South Carolina House Bill H4828

South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/26
• Passed: 1/14/26

Caption

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE COLT SHOPE, A NURSE MANAGER AT PRISMA HEALTH BAPTIST EASLEY HOSPITAL, FOR INTRODUCING BAPTIST EASLEY'S NEW TRADITION TO HONOR AMERICAN VETERANS IN END-OF-LIFE CARE.

Summary

H4828 is a House resolution recognizing and congratulating Colt Shope, a nurse manager at Prisma Health Baptist Easley Hospital, for creating a new hospital tradition to honor American veterans receiving end-of-life care. The resolution explains that Shope was inspired by a prior veteran patient and by a colleague’s suggestion to do something meaningful for patients who served in the military. Since February 2025, staff at Baptist Easley have draped an American flag over the beds of veterans in their final days as a gesture of respect and gratitude. The resolution highlights the emotional impact of the practice on patients, families, and hospital staff, including the first honoree, a Vietnam War veteran whose wife felt he had not received enough recognition after returning from war. It also notes that the tradition is new to Prisma Health Baptist Easley Hospital and may be adopted by other Prisma Health facilities in the future. The measure is commemorative only and does not create or amend any statutory law.

Impact

H4828 does not change South Carolina law, create a new program, or appropriate funds. Its effect is limited to a formal legislative commendation, with the House publicly honoring Colt Shope and acknowledging the hospital’s veteran-recognition practice. Because it is a resolution, it has no direct legal impact on state statutes, agencies, or private parties beyond the symbolic recognition it provides.

Sentiment

The sentiment around the resolution is strongly positive and appreciative. The bill text frames the hospital tradition as a compassionate, meaningful way to honor veterans and emphasizes the emotional resonance of the gesture for families and staff. There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, and no evidence of opposition; the available context suggests broad goodwill toward the resolution’s purpose.

Contention

There is no substantive contention reflected in the bill text, voting history, or committee materials provided. The only potentially debatable aspect is that the resolution celebrates a symbolic hospital practice rather than addressing a policy or funding issue, but no objections are documented. The measure appears to have been introduced as a straightforward recognition of an individual and a veteran-honoring tradition.