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 111-8-50 - LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES: RESIDENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS › Rule 111-8-50-.04 - Citizenship and Personal Choice

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
Residents shall be free from any duty to perform services for
				  the facility and must be permitted to exercise all rights of citizenship and of
				  personal choice in accordance with the following:
(a) All residents legally eligible to vote
				must be permitted to vote in all primary, special and general elections and in
				referenda. If requested by the resident, the facility must assist in obtaining
				voter registration forms, applications for absentee ballots and in obtaining
				such ballots and assist the resident in meeting all other legal requirements in
				order to be able to vote. The facility shall not interfere with nor attempt to
				influence the actual casting of the resident's vote.
(b) All residents must be free to practice
				their religion and religious beliefs as they choose.
All residents must also be free from the imposition, by the
				  facility or any of its employees, of any religious beliefs and practices if
				  they so choose.
(c) All
				residents must be free to associate, meet and communicate in private with
				persons of the resident's choice. Residents must be permitted to participate in
				social, familial, religious, and community group activities of their choice
				either on or off of the facility grounds, provided that if such event occurs
				off the facility grounds, the right to leave the facility shall be subject to
				.10 of these rules and regulations.
(d) All residents shall be permitted (subject
				to .10 of these rules and regulations) to rise and retire at any time of their
				choice, provided the resident does not interfere with the rights of
				others.
(e) Subject to applicable
				state law and the written policies of the facility given and explained to the
				resident, guardian and/or representative at the time of admission, all
				residents must be permitted to use tobacco and to consume alcoholic beverages,
				as long as the resident does not interfere with the rights of others. This
				right is subject to .10 of these rules and regulations. Residents shall be
				notified 30 days in advance of any change in the facility's policies affecting
				the use of tobacco or consumption of alcoholic beverages;
(f) Subject to .10 of these rules and
				regulations, all residents must be free to enter and leave the facility grounds
				as the resident chooses. If the facility desires, as stated in its written
				policies, it may require a resident to inform the facility at the times he is
				leaving and re-entering the facility grounds.
(g) The facility must have visiting hours of
				at least 12 continuous hours in any 24-hour period, seven days a
				week.
(h) Visitors must be granted
				access to residents during normal visiting hours provided that each visitor
				entering a facility promptly discloses his presence and identifies himself to
				the person in charge and enters the immediate living quarters of a resident
				only after identifying himself and receiving permission to enter. Place of
				visitation shall be any place of the resident's choice so long as it does not
				disrupt the normal operation of the facility or disturb the other residents.
				Residents may terminate visits at any time. The person in charge may refuse a
				visitor access or require such a visitor to leave only if:
1. The person in charge has reason to believe
				that the presence of such visitor would result in severe harm to a resident's
				health, safety or property; or
2.
				Access is sought for financial solicitation or commercial purposes;
				or
3. A resident does not wish such
				visitor to stay. If access by a visitor is denied, the person in charge shall
				document such denial, along with the reasons therefore. This section does not
				limit the power of any public agency, ombudsman, persons from federally
				mandated advocacy programs, or other persons permitted or required by state or
				federal law to enter or inspect a facility.