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Bill > S0002


SC S0002

SC S0002
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities


summary

Introduced
01/14/2025
In Committee
03/05/2025
Crossed Over
02/27/2025
Passed
04/16/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/07/2025

Introduced Session

126th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Chapter 12 To Title 44 So As To Establish The Department Of Behavioral Health And Developmental Disabilities Comprised Of The Office Of Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, The Office Of Mental Health, And The Office Of Substance Use Services, And To Provide For The Department's Powers, Duties, And Authority; By Amending Section 1-30-10, Relating To Departments Of State Government, So As To Add The Department Of Behavioral Health And Developmental Disabilities, And To Remove The Department Of Alcohol And Other Drug Abuse Services, The Department Of Disabilities And Special Needs, And The Department Of Mental Health; By Amending Section 8-17-370, Relating To Exemptions From The State Employee Grievance Procedure, So As To Exempt The Director Of The Department Of Behavioral Health And Developmental Disabilities And Certain Other Department Staff From The State Employee Grievance Procedure; By Amending Sections 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, And 44-20-255, All Relating To The Department Of Disabilities And Special Needs, So As To Make Conforming Changes To Include Definition Revisions, Elimination Of The Department's Commission, Renaming The Department As The Office Of Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities Within The Department Of Behavioral Health And Developmental Disabilities, And Reassignment Of The Commission's Duties; By Amending Sections 44-49-10 And 44-49-20, Both Relating To The Department Of Alcohol And Other Drug Abuse Services, So As To Make Conforming Changes By Renaming The Department As The Office Of Substance Use Services Within The Department Of Behavioral Health And Developmental Disabilities; By Amending Sections 44-9-10, 44-9-20, And 44-9-30, All Relating To Department Of Mental Health, So As To Make Conforming Changes To Include Renaming The Department As The Office Of Mental Health Within The Department Of Behavioral Health And Developmental Disabilities, Establishing Qualifications For The Office Director, And Eliminating The Department Of Mental Health's Commission And Reassigning The Commission's Duties; By Adding Section 1-30-150 So As To Require Certain State Agencies To Develop And Execute A Plan To Ensure Services And Support Are Provided, To The Greatest Extent Possible, To Individuals With Disabilities In The Community, In Accordance With Federal Law, And To Provide For The Appointment Of An Administrator Of Community Living Integration And A Health Planning Advisory Committee; By Amending Section 44-21-80, Relating To Regional Tertiary Level Developmental Evaluation Centers, So As To Require That The Centers Provide Neurodevelopmental Evaluation And Limited Treatment Services For Individuals Up To Twenty-one Years Of Age Who Have Certain Suspected Or Diagnosed Neurodevelopmental Disorders; By Repealing Sections 44-9-40 And 44-9-50 Relating To The Department Of Mental Healh; And For Other Purposes. - Ratified Title

AI Summary

This bill establishes the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) as a new state agency that consolidates three existing departments: the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, the Department of Mental Health, and the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. The new department will be organized into three component offices: the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Mental Health, and the Office of Substance Use Services. The department will be led by a director appointed by the Governor, with each component office headed by an office director appointed by the department director. The bill outlines the director's responsibilities, which include developing a comprehensive service plan, consolidating administrative services, ensuring data sharing, and procuring collaborative technology to improve coordination across the offices. The legislation also transfers all existing personnel, assets, liabilities, and responsibilities from the previous departments to the new DBHDD, with minimal disruption to current operations. The bill aims to improve service delivery, reduce administrative redundancy, and create a more integrated approach to behavioral health and developmental disability services in South Carolina, while maintaining the specialized focus of each component office.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (8)

Last Action

Act No. 3 (on 05/07/2025)

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