Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2003 Session > Title 44

This statutory database is current through the 2003 Regular Session of the South Carolina General Assembly. Changes to the statutes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly, which will convene in January 2004, will be incorporated as soon as possible. Some changes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly may take immediate effect. The State of South Carolina and the South Carolina Legislative Council make no warranty as to the accuracy of the data, and users rely on the data entirely at their own risk.




SECTION 44-11-10. Facilities which shall be maintained; purposes thereof.

The following facilities shall continue in existence and shall be maintained for the following purposes:

(1) those inpatient facilities as authorized by the Department of Mental Health and funded by legislative appropriations, including facilities for the evaluation and treatment of mentally ill persons, facilities for the evaluation and treatment of chemically dependent persons, and long-term care facilities; and

(2) the mental health clinics for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness.

SECTION 44-11-30. Establishment, purpose and admission requirements of South Carolina Veterans Home.

The South Carolina Mental Health Commission, in mutual agreement with the authorities of the United States Veterans Administration, may establish South Carolina veterans homes to be located on grounds owned by the Department of Mental Health. The purpose of these homes is to provide treatment for South Carolina veterans who are mentally ill or whose physical condition requires long-term nursing care. Admission requirements to these homes are the same as any other facility operated by the department except that the patients at these facilities must be South Carolina veterans. The South Carolina Mental Health Commission is designated as the agency of the State to apply for and to accept gifts, grants, and other contributions from the federal government or from any other governmental unit for the operation and construction of South Carolina veterans homes. The South Carolina Mental Health Commission shall consult with the Division of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Governor, concerning the policies, management, and operation of the South Carolina veterans homes.

SECTION 44-11-40. "South Carolina veterans" defined.

For the purpose of Section 4-11-30 "South Carolina veterans" means any ex-service South Carolina citizen who was discharged under other than dishonorable conditions and who served in any branch of the military or naval service of the United States.

SECTION 44-11-60. Establishment of mental health clinics.

The Mental Health Commission shall establish mental health clinics throughout the State and shall supervise them.

SECTION 44-11-70. Appointment and powers of marshals for facilities.

The Mental Health Commission may authorize the superintendents to employ suitable persons to act as marshals to keep intruders off and prevent trespass upon State mental health facilities. The marshals employed, in so far as State mental health facilities are concerned, shall be vested with all the powers and charged with all the duties of police officers generally. They may eject trespassers. They may without warrant arrest persons guilty of disorderly conduct or of trespass on State mental health facilities and have them tried in any court of competent jurisdiction.

SECTION 44-11-75. Entering or refusing to leave state mental health facility following warning or request; penalty.

(A) It is unlawful for a person without legal cause or good excuse to enter on the premises of a state mental health facility after having been warned by the facility director or, in his absence, by the director's representative, in writing, within the six months preceding not to enter on the premises.

(B) It is unlawful for a person without legal cause or good excuse to fail or refuse immediately to leave the premises of a state mental health facility upon being ordered or requested to leave by the facility director or, in his absence, by the facility director's representative.

(C) A person violating subsection (A) or (B), upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.

(D) A municipal court or magistrate's court has jurisdiction over violations of this section occurring within the respective limits of the municipality or magisterial district.

SECTION 44-11-80. Salaries of officers and employees of facilities.

The Mental Health Commission shall fix the amount of the salaries or emoluments of all officers and employees of State mental health facilities.

SECTION 44-11-110. Easements and rights of way on grounds of facilities.

The Mental Health Commission may, by resolution recorded on the minutes of its meetings, grant easements, permits or rights of way on, over or under the grounds of the facilities, but none may be granted unless approved in writing by the Attorney General before delivery.