04/18/2025
📢 Big News: S.2 Has Passed in South Carolina!
This is a major win for improving services for people with disabilities!
What Does S.2 Do?
The bill creates a new state agency: the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. This new department brings together:
•The Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (replacing the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs)
•The Office of Mental Health (replacing the Department of Mental Health)
•The Office of Substance Abuse Services (replacing the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services)
This reorganization will streamline services, improve coordination, and make it easier for people to get the assistance they need.
And there is MORE!
S.2 creates a new leadership position called the Director of Community Integration. This person will:
• Help expand access to home and community-based services
• Lead efforts to ensure people can live in the community, not institutions
• Remove barriers to independence
• Oversee Olmstead Compliance
• Ensure services are centered around the person’s needs and goals
What’s Next?
Now that S.2 has passed both the House and Senate, it will be ratified (meaning both chambers agree on the final wording), and then it goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
👏 This is a big step forward for South Carolina’s disability and behavioral health systems. Thank you to everyone who spoke up—and a special thank you to Senator Tom Davis for his leadership in making this happen!
Image Description: A clean, digital 2D graphic features a bold blue banner at the top with the words “BILL PASSED” in all caps. Below the banner is a simplified icon of a document labeled “SC” (representing South Carolina) with horizontal lines suggesting text. A large green circle with a white checkmark overlays the bottom-right corner of the document, signaling approval or passage. The background is a textured cream color, giving it a slightly vintage, paper-like look.
