(A) The Department of Health and Environmental Control is designated as the agency of the State which is responsible for the control and regulation of radiation sources but, notwithstanding anything in this article, does not have the power to regulate, license, or control nuclear reactors of facilities or operations incident to them in duplication of an activity of the federal government which has not been discontinued by agreement pursuant to Section 13-7-60.

(B) The department shall employ, compensate, and prescribe the powers and duties of individuals necessary to carry out the provisions of this article as it pertains to the department. The department shall establish a technical advisory council to assist it in performing its specialized responsibilities.

(C) There is established a Technical Advisory Radiation Control Council responsible and reporting to the department which shall advise the department on matters pertaining to ionizing and nonionizing radiation and standards and regulations to be adopted, modified, promulgated, or repealed by the department. No standards or regulations may be adopted, modified, promulgated, or repealed by the department except after consultation with the council. The council consists of six members and one ex officio member from the department, designated by the department or its designated agent. The six members of the council must be appointed by the Governor as follows: one member from the South Carolina Medical Association, one member from the South Carolina Dental Association, one member from the South Carolina Radiological Society, one member from the South Carolina Chiropractic Association, one member having recognized knowledge in the field of radiation and its biological effects from the Associated Industries of South Carolina, and one member from the State at large having recognized knowledge in the field of radiation and its biological effects. The terms of office of the members first appointed are as follows: The member from the South Carolina Medical Association must be appointed for one year, the members from the South Carolina Dental Association and the South Carolina Radiological Society must be appointed for two years, and the other three members must be appointed for three years. The successors must be appointed for three years each.

(D) When on business of the council, members are allowed the usual mileage, per diem, and subsistence as provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions. The council shall meet at least as frequently as semiannually or at call of the chairman. Minutes of meetings of the council must be included in the minutes of the meeting of the department next occurring after the preparation of the minutes.

(E) A consulting radiation physicist, certified by the American Board of Radiology, must be available to the Advisory Council at its regular meetings and on request. The consulting physicist must be paid on a per diem basis from budgeted funds.

(F) The department in connection with the control and regulation of radiation sources, in addition to its other duties as imposed by law shall:

(1) develop and conduct programs for evaluation of hazards associated with the use of radiation sources;

(2) develop and conduct programs for the control, surveillance, and regulation of radiation sources, not inconsistent with those prescribed by the United States Atomic Energy Commission, and with due regard for controls and regulations in effect in other states;

(3) formulate, adopt, promulgate, and repeal regulations relating to the control of ionizing and nonionizing radiation;

(4) issue orders or modifications of them as may be necessary in connection with proceedings under this article;

(5) advise the Governor, the legislature, and relevant state agencies with regard to the status of radiation control and consult and cooperate with the various departments, agencies, and political subdivisions of the State, the federal government, other states, and interstate agencies and with public and private groups concerned with the control of radiation sources and hazards;

(6) accept and administer loans, grants, or other funds or gifts, conditional or otherwise, in furtherance of its functions, from the federal government and from other sources, public or private;

(7) encourage, participate in, or conduct studies, investigations, training, and demonstrations relating to control of radiation sources;

(8) collect and disseminate information relating to control of radiation sources;

(9) provide by regulation for the licensing or registration of radiation sources or devices or equipment utilizing these sources. These regulations must provide for amendment, suspension, or revocation of licenses;

(10) promulgate and repeal regulations pertaining to the qualifications of operators applying ionizing or nonionizing radiation to humans.

(G) No person may possess, use, or transfer a source of ionizing or nonionizing radiation unless registered, licensed, or exempted by the department.

(H) The department may exempt certain radiation sources or kinds of uses or users from the licensing or regulation requirements set forth in this section when the department makes a finding that the exemption of these radiation sources or kinds of uses or users will not constitute a significant risk to the health of the public.

(I) The department or its authorized representatives may enter at all reasonable times upon private or public property for the purpose of determining whether or not there is compliance with or violation of the provisions of this article and regulations promulgated under it. A report of investigation or inspection or information concerning trade secrets or secret industrial processes obtained under this article must not be disclosed or opened to public inspection except as necessary for the performance of the functions of the department. The department shall require each person who possesses or uses a radiation source to maintain records relating to its receipt, storage, transfer, or disposal and other records the department may require, subject to exemptions as may be provided by regulations. Copies of these records must be submitted to the department on written request. The department shall require each person who possesses or uses a radiation source to maintain appropriate records showing the radiation exposure of all individuals for whom personnel monitoring is required by the regulations of the department. Copies of these records and those required to be kept must be submitted to the department on written request.

(J) A person possessing or using a radiation source shall furnish to each employee for whom personnel monitoring is required, or to the employee's physician, a copy of the employee's personal record at times the department by regulation may prescribe.

(K) Opportunity for public hearing must be provided by the department for the issuance of a modification of regulations; the granting, suspending, revoking, or amending a license; and determining compliance with or granting exceptions from regulations of the department. A final order entered in a proceeding is subject to judicial review.

(L) Whenever, in the judgment of the department, a person has engaged in or is about to engage in acts or practices which constitute a violation of a provision of this article or a regulation or an order issued under it, the department, or, at the request of the department, the Attorney General may make application to the court of common pleas for an order enjoining these acts or practices, or for an order directing compliance. Upon a showing by the department that the person has engaged in or is about to engage in these acts or practices, a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order may be granted.

(M) In an emergency the department may impound sources of ionizing or nonionizing radiation in the possession of a person who is not equipped to comply with or fails to comply with the provisions of the article or the regulations.

(N) The department, subject to the approval of the Governor, may enter into agreements with the federal government or other state or interstate agencies for the purpose of performing on a cooperative basis inspections or other functions relating to the control of sources of ionizing or nonionizing radiation. The department may institute training programs for the purpose of qualifying personnel to carry out the provisions of this article.

(O) Ordinances, resolutions, or regulations in effect now or in the future of the governing body of an agency or political subdivision of the State relating to radiation sources are not superseded by this article if the ordinances or regulations are and continue to be consistent with the provisions of this article, amendments to it, and regulations under it.

(P) No person may apply ionizing or nonionizing radiation to humans unless certified or exempted by the department.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 1-400.14; 1967 (55) 305; 1970 (56) 2082; 1986 Act No. 449, Sections 1, 2, eff May 26, 1986; 1990 Act No. 552, Section 2, eff June 6, 1990.