The bill proposes the creation of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities in South Carolina, which will consolidate the functions of the existing Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, and the Department of Mental Health. This new department will be organized into three offices: the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Mental Health, and the Office of Substance Abuse Services. The bill outlines the powers and responsibilities of the department and its director, including the development of a comprehensive service plan to enhance community-based support for individuals with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also specifies that the director and certain employees will be exempt from the state employee grievance procedure and establishes a health planning advisory committee to guide community integration goals.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the South Carolina Code to reflect the new department's structure, including the establishment of the South Carolina Commission on Disabilities and Special Needs Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, which will oversee the department's operations. It clarifies the authority of the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, now including divisions for Intellectual Disability, Autism, and Head and Spinal Cord Injuries. The bill also addresses public health emergencies by detailing the powers of the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the procedures for isolation and quarantine, including penalties for non-compliance and protections for employees. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline services and improve the delivery of support for individuals with behavioral health and developmental disabilities while enhancing public health safety and response capabilities during emergencies.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
01/15/2025: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
01/15/2025-A: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
01/21/2025: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
02/20/2025: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
02/25/2025: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
02/26/2025: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
02/27/2025: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
04/03/2025: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
04/08/2025: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
04/09/2025: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40
Latest Version: 1-30-10, 8-17-370, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-255, 44-49-10, 44-49-20, 44-9-10, 44-9-20, 44-9-30, 1-3-420, 25-1-440, 40-43-86, 44-1-100, 44-4-130, 44-4-510, 44-1-140, 44-4-520, 44-4-530, 44-4-540, 44-4-570, 44-9-40