SC H3613

Creates the Executive Office of Health and Policy headed by a Governor-appointed Secretary, consolidating five component departments: Health Financing (formerly Health and Human Services), Public Health, Aging, Intellectual and Related Disabilities (formerly Disabilities and Special Needs), and Behavioral Health (merging Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services)

Requires the Secretary to develop a comprehensive State Health Services Plan coordinating services across all component departments, with authority to approve regulations, determine treatment for patients with complex diagnoses involving multiple departments, and consolidate administrative services including IT, HR, finance, and budgeting

Abolishes the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services as a standalone agency, transferring its functions to a new Division on Alcohol and Drug Addiction within the Department of Behavioral Health

Replaces existing governing boards and commissions for the affected agencies with advisory boards appointed by the Secretary, removing independent policy-making authority from these bodies

Component department directors will be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary rather than the Governor, with the Secretary having authority over personnel assignments, budget development, and organizational structure across all departments