Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2009 Session > Title 43

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Title 43 - Social Services

CHAPTER 3.

COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND BOARDS OF SOCIAL SERVICES

SECTION 43-3-10. County departments and boards of social services; creation; membership; appointment; terms; vacancies; termination.

(A) There is created in each county of the State a county department of social services, referred to in Chapters 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 as the county department, and in each county a county board of social services, referred to in Chapters 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 as the county board, to be composed of not less than three nor more than nine members. Each county board serves in an advisory capacity to the director of the county department of social services. The members of each county board must be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of a majority, including the Senator, of the county legislative delegation. The terms of the members are for three years and until their successors have been appointed and qualify. In case of a vacancy caused by death, removal, resignation, or otherwise, the vacancy must be filled as provided in this section, but only for the unexpired term.

In Berkeley County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 159 of 1995.

In Dorchester County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 512 of 1996.

In Georgetown County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 515 of 1996.

(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (A), a county legislative delegation, in its sole discretion, has the authority, by written resolution, to terminate its respective county board of social services by a two-thirds vote, based on weighted voting percentages of the county legislative delegation.

SECTION 43-3-20. Compensation of members of county boards.

Members of the county boards shall receive the same mileage as is provided by law for state boards, committees and commissions for travel in attending meetings and a per diem, the total per diem not to exceed seventy-five dollars per year.

SECTION 43-3-30. Chairman; meetings; quorum; rules of procedure.

The members of the respective county boards shall elect one of their members as chairman. Each county board shall meet not less than once a month on regular dates fixed by it unless the director shall designate other regular dates for the various county board meetings. A simple majority of the members shall constitute a quorum and may decide all matters. Each county board may adopt its own rules of procedure unless the state department shall promulgate uniform rules for all county boards to observe.

SECTION 43-3-40. County directors; selection; salaries; duties.

(A) The director shall select a director for each county department, referred to in Chapters 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 19, and 23 as the county director, to discharge the duties of such office and may select regional directors to oversee the county directors. The salaries of county directors and any regional directors shall be fixed by the director. In fixing these salaries the director shall consider the individual qualifications of the respective directors and the possibilities of their individual positions. The county director shall be the chief executive officer of the county department and shall perform duties as are directed by the director, regional director, or as directed by law.

(B) Regional and county directors serve at the pleasure of the Director of the State Department of Social Services.

SECTION 43-3-50. County advisory councils of social services.

Each county board may create a county advisory council of social services to consider and advise with the county board on its problems and the remedies therefor, such council not to exceed five members. Members of such councils shall serve without compensation or allowance for expenses.

SECTION 43-3-60. Duties and powers of county directors.

The respective county directors shall act as the representatives of the director in administering such welfare activities within the county as are provided for by law or as are directed and required by the director when not otherwise provided for by law. Each of such county directors shall see that all laws are enforced for the protection and welfare of minors and the removal of moral menaces to the young and to safeguard and promote the health, education and general welfare of minors. Subject to the rules and regulations of the state department, each of the county directors may use any funds supplied by the county in which the county department operates for such purposes as may be directed by law, in addition to their other duties. Each county director shall serve as the agent of the state department in the performance of such functions as the director may delegate to it.

SECTION 43-3-65. Office space and facility service to be supplied for county Department of Social Services.

The governing authorities of each county shall provide office space and facility service, including janitorial, utility and telephone services, and related supplies, for its county Department of Social Services.

SECTION 43-3-70. Estimates of county expenses; authority to engage, and qualifications of, agents and employees.

Each county director shall submit to the state director at such times as the latter shall require the director's estimate of the necessary administrative expenses and expenditures in the county, which, when approved by the state director, shall be authority for the county director to engage such other agents and employees as may be necessary in executing the duties and activities delegated to the county director. All such agents and employees shall measure up to the standards fixed by the state director as to education, training, fitness and experience in social work.

SECTION 43-3-80. County budgets; records of activities and funds.

Each county director shall prepare and submit to the state director, as required by the latter, an estimated budget for carrying out the duties and functions delegated to the county director, and shall maintain an accurate record of the county department's activities and all funds received and expended by it.

SECTION 43-3-90. Standards of work, procedure and records of county directors.

The respective county directors shall maintain such standards of work, procedure and records as are required by the state director in the discharge of their functions or in the use of any funds provided by the state department.

SECTION 43-3-100. Records and accounts of county departments; inspection, supervision and audit.

The records and accounts of each county shall be maintained as prescribed by the director and shall be subject to inspection, supervision, and audit by the state department and in the same manner and with the same effect as may be provided by law for the examination of other public offices.

SECTION 43-3-110. Reports of county directors.

Each county director shall furnish such reports to the director as the latter shall require, including reports of all receipts and disbursements for assistance, which shall be made in such manner and upon such forms as the director may require. Each county director shall make an annual report of the county department's activities, receipts and disbursements to each member of the county legislative delegation, to the foreman of the county grand jury and to the clerk of court, who shall file such report in his office as a public record. Each county director shall furnish such reports and data as may be required by the state department or the federal government, through its appropriate agency or instrumentality, concerning conditions within its county, the county department's activities and functions and the administration of funds received by the county department.