION OF LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS BETWEEN MEMBERS WHOSE SEATS WERE VACATED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 AND THE MEMBERS ELECTED TO FILL THE VACANCY; AND TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE SEATS WERE VACATED DUE TO THE MEMBER BEING CONVICTED OF OR PLEADING GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDERE TO A FELONY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO A LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE PAYMENT PURSUANT TO THIS JOINT RESOLUTION.
Legislative Expense Allowance
H 5261, A JOINT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 3, TITLE 61 TO MAY 1, 2026.
Alcohol Server Training