Posted on Wed, Apr. 19, 2006

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House committee earmarks Mental Health land sale money

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The House Ways and Means committee agreed Wednesday that money the state gets from selling Department of Mental Health land and buildings in Columbia would be used for mental health care.

Last year, Gov. Mark Sanford had wanted that surplus land sold with the money used to help pay off state debt.

The bill says the cash can't be used to supplant the department's current funding. Instead, the money has to be used to pay for long-term and emergency care for the mentally ill and services for mentally ill offenders.

The bill now heads to the House floor for debate.