The General Assembly finds that by executive order in 1977 the Governor designated an eleemosynary corporation known as Advocacy for Handicapped Citizens, Inc., and located in Charleston, as the organization to perform the function of advocate for developmentally disabled citizens as required by Section 113 of Public Law 94-103, as amended by 95-602, and that organization has been adequately performing that function and has qualified for certain assistance under Section 113 of Public Law 94-103, as amended by 95-602, of the United States Congress.

It further finds that the Joint Legislative Committee created to study problems of the handicapped, pursuant to the mandate of the resolution which created the committee, proposed a concurrent resolution in 1978, which was adopted, to continue the designation of that organization as advocate for the developmentally disabled and such resolution included an expression of the desire of the General Assembly that the principal office be moved to Columbia by October 1, 1978. It further finds that the joint committee has determined, based on numerous hearings, that without intended criticism to the designated organization, the functions of protection and advocacy can be better performed by an organization with a statewide Board of Directors which can monitor and supervise the four regional offices in Charleston, Greenville, Columbia and Florence from a central office in Columbia. It is the purpose of this act to permanently establish as advocate under Section 113 of Public Law 94-103, as amended by 95-602, an eleemosynary corporation already formed under the corporate name, South Carolina Protection and Advocacy System for the Handicapped, Inc. It is the further purpose of this act to express the desire of the General Assembly that South Carolina Protection and Advocacy System for the Handicapped, Inc., exercise protection and advocacy functions not only for the developmentally disabled citizens of South Carolina but also for all other handicapped citizens of the State.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 48 Section 1.

Editor's Note

The 1993 Act No. 181 Section 1612, eff July 1, 1993, provides as follows:

"SECTION 1612. Nothing in this act shall affect the independent status or location of the South Carolina Protection and Advocacy System for the Handicapped established pursuant to Article 5, Chapter 33 of Title 43."