The bill proposes the creation of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities in South Carolina, which will merge 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. It establishes a new departmental structure that includes the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Mental Health, and the Office of Substance Abuse Services. Key amendments include the addition of this new department to the list of state departments, the exemption of its director and certain employees from the state employee grievance procedure, and the redefinition of terms related to disabilities and special needs. The bill also facilitates the transfer of property and responsibilities from the previous departments to ensure a streamlined approach to managing services for individuals with disabilities.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the South Carolina Code to update the governance and responsibilities of departments related to mental health and substance use services. It establishes the South Carolina Commission on Disabilities and Special Needs as part of the new department, focusing on appointing members from each congressional district. The bill clarifies the roles of the commission and the director in policy determination and outlines the authority of the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs over services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, it includes provisions for public health emergency responses, such as isolation and quarantine procedures managed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), while ensuring the rights of individuals are protected. The act will take effect upon approval from the Governor.

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
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