Virginia Law

A. Providers, through their directors, shall:

1. Designate a person or persons responsible for helping individuals exercise their rights and resolve complaints regarding services;

2. Take all steps necessary to perform duties required by, and ensure compliance with, this chapter in all services provided;

3. Post information in program locations about the existence and purpose of the human rights program;

4. Communicate information about the availability of a human rights advocate to individuals and authorized representatives, in accordance with 12VAC35-115-40 B 1 and B 2;

5. Ensure access, as needed, to the LHRC for all individuals receiving services;

6. Provide the human rights advocate unrestricted access to an individual and his services records whenever the advocate deems access is necessary to carry out rights protection, complaint resolution, and advocacy on behalf of the individual;

7. Require competency-based training of employees on this chapter upon employment and at least annually thereafter. Documentation of such competency shall be maintained in the employee's personnel file;

8. Comply with all state laws governing the reporting of abuse and neglect and all procedures set forth in this chapter for reporting allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation;

9. Submit to the human rights advocate for review and comment proposed policies, procedures, or practices that may affect individual human rights;

10. Ensure appointment of a designated liaison to, and appropriate staff participation with, the LHRC, as required;

11. Cooperate with the human rights advocate and the LHRC to investigate and correct conditions or practices interfering with the free exercise of individuals' human rights and make sure that all employees cooperate with the human rights advocate, the LHRC, and the SHRC in carrying out their duties under this chapter;

12. Comply with requests by the SHRC, LHRC, or human rights advocate for information, policies, procedures, and written reports regarding compliance with this chapter;

13. Ensure the availability of records and employee witnesses upon the request of the LHRC or SHRC;

14. Submit applications for variances to this chapter only as a last resort; and

15. Not influence or attempt to influence the appointment of any person to an LHRC affiliated with the provider or director.

B. Providers shall require their employees to:

1. Become familiar with this chapter, comply with it in all respects, and help individuals understand and assert their rights;

2. Protect individuals from any form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation by:

a. Not abusing, neglecting, or exploiting any individual;

b. Using the minimum force necessary to restrain an individual;

c. Not permitting or condoning anyone else abusing, neglecting, or exploiting any individual; and

d. Reporting all suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the director; and

3. Cooperate with any investigation, meeting, hearing, or appeal held under this chapter. Cooperation includes giving statements or sworn testimony.

C. Department human rights advocates shall:

1. Represent any individual making a complaint or, upon request, consult with and help any other representative the individual chooses;

2. Provide training to individuals, family members, and providers on this chapter;

3. Investigate and try to prevent or correct any alleged rights violation by interviewing, mediating, negotiating, advising, or consulting with providers and their respective governing bodies, directors, and employees;

4. Provide orientation, training, and technical assistance to the LHRCs for which he is responsible; and

5. Investigate and examine all conditions or practices that may interfere with the free exercise of individuals' rights.

D. The department shall:

1. Employ the state human rights director to lead statewide implementation of the human rights program;

2. Determine, in consultation with the SHRC, the appropriate number and geographical boundaries of LHRCs;

3. Develop information, assistance, training tools, and other resources for individuals and constituents on this chapter;

4. Provide for regular monitoring and enforcement of this chapter, including conducting unannounced compliance reviews at any time;

5. Cooperate with and provide support to the SHRC and LHRCs, including:

a. Training SHRC and LHRC members on their responsibilities, roles, and functions under this chapter;

b. Providing access to topic area consultants as needed to support their fulfilling of their duties under this chapter; and

c. Providing necessary support for SHRC and LHRC investigations, meetings, and hearings; and

6. Maintain current and regularly updated data and perform regular trend analyses to identify the need for corrective action in the areas of abuse, neglect, and exploitation; seclusion and restraint; complaints; deaths and serious injuries; and variance applications.