<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 10.07.05.09" title_num="10" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="05" heading="Complaint Process.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Internal Complaint Process. An agency shall institute an internal client complaint process that includes:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Notice to the client or the client representative of the complaint process;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Protocols to investigate complaints; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A mechanism for the receipt and timely investigation of written complaints that ensures that the client’s services will not be disrupted due to the filing of a complaint.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Internal Complaint Investigations.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>All investigation reports shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Time, date, place, and individuals involved;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Complete description of the complaint;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Disposition of the complaint; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Follow-up activities and steps taken to prevent its reoccurrence.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the agency does not conduct a complaint investigation, the agency shall document in the complaint record the reason for not conducting an investigation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An agency shall provide notice to the following persons regarding the disposition of a complaint:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Client, or if the client is incompetent, the client representative;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Client’s physician, if needed; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Licensing or law enforcement agencies, when required by law.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>An agency shall maintain records to support its internal complaint investigation process.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An agency shall provide notice to clients of the Department’s complaint hotline number for complaints about services provided by the agency or services that the agency failed to provide.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Availability of Internal Investigation Reports.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The agency shall make investigation reports available to the Department immediately upon request.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An agency shall provide a summary report of any complaint investigation for public inspection, upon request, to the extent permitted by law.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>