Labor, Commerce and Industry committee recommits hearing‑aid bill and approves social‑work compact, firefighter protections, delivery‑device rules and coastal‑p

At a full meeting of the South Carolina House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, members recommitted House Bill 3162 on hearing‑aid licensing and approved several other bills affecting professional licensure, emergency responders, autonomous delivery devices and coastal permitting.

The committee recommitted House Bill 3162 after Representative Smith said the South Carolina Commission on Hearing Aid Specialists and a private practitioner who could not attend the subcommittee hearing needed an opportunity to offer amendments. “This is an incredible piece of legislation … rather than not affording her the opportunity to be completely heard,” Representative Smith said, and the committee carried a motion to recommit the bill for further committee consideration.

Committee members then advanced a package of bills. The committee approved House Bill 3752 to adopt a social‑work interstate compact that allows social workers to practice across member states. Representative Smith framed the measure as a way to reduce licensing “red tape” and to…