Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-24.5-12. Duties of the mental health advocate
The mental health advocate shall perform the following duties:
(1) Review periodically the procedures established by community residences to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Review grievances of residents filed according to the provisions of the resident grievance procedure delineated in § 40.1-24.5-8 of this chapter in order to ensure that grievances have been fairly resolved in a timely fashion.
(3) Investigate and report to the director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals and/or the director of the community residence any occurrences, conditions, or practices with respect to procedure, personnel, or policy that reflect inadequacies with reference to provisions of this chapter.
(4) Assist any resident to obtain needed assistance concerning problems not related to the provisions of this chapter by referring residents to appropriate lawyer-referral services, public or private, depending upon the resident’s ability to pay, and assist the residents in the preparation and transmission of correspondence, forms, and other communications.
(5) To take action as he or she deems appropriate to protect the rights of residents including, but not limited to, programs of public education, legislative advocacy, and formal legal action.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 363, § 1.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-24.5-12
- Community residence: means a place, such as a group home, however named, licensed pursuant to chapter 24 of this title for the purpose of providing rehabilitation, psychological support, skills training, social guidance, and living accommodations to individuals who are mentally disabled, as defined by Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-24.5-1
- Director: means the head or the chief administrative officer of the community residence, or the director's designee. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-24.5-1
- Grievance procedure: means the formalized process mandated by Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-24.5-1
- Mental health advocate: means and refers to the individual appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-24.5-1
- Resident: means an individual of lawful age admitted to a community residence. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-24.5-1