Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-21-104 - Office of Human Rights; Human Rights Advocates

A. An Office of Human Rights shall be established within the Administration. The office shall have its own chief officer who shall be responsible for the management and control of the office, as well as the hiring, training, supervision, and coordination of human rights advocates.

B. The chief officer shall appoint at least one human rights advocate for each 2,500 clients in each region. Each region shall have at least one human rights advocate. The chief officer shall appoint at least one human rights advocate for ASH. All clients shall have the right of access to The Office of Human Rights in order to understand, exercise, and protect their rights. The human rights advocate shall advocate on behalf of clients and shall assist clients in understanding and protecting their rights and obtaining needed services. The human rights advocate shall also assist clients in resolving appeals and grievances under Article 4 of this Chapter and shall coordinate and assist the Independent Oversight committees in performing their duties.

C. The human rights advocates shall be given access to all:

1. Clients; and

2. Client records from a service provider, health plan, or the Administration, except as prohibited by federal or state law.

D. Staff of inpatient facilities, health plans, and service providers shall cooperate with the advocate by providing relevant information, reports, investigations, and access to meetings, staff persons, and facilities except as prohibited by federal or state law and the client's right to privacy.

E. An agency director shall notify the health plan and the Office of Human of each client who needs special assistance.

F. The Office of Human Rights shall:

1. Assign a designated representative to each Special Assistance member;

a. The Office of Human Rights shall assign a natural support if one exists and is willing to act as a designated representative, (e.g. a family member or friend), or

b. If a natural support does not exist or is unwilling, an Advocate from the Office of Human Rights.

1.2. Maintain a list that contains the names of each client who needs special assistance and, if applicable, the name and address of the residential program providing behavioral services to the client; and

2.3. Provide each Independent Oversight committee with a list of all clients who need special assistance who reside in the respective jurisdiction of the Independent Oversight committee.

G. The Administration shall ensure appropriate Independent Oversight committees have access to copies of all reports received according to this Chapter (e.g., reports regarding clients who need special assistance, allegations of mistreatment, denial of rights, restraint, and seclusion).

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-21-104

Adopted under an exemption from A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6 pursuant to Laws 1992, Ch. 301, § 61, effective October 7, 1992; received in the Office of the Secretary of State October 14, 1992 (Supp. 92-4). Former Section R9-21-104 renumbered to R9-21-103; new Section R9-21-104 renumbered from R9-21-105 and amended by exempt rulemaking at 9 A.A.R. 3296, effective June 30, 2003 (Supp. 03-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 22 A.A.R. 2019, effective 7/12/2016. Amended by final rulemaking at 29 A.A.R. 898, effective 5/30/2023.