S 2 — Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Last action — Act No. 3
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 11, 2024. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Henry McMaster (Republican) on April 28, 2025.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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8 sponsors
8 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 3 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Summary
AN ACT TO 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
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
4 added · 4 removed4 line(s) added, 4 removed.
2025-2026 Bill 2 Text of Previous Version (Jan.(Dec.
15,11, 2025)2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 2Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
BY AMENDING SECTION 8-17-370, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE STATE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, ALL EMPLOYEES WHO REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE DIRECTOR, AND THE DIRECTOR FOR EACH OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE'S COMPONENT OFFICES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE STATE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE;
----XX---- This web page was last updated on JanuaryDecember 15,11, 20252024 at 03:4204:11 PM
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Action History
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Act No. 3
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Effective date 04/28/25
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Signed By Governor
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Ratified R 10
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Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-2
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Concurred in House amendment and enrolled
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Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments
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Roll call Yeas-99 Nays-0
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Read second time
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Amended
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Committee report: Favorable with amendment Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
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Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
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Introduced and read first time
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Read third time and sent to House
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-2
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Read second time
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Committee Amendment Adopted
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Committee report: Favorable with amendment Medical Affairs
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs
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Introduced and read first time
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Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs
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Prefiled
Sponsors
- Jr. Senator Harvey S. Peeler · Primary
- Senator Thomas C. Alexander · Primary
- Senator Tom Davis · Primary
- Senator Billy Garrett · Primary
- Senator Ross Turner · Primary
- Senator Darrell Jackson · Primary
- Senator Ed Sutton · Primary
- Senator Tameika Isaac Devine · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →8 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 162 not signed on · 2 voted No
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (162)
162 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 162 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 40 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 40 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 91% | 5% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (44)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 97 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Democrat | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 98 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| % of votes cast | 80% | 0% | 0% | 20% |
How each member voted (122)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 42 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 42 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 91% | 4% | 0% | 4% |
How each member voted (46)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 2 do?
- AN ACT TO 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
- Who sponsors S 2?
- S 2 is sponsored by Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., Senator Thomas C. Alexander, Senator Tom Davis, Senator Billy Garrett, Senator Ross Turner, Senator Darrell Jackson, Senator Ed Sutton, and Senator Tameika Isaac Devine.
- What is the current status of S 2?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 11, 2024. Enacted.
- Where can I track S 2?
- Track S 2 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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