The system has the following powers and duties:

(1) It shall protect and advocate for the rights of all persons with a developmental or other disability, including the requirements of Section 113 of Public Law 94-103, Section 105 of Public Law 99-319, and Section 112 of Public Law 98-221, all as amended, and for the rights of other persons with disabilities by pursuing legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies to insure the protection of the rights of these persons.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 43-33-350

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Complaint: means an oral or written allegation by a person with a developmental or other disability, the parent or legal guardian of such person, a state agency or any other responsible person to the effect that the person with a developmental or other disability is being subjected to injury or deprivation with regard to his health, safety, welfare, rights or level of care. See South Carolina Code 43-33-340
  • Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
  • System: means Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. See South Carolina Code 43-33-340

(2) It may investigate complaints by or on behalf of any person with a developmental or other disability.

(3) It may establish a priority for the delivery of protection and advocacy services according to the type, severity, and number of disabilities of the person making a complaint or on whose behalf a complaint has been made.

(4) It may conduct team advocacy inspections of a facility providing residence to a person with a developmental or other disability. Inspections must be completed by the system’s staff and trained volunteers. Team advocacy inspections are unannounced visits to review the living conditions of a residential facility, including the plans of care for individuals in a residential care facility and a community mental health center day program. Only the coordinator of the team advocacy project or the coordinator’s designee is authorized to perform reviews of plans of care. The system shall prepare a report based on the inspection which must be submitted to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and State Department of Mental Health.

(5) It shall administer the Client Assistance Program, as established pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 732.