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Bill 705

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                      705
Type of Legislation:              Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:                 Senate
Introduced Date:                  20010523
Primary Sponsor:                  Branton
All Sponsors:                     Branton and Hawkins
Drafted Document Number:          l:\council\bills\dka\4507mm01.doc
Residing Body:                    Senate
Current Committee:                Judiciary Committee 11 SJ
Subject:                          Mental Health Department to suspend 
                                  release or discharge of dangerous patients 
                                  until SLED investigates; Medical


                        History

Body    Date      Action Description                     Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  ______________________________________ _______ ____________
Senate  20010523  Introduced, referred to Committee      11 SJ


              Versions of This Bill

TO REQUEST THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH TO SUSPEND ITS RELEASE OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PATIENTS FOR NINETY DAYS OR UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION BY THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION INTO THE DEPARTMENT'S DISCHARGE POLICY IS COMPLETE, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.

Whereas, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health is charged with the care and protection of the state's mentally ill, as well as its other citizens; and

Whereas, an integral part of the department's treatment and rehabilitation process involves the return of patients into their families and communities and productive lives; and

Whereas, that mission requires careful screening of patients to realistically assess their risks for harming themselves or others; and

Whereas, the department allegedly has circumvented or curtailed the discharge procedures to facilitate releases in the face of severe budget cuts; and

Whereas, the State Law Enforcement Division is currently investigating the allegation that potentially dangerous patients have been discharged ill advisedly; and

Whereas, the General Assembly of this State requires assurance that the agency's discharge process thoughtfully balances recovery and safety goals. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly request the South Carolina Department of Mental Health to suspend its release of potentially dangerous patients for ninety days or until the investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division into the department's discharge policy is complete, whichever comes first.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health.

This web page was last updated on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 11:13 A.M.