Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 111 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH › Chapter 111-8 - HEALTHCARE FACILITY REGULATION › Subject 111-8-19 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS › Rule 111-8-19-.25 - Client's Rights, Responsibilities, and Complaints

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
A program shall establish and implement written policies and
				  procedures regarding the rights and responsibilities of clients, and the
				  handling and resolution of complaints. At a minimum, the program must ensure
				  that its clients enjoy the rights and responsibilities listed herein.
(a) Such policies and procedures shall
				include a written notice of rights and responsibilities which shall be provided
				to each client and parent, guardian, or responsible party, if applicable, when
				the client receives orientation. The required notice shall contain the
				following items:
1. Right to a humane
				treatment or habilitation environment that affords reasonable protection from
				harm, exploitation, and coercion;
2. Right to be free from physical and verbal
				abuse;
3. Right to be free from the
				use of physical restraints and seclusion unless it is determined that there are
				no less restrictive methods of controlling behavior to reasonably insure the
				safety of the client and other persons:
4. Right to be informed about plan of
				treatment and to participate in the planning, as able;
5. Right to be promptly and fully informed of
				any changes in the plan of treatment;
6. Right to accept or refuse treatment,
				unless it is determined through established authorized legal processes that the
				client is un-able to care for himself or is dangerous to himself;
7. Right to be fully informed of the charges
				for treatment;
8. Right to
				confidentiality of client records;
9. Right to have and retain personal property
				which does not jeopardize the safety of the client or other clients or staff
				and have such property treated with respect;
10. Right to converse privately, have
				convenient and reasonable access to the telephone and mails, and to see
				visitors, unless denial is necessary for treatment and the reasons are
				documented in the client's treatment plan;
11. Right to be informed of the program's
				complaint policy and procedures and the right to submit complaints without fear
				of discrimination or retaliation and to have them investigated by the program
				within a reasonable period of time;
12. Right to have access to their own client
				records and to obtain necessary copies when needed;
13. Right to receive a written notice of the
				address and telephone number of that state licensing authority, i.e. the
				department, which further explains the responsibilities of licensing the
				program and investigating client complaints which appear to violate licensing
				rules;
14. Right to obtain a copy
				of the program's most recent completed report of licensing inspection from the
				program upon written request. The program is not required to release a report
				until the program has had the opportunity to file a written plan of correction
				for the violations as provided for in these rules; and