SC S0002

Creates the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities as a new executive branch agency, consolidating three existing departments: the Department of Mental Health, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, and Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services

Establishes three component offices within the new department: the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the Office of Substance Use Services, each headed by an office director appointed by the department director

Eliminates the South Carolina Mental Health Commission and the South Carolina Commission on Disabilities and Special Needs, transferring their policy-making authority to the new department director who is appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation

Requires the department to consolidate administrative services (financial, HR, budget, IT) across component offices and implement collaboration technology for coordinating care and sharing data among authorized users

Mandates collaboration between multiple state agencies to develop a comprehensive plan ensuring services for South Carolinians with disabilities are provided in community settings rather than institutions, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Olmstead decision