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. This new department will be structured 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 accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also amends various sections of the South Carolina Code to reflect this new structure, including the removal of references to the previous departments and the establishment of the new department.

Additionally, the bill addresses public health emergencies by detailing the powers of the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) during such events, including the ability to request assistance from the South Carolina National Guard and the authority to isolate or quarantine individuals exposed to contagious diseases. Key amendments include a reduction in the time frame for DHEC to file a petition for court authorization from ten days to five days and the requirement for a hearing within five days of filing. The bill also introduces provisions for the appointment of emergency health personnel, waiving licensing requirements during public health emergencies, and ensuring legal representation for individuals affected by isolation or quarantine orders. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the coordination of services for individuals with disabilities and mental health needs while streamlining public health emergency procedures.

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