<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 10.21.14.06" title_num="10" subtitle_num="21" chapter_num="14" heading="Grievance Procedure Stage 1: Rights Advisor's Role.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Rights Advisor's Investigation and Mediation.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The rights advisor shall respond to the grievance by meeting with:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The grievant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The individual filing the grievance, if other than the resident;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The grievant's LAP, if involved; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>If applicable, any witness to the incident.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Except for good cause, the rights advisor shall notify the grievant before reviewing the grievant's medical record.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The rights advisor shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Determine an appropriate course of action for processing the grievance, which may include, but is not limited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Interviews in person or by telephone;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Requests for documents and correspondence;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Notification to the grievant regarding the facility's clinical review panel option if the grievance relates to a grievant's refusal to take medication prescribed for treatment of a mental disorder; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Classification of alleged rights violations in accordance with guidelines developed by the Director of the RGS;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Keep the grievant informed of all steps taken to resolve the grievance; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Render a decision on a grievance within 10 working days of receipt of the grievance.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The rights advisor shall make every effort to negotiate, mediate, and resolve the grievance fairly at this stage. If action is taken and the grievant is satisfied, the case is closed.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If, as a result of the rights advisor's professional judgment, a grievance is determined to be frivolous, the rights advisor shall inform the grievant of that finding and of the grievant's right to appeal and the appeal procedure.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>If a grievance with merit is not resolved to the grievant's satisfaction, and the grievant wishes to appeal, the rights advisor shall forward a copy of the grievance, including a description of the issues and recommendations, to the unit director as outlined in Regulation .07 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>If, in the rights advisor's professional judgment, the nature of the grievance is not frivolous, but the grievance either cannot be substantiated or appears to have no merit, the rights advisor shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Inform the grievant of the decision and the right to appeal;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>With the consent of the grievant, assist the grievant in filing an appeal; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Document the findings and forward a copy of the report describing the findings to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Director of the RGS;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The unit director;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The grievant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>If involved, the grievant's LAP; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The CEO.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>If a grievance with merit is resolved to the grievant's satisfaction, the rights advisor shall forward a copy of the decision to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The unit director;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The grievant;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The CEO; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If involved, the grievant's LAP.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>If the rights advisor's initial investigation concludes there is substantial risk of serious harm, or there is the potential for serious harm to a grievant if the alleged violation is not remedied promptly:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The rights advisor shall inform immediately the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Unit director or the unit director's designee;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>CEO or the CEO's designee;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Director of the RGS; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Director of the Behavioral Health Administration or the Behavioral Health Administration Director’s designee; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The unit director, the CEO, or their respective designees shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Perform an investigation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If the grievance is substantiated, develop and implement a solution within 24 hours of receiving the rights advisor's report.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>