South Carolina House Bill H3613

South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/25
• Refer: 1/14/25

Caption

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 12 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO CREATE THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND POLICY TO INCLUDE THE DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH FINANCING, PUBLIC HEALTH, AGING, INTELLECTUAL AND RELATED DISABILITIES, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF THE OFFICE; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-30-10, RELATING TO DEPARTMENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 8-17-370, RELATING TO THE MEDIATION OF GRIEVANCES BY THE STATE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, SO AS TO ADD THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND POLICY AND CERTAIN STAFF OF THE COMPONENT DEPARTMENTS; BY REPEALING CHAPTER 49 OF TITLE 44 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE SERVICES; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-1-20, 44-1-80, 44-1-90, 44-1-100, 44-1-110, 44-1-130, 44-1-140, 44-1-151, 44-1-152, 44-1-165, 44-1-170, 44-1-180, 44-1-190, 44-1-200, 44-1-210, 44-1-215, 44-1-220, 44-1-230, 44-1-260, 44-1-280, 44-1-290, 44-1-300, AND 44-1-310, ALL RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-1-315, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, SO AS TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION; BY REPEALING SECTIONS 44-1-30, 44-1-40, 44-1-50, 44-1-70, 44-1-143, 44-1-145, AND 44-1-148 ALL RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH; BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 6, TITLE 44, AND SECTIONS 44-6-140, 44-6-146, 44-6-150, 44-6-170, 44-6-190, 44-6-400, 44-6-530, 44-6-540, 44-6-720, 44-6-730, AND 44-6-1010, ALL RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES PERTAINING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FINANCING; BY REPEALING ARTICLE 5 OF CHAPTER 6, TITLE 44 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-7-77, 44-7-80, 44-7-84, 44-7-90, 44-7-130, 44-7-150, 44-7-170, 44-7-190, 44-7-200, 44-7-210, 44-7-260, 44-7-265, 44-7-266, 44-7-370, 44-7-392, 44-7-510, 44-7-570, 44-7-1420, 44-7-1440, 44-7-1490, 44-7-1590, 44-7-1660, 44-7-1690, 44-7-2420, 44-7-2430, 44-7-2450, 44-7-2460, 44-7-2550, 44-7-2910, 44-7-2940, 44-7-3430, 44-7-3455, AND 44-7-3460, ALL RELATING TO HOSPITALS AND OTHER HEALTH SERVICES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY REPEALING SECTION 44-7-180 RELATING TO THE STATE HEALTH PLANNING COMMITTEE; BY AMENDING CHAPTER 9, TITLE 44, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES PERTAINING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH; BY ADDING SECTIONS 44-9-95 AND 44-9-105 SO AS TO ADD TO THE CHAPTER PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO SERVICES AND TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND TO ADDRESS SERVICE CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SERVICE PROVIDERS; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-20-10, 44-20-20, 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, 44-20-250, 44-20-255, 44-20-260, 44-20-270, 44-20-280, 44-20-290, 44-20-300, 44-20-310, 44-20-320, 44-20-330, 44-20-340, 44-20-350, 44-20-355, 44-20-360, 44-20-365, 44-20-370, 44-20-375, 44-20-378, 44-20-380, 44-20-385, 44-20-390, 44-20-400, 44-20-410, 44-20-420, 44-20-430, 44-20-440, 44-20-490, 44-20-510, 44-20-710, 44-20-740, 44-20-900, AND ARTICLE 7, CHAPTER 20, TITLE 44, ALL RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES PERTAINING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INTELLECTUAL AND RELATED DISABILITIES; BY ADDING SECTION 44-20-372 SO AS TO ADDRESS SERVICE CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF INTELLECTUAL AND RELATED DISABILITIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 43-21-10, 43-21-20, 43-21-40, 43-21-60, 43-21-70, 43-21-80, 43-21-100, 43-21-110, 43-21-120, 43-21-130, AND 43-21-140, ALL RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT ON AGING, ALL SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 48-6-60, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

Impact

One significant impact of H3613 will be the consolidation of health-related departments under a unified executive office. By streamlining these functions, the state aims to create a cohesive framework for managing health services, which could lead to improved efficiencies and better resource utilization. Additionally, the establishment of a State Health Services Plan aims to assess and enhance the quality of care available, addressing critical aspects such as accessibility and cost-effectiveness for citizens in need.

Summary

House Bill H3613 proposes to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Chapter 12 to Title 44 to create the Executive Office of Health and Policy. This office will encompass various departments, including Health Financing, Public Health, Aging, Intellectual and Related Disabilities, and Behavioral Health, allowing for a more integrated approach to health policy administration in the state. The bill emphasizes the importance of coordinating health services across these diverse departments to enhance care delivery and improve outcomes for South Carolinians.

Concluding

Overall, H3613 seeks to reshape the landscape of health policy in South Carolina by promoting interdepartmental collaboration and focusing on a state-wide health service framework. While it presents opportunities for improved care coordination, the bill also raises important discussions about the balance between centralized administration and local health service autonomy.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding H3613 may center on concerns regarding the potential loss of localized control over health services. Some stakeholders could argue that consolidating departments may dilute the focus on specific community needs, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Critics may express that centralized decision-making could hinder responsiveness to local health challenges, emphasizing the importance of maintaining localized oversight and tailored services.