Disabilities and Special Needs Commission

A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 1-30-35 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE COMPOSITION AND GOVERNANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE HEADED BY A DIRECTOR WHO IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; TO AMEND SECTION 44-3-210 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, TO ELIMINATE THE COMMISSION AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE DEPARTMENT AND TO REENACT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS POWERS AND DUTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 44-3-220 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION, TO ELIMINATE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT FALLS WITHIN THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT'S ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD IS A DIRECTOR APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; TO AMEND SECTION 44-3-230 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR, TO TRANSFER POWERS AND DUTIES VESTED IN THE COMMISSION TO THE DIRECTOR; TO AMEND SECTION 44-3-240 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT, TO TRANSFER FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT THE AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 44-20-320 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO POLICIES AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS BY THE DEPARTMENT, TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 44-20-350 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT TO THE STATE FOR ITS FISCAL OUTLAY ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT, TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.