R432-270-9. Residents' Rights

  (1) Assisted living facilities shall develop a written resident's rights statement based on this section.

  (2) The administrator or designee shall give the resident a written description of the resident's legal rights upon admission, including the following:

  (a) a description of the manner of protecting personal funds, in accordance with Section R432-270-20; and

  (b) a statement that the resident may file a complaint with the state long term care ombudsman and any other advocacy group concerning resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property in the facility.

  (3) The administrator or designee shall notify the resident or the resident's responsible person at the time of admission, in writing and in a language and manner that the resident or the resident's responsible person understands, of the resident's rights and of all rules governing resident conduct and responsibilities during the stay in the facility.

  (4) The administrator or designee must promptly notify in writing the resident or the resident's responsible person when there is a change in resident rights under state law.

  (5) Resident rights include the following:

  (a) the right to be treated with respect, consideration, fairness, and full recognition of personal dignity and individuality;

  (b) the right to be transferred, discharged, or evicted by the facility only in accordance with the terms of the signed admission agreement;

  (c) the right to be free of mental and physical abuse, and chemical and physical restraints;

  (d) the right to refuse to perform work for the facility;

  (e) the right to perform work for the facility if the facility consents and if:

  (i) the facility has documented the resident's need or desire for work in the service plan,

  (ii) the resident agrees to the work arrangement described in the service plan,

  (iii) the service plan specifies the nature of the work performed and whether the services are voluntary or paid, and

  (iv) compensation for paid services is at or above the prevailing rate for similar work in the surrounding community;

  (f) the right to privacy during visits with family, friends, clergy, social workers, ombudsmen, resident groups, and advocacy representatives;

  (g) the right to share a unit with a spouse if both spouses consent, and if both spouses are facility residents;

  (h) the right to privacy when receiving personal care or services;

  (i) the right to keep personal possessions and clothing as space permits;

  (j) the right to participate in religious and social activities of the resident's choice;

  (k) the right to interact with members of the community both inside and outside the facility;

  (l) the right to send and receive mail unopened;

  (m) the right to have access to telephones to make and receive private calls;

  (n) the right to arrange for medical and personal care;

  (o) the right to have a family member or responsible person informed by the facility of significant changes in the resident's cognitive, medical, physical, or social condition or needs;

  (p) the right to leave the facility at any time and not be locked into any room, building, or on the facility premises during the day or night. Assisted living Type II residents who have been assessed to require a secure environment may be housed in a secure unit, provided the secure unit is approved by the fire authority having jurisdiction. This right does not prohibit the locking of facility entrance doors if egress is maintained;

  (q) the right to be informed of complaint or grievance procedures and to voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to facility staff or outside representatives without restraint, discrimination, or reprisal;

  (r) the right to be encouraged and assisted throughout the period of a stay to exercise these rights as a resident and as a citizen;

  (s) the right to manage and control personal funds, or to be given an accounting of personal funds entrusted to the facility, as provided in R432-270-20 concerning management of resident funds;

  (t) the right, upon oral or written request, to access within 24 hours all records pertaining to the resident, including clinical records;

  (u) the right, two working days after the day of the resident's oral or written request, to purchase at a cost not to exceed the community standard photocopies of the resident's records or any portion thereof;

  (v) the right to personal privacy and confidentiality of personal and clinical records;

  (w) the right to be fully informed in advance about care and treatment and of any changes in that care or treatment that may affect the resident's well-being; and

  (x) the right to be fully informed in a language and in a manner the resident understands of the resident's health status and health rights, including the following:

  (i) medical condition;

  (ii) the right to refuse treatment;

  (iii) the right to formulate an advance directive in accordance with UCA Section 75-2a; and

  (iv) the right to refuse to participate in experimental research.

  (6) The following items must be posted in a public area of the facility that is easily accessible by residents:

  (a) the long term care ombudsmen's notification poster;

  (b) information on Utah protection and advocacy systems; and

  (c) a copy of the resident's rights.

  (7) The facility shall have available in a public area of the facility the results of the current survey of the facility and any plans of correction.

  (8) A resident may organize and participate in resident groups in the facility, and a resident's family may meet in the facility with the families of other residents.

  (a) The facility shall provide private space for resident groups or family groups.

  (b) Facility personnel or visitors may attend resident group or family group meetings only at the group's invitation.

  (c) The administrator shall designate an employee to provide assistance and to respond to written requests that result from group meetings.