R495-876-2. Statement of Purpose

(1) The Department of Human Services ("DHS") adopts this Code of Conduct to:

(a) Protect its clients from abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation; and

(b) Clarify the expectation of conduct for DHS Providers and their employees and volunteers who interact in any way with DHS clients, DHS staff and the public.

(2) The Provider shall distribute a copy of this Code of Conduct to each employee and volunteer, regardless of whether the employees or volunteers provide direct care to clients, indirect care, administrative services or support services. The Provider shall require each employee and volunteer to read the Code of Conduct and sign a copy of the attached "Certification of Understanding" before having any contact with DHS clients. The Provider shall file a copy of the signed Certificate of Understanding in each employee and volunteer's personnel file. The Provider shall also maintain a written policy that adequately addresses the appropriate treatment of clients and that prohibits the abuse, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation of clients. This policy shall also require the Provider's employees and volunteers to deal with DHS staff and the public with courtesy and professionalism.

(3) This Code of Conduct supplements various statutes, policies and rules that govern the delivery of services to DHS clients. The Providers and the DHS Divisions or Offices may not adopt or enforce policies that are less-stringent than this Code of Conduct unless those policies have first been approved in writing by the Office of Licensing and the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Human Services. Nothing in this Code of Conduct shall be interpreted to mean that clients are not accountable for their own misbehavior or inappropriate behavior, or that Providers are restricted from imposing appropriate sanctions for such behavior.