SC H5319

Adds Article 9 to Chapter 61, Title 44 of the South Carolina Code establishing confidentiality protections for continuous quality improvement (CQI) programs conducted by prehospital clinicians including EMTs, paramedics, and firefighters providing emergency medical care

Makes all CQI activities, records, reports, data, and proceedings privileged and confidential, exempt from public disclosure under the state Freedom of Information Act, and inadmissible as evidence in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings

Protections specifically cover peer review processes, incident debriefings, morbidity and mortality reviews, case studies, training sessions, performance evaluations related to clinical care, and hiring/credentialing documentation

Exempts from protection any information available from original sources outside CQI activities and allows voluntary disclosure by providers or participants unless otherwise prohibited by law

Grants immunity from civil and criminal liability to CQI participants acting in good faith, except for willful misconduct or gross negligence, with penalties for unauthorized disclosure under existing Section 44-61-160