S.C. Code Ann. § 44-20-450 – Proceedings for involuntary admission; petition; hearing; service of notice; guardian ad litem; right to counsel; report; termination of proceedings; order of admission; appeal; confinement in jail prohibited

(A) Proceedings for the involuntary admission of a person with mental retardation or a related disability to the services of the department may be initiated by the filing of a verified petition with the probate or the family court by:
1. (1) the spouse;
2. (2) a relative;
3. (3) the parents;
4. (4) a parent with legal custody;
5. (5) the legal guardian of the person;
6. (6) the person in charge of a public or private institution in which the individual is residing at the time;
7. (7) the director of the county department of social services of the county in which the person resides; or
8. (8) a solicitor or an assistant solicitor responsible for the criminal prosecution pursuant to Section 44-23-430(2).
  Upon filing of the petition, the judge shall set a date for a hearing on it and ensure that the client has an attorney who represents him. The parents, parent with legal custody, spouse, guardian, or nearest known relative of the person alleged to have mental retardation or a related disability and in whose behalf the petition has been made and in the discretion of the court, the individual alleged to have mental retardation or a related disability and the department must be served by the court with a written notice of the time and place of the hearing, together with a written statement of the matters stated in the petition. If no parent, spouse, legal guardian, or known relative of the person alleged to have mental retardation or a related disability is found, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the person alleged to have mental retardation or a related disability, and the notice must be served upon the guardian. If the parent, spouse, guardian, or known relative of the person alleged to have mental retardation or a related disability is found, he must be notified of the right to an attorney at the hearing.
(B) The hearing on the petition may be in the courthouse or at the place of residence of the person alleged to have mental retardation or a related disability or at another place considered appropriate by the court. The person alleged to have mental retardation or a related disability does not need to be present if the court determines that the hearing would be injurious or detrimental to the person alleged to have mental retardation or a related disability or if the person's mental or physical condition prevents his participation in the hearing. However, his attorney must be present.
(C) A report of the person in charge of the examination of the person alleged to have mental retardation or a related disability at the diagnostic center referred to in "Requirement for Admission" must be submitted to the court at the hearing. The court may not render judgment in the hearing unless this report is available and introduced.
(D) If the court determines that the evidence presented by the examiners at the diagnostic center, along with other evidence presented to the court, is to the effect that the person does not in fact have mental retardation or a related disability to an extent which would require commitment, it shall terminate the proceeding and dismiss the petition.
(E) If the person is found by the court to have mental retardation or a related disability and be in need of placement in a facility or service program of the department, the court shall order that he be admitted to the jurisdiction of the department as soon as necessary services are available and include in the order a summary of the evidence presented and order of the court.
(F) The department shall inform the court as soon after the date of the order as practical that suitable accommodations and services are available to meet the needs of the person with mental retardation or a related disability. Upon notification, the court shall direct the petitioner in these proceedings to transport the person with mental retardation or a related disability to a program the department designates.
(G) A party to these proceedings may appeal from the order of the court to the court of common pleas, and a trial de novo with a jury must be held in the same manner as in civil actions unless the petitioner through his attorney waives his right to a jury trial. Pending a final determination of the appeal, the person with mental retardation or a related disability must be placed in protective custody in either a facility of the department or in some other suitable place designated by the court. No person with mental retardation or a related disability must be confined in jail unless there is a criminal charge pending against him.