South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 88 - DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS
Article 8 - RESEARCH INVOLVING PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES
Section 88-810 - Review and Approval of Research Proposals

(1) The Department Research Review Committee (the Committee) shall be designated and chaired by the State Director or a designee. The Committee shall include executive staff and others as appointed by the chairperson. The Committee retains authority for final approval for research involving persons eligible for services from the Department.

(2) The Committee will have at least three (3) members with varying backgrounds to promote the complete and appropriate review of proposed activities.

(3) The Committee shall review all research proposals to ascertain the acceptability of the proposed research in terms of departmental commitments and regulations, applicable laws, research participant protections and standards of professional conduct and practice. A copy of the proposal approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) appropriate to the employer of the investigator is required for the proposal to be reviewed by the Committee to include procedures for obtaining informed consent, obtaining more information and exiting the study. A local Human Rights Committee shall review any research proposals that involve personal contact, observation, or interaction prior to submission to the Committee to ensure that the rights and welfare of the research participants are protected; that informed consent is obtained by adequate and appropriate methods; that individuals served are not used as captive sources of research; that the research is in no way detrimental to their welfare, and are consistent with federal regulation 45 CFR 46 (6/18/91), Protection of Human Subjects.

(4) Only research proposals approved by the Committee shall be implemented and for the designated period included in the issued written approval.