summary
Introduced
01/27/2026
01/27/2026
In Committee
01/27/2026
01/27/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 44-17-410, Relating To Emergency Admissions Of Individuals Suffering From Mental Illness Who Pose A Danger To Themselves Or Others, So As To Make Changes To The Admission And Commitment Process, To Ensure That The Treating Facility Has A Complete Medical History Of These Patients, Including Prior Hospitalizations, To Specify Information That Must Be Included In Reports Of Designated Examiners, And For Other Purposes; By Amending Section 44-17-580, Relating To Individuals With Mental Illness Who Do Not Comply With The Court-ordered Outpatient Treatment, So As To Address Requirements Of Supplemental Or Rule To Show Cause Hearings To Address Noncompliance; And By Adding Section 44-12-70 So As To Require The Department Of Behavioral Health And Developmental Disabilities To Maintain An Integrated Database With Complete Medical Records Of Patients Served At Department Facilities, A Registry Of Orders Of Treatment, And An Inventory Of Available Facility Beds And Waitlists.
AI Summary
This bill aims to improve the process for admitting and treating individuals with mental illness in South Carolina by enhancing information sharing and oversight. It modifies the emergency admission process to ensure that treating facilities receive a complete medical history, including prior hospitalizations, and clarifies the information that designated examiners, who are medical professionals trained to assess mental health patients, must include in their reports to the court. The bill also addresses situations where individuals do not comply with court-ordered outpatient treatment by outlining procedures for supplemental hearings or "rule to show cause" proceedings to address noncompliance. Finally, it requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to maintain an integrated database containing complete medical records of patients, a registry of treatment orders, and an inventory of available facility beds and waitlists, which will be accessible to courts and under specific legal conditions.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Committee on Judiciary (on 01/27/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=5019&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/5019_20260127.htm |
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