Section 17a-451(t)-5 - Filing of grievances(a) A written grievance may be filed by a client or by a person authorized by law to act on behalf of the client with the client rights officer. Except as provided under section 17a-451(t) -7 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, a grievance shall be filed not later than forty-five calendar days after the receipt of notice of the action complained of, unless good cause is shown for a late filing, as determined by the client rights officer. A grievance may be withdrawn at any time. Withdrawal of a grievance shall not affect any covered service provider corrective action begun under section 17a-451(t) -6 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(b) Each covered service provider shall designate a person to serve as a client rights officer. A covered service provider may designate another covered service provider's client rights officer to serve as its client rights officer. A covered service provider may also designate another person to act as a client rights officer, if the originally designated client rights officer is not available. A person employed by the covered service provider as a patient advocate shall not serve as a client rights officer.(c) A grievance shall be filed in writing with the client rights officer. Upon request, staff members of a covered service provider shall assist clients in preparing written grievances and submitting them to the client rights officer. A copy of all records concerning a grievance shall be kept by the client rights officer.(d) The client rights officer shall provide written notice to all clients filing a grievance of available advocacy programs and the client's right to select an advocate of his or her choice to assist in pursuing the grievance, subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section. If a client selects an advocate to assist in pursuing the grievance, the client shall provide the client rights officer with written notice of the client's selection and the client shall sign a consent to disclose information and records protected by state and federal law to the advocate.(e) A covered service provider may disapprove an advocate selected by the client who is receiving mental health or substance use disorder services from the same covered service provider on the ground that it is clinically detrimental.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17a-451(t)-5
Effective August 3, 1998; Amended June 29, 2012