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BHDD Freedom of Information Act Requests

As a public agency, the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) maintains public records in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). 

South Carolina’s FOIA is a tool to obtain existing public records from public bodies. The statute does not require public bodies to create new records, analyze data, answer questions, or conduct research (beyond searching for existing records) in response to requests. 

Learn how to submit a request for existing public records, review the BHDD Policy & Fee Schedule, and access a fillable request form (if needed) below. 

Patient/resident/client treatment and service records are not public documents and are therefore not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. 

If you have questions about BHDD’s FOIA process, call 803-898-8582.

BHDD FOIA Policy & Fee Schedule

FOIA requests must be made in writing and may be submitted in the following ways:

By Email

You may submit a request by e-mail to: tracy.lapointe@omh.bhdd.sc.gov.

By Postal Mail

BHDD
ATTN: Communications/FOIA Officer
PO Box 485
Columbia, SC 29202

BHDD has provided a form to assist requesters in providing all necessary information if needed; this form IS NOT required to submit a request. 

BHDD Freedom of Information Act Request Form 

Patient/resident/client treatment and service records are not public documents and are therefore not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. 

If you are seeking copies of your records for mental health treatment or services from BHDD, please follow the instructions here: Mental Health Records Requests. This page provides the release forms and contact information you will need to obtain your records. 

If you are seeking copies of your records related to intellectual and developmental disability programs and services from BHDD, please call 803-898-9600 for assistance.

If you are a current employee seeking information from your employment record, a Freedom of Information Act is not required. Please contact BHDD Human Resource Services at (803) 898-8600 to make a request.

  • Please note that BHDD requires verification of identification before providing these documents to ensure employee confidentiality.

If you are a member of the public seeking employee information, a Freedom of Information Act request is required. 

  • Please note that not all employee information is public information and BHDD will make redactions in accordance with South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act statute, section 30-4-40, and other state and federal law.