Current through Register Vol. 18, September 20, 2024
(1) An EDC must
develop and maintain a rights policy that supports and protects the fundamental
human, civil, constitutional, and statutory rights of all clients. These rights
must include:
(a) clients are admitted to
treatment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, age, or disability, except for bona fide program
criteria;
(b) clients are
reasonably accommodated in case of sensory or physical disability, limited
ability to communicate, limited English proficiency, or cultural
differences;
(c) clients are
treated in a manner sensitive to individual needs and which promote dignity and
self-respect;
(d) all clinical and
personal information is treated in accordance with state and federal
confidentiality regulations;
(e)
clients can review their own treatment records in the presence of the
administrator or designee;
(f)
clients are fully informed of fees charged, including fees for copying records
to verify treatment and methods of payment available; and
(g) clients are protected from abuse,
harassment, and exploitation by staff or from other clients who are on agency
premises.
(2) The EDC
must post a copy of client rights in a conspicuous place in the facility
accessible to clients and staff.
(3) These rights must be explained at the
time of admission to the client and/or legal representative in terms that the
client can understand.
(4) The EDC
must develop a written client grievance policy that includes:
(a) a procedure for the submission of the
client's written or verbal grievance to the EDC;
(b) time frames in which the EDC must review
a grievance and reach a decision;
(c) a process for providing the client with
written notice of the grievance decision that contains:
(i) the name of the EDC's contact
person;
(ii) the steps taken on
behalf of the client to investigate the grievance;
(iii) the results of the grievance process;
and
(iv) the date of
completion.
(d) clients
will receive a copy of client grievance procedures describing the submission
and disposition of complaints by the client and right to appeal without threat
of reprisal; and
(e) client consent
must be obtained for each release of information to any other person or
entity.
(5) The
grievance policy must be explained at the time of admission to the client in
terms that the client and/or legal representative can understand.
