SECTION 75:15-17-3. Client rights

(a)   Each client shall be afforded all constitutional and statutory rights of all citizens of the State of Oklahoma and the United States, unless abridged through due process of law by a court of competent jurisdiction. Each program shall ensure each client has the rights which are listed below:

(1)   Each client has the right to be treated with respect and dignity. This shall be construed to protect and promote human dignity and respect for individual dignity;

(2)   Each client has the right to a safe, sanitary, and humane living environment;

(3)   Each client has the right to a humane psychological environment protecting the client from harm, abuse, and neglect;

(4)   Each client has the right to an environment that provides reasonable privacy, promotes personal dignity, and provides physical and emotional safety;

(5)   Each client has the right to receive services suited to the client's needs without regard to race, religion, gender, ethnic origin, age, degree of disability, or legal status;

(6)   Each client, on admission, has the absolute right to communicate with a relative, friend, clergy, or attorney, by telephone or mail, at the expense of the program if the client is indigent;

(7)   Each client shall have and retain the right to confidential communication with an attorney, personal physician or clergy;

(8)   Each client has the right to uncensored, private communications including, but not limited to, letters and telephone calls. Copies of any personal letter, sent or received, by a client shall not be kept in the client's record without the written consent of the client;

(9)   No client shall be neglected or sexually, physically, verbally, or otherwise abused;

(10)   Each client shall have the right to practice free exercise of religious beliefs, and be afforded the opportunity for religious worship that does not infringe on the health or safety of others. No client shall be coerced into engaging in, or refraining from, any personal religious activity, practice, or belief;

(11)   Each client has the right to be offered prompt, competent, appropriate services and an individualized service plan. The client shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in the creation of the client's service plan. The client may consent or refuse to consent to the proposed services;

(12)   The records of each client shall be confidential. This confidentiality remains intact even after the client's death;

(13)   Each client has the right to refuse to participate in any research project or medical experiment without informed consent of the client, as defined by-law. A refusal to participate shall not affect the services available to the client;

(14)   Each client has the right to assert grievances with respect to any alleged infringement of these stated rights of clients, or any other subsequently statutorily granted rights;

(15)   No client shall ever be retaliated against, or be subject to any adverse conditions or services solely or partially because of having asserted the rights stated in this section;

(16)   Upon request, each client has the right to review the client's own records. Upon written request, each client has a right to receive a copy of the client's own records or authorize an attorney or other person to do so. The program must provide a copy within a reasonable amount of time. The portion of the client's records regarding mental health or substance abuse treatment, may only be released pursuant to the provisions of 43A O.S. § 1-109 and 42 CFR shall apply;

(17)   Each client has the right to know why services are refused and can expect an explanation concerning the reason why the client was refused particular services;

(18)   Each client has the right to voluntary services that are self-determined; and

(19)   Each client has the right to decide whether or not to participate in supportive services offered by the program.

(b)   Each client shall be given a copy of these rights and the provision of such shall be documented in the client record.

(c)   Programs shall have written policies to ensure each client has received explanation of these rights.

(d)   Client rights shall be visibly posted in client areas of the facility.

(e)   The OAG, in any investigation or program monitoring regarding client rights, shall have unimpeded access to clients, program records and program staff or volunteers.

(f)   Compliance with 75:15-17-3 and applicable federal laws and regulations shall be determined by a review of program policies and procedures, client records, on-site observation, written agreements, and/or other program documentation.

[Source: Transferred from 450:15-3-72 by SB 236 (2005), eff 7-1-05 (Editor’s Notice published at 22 Ok Reg 2667); Amended at 23 Ok Reg 339, eff 11-8-05 (emergency); Amended at 23 Ok Reg 2200, eff 7-1-06; Amended at 24 Ok Reg 2508, eff 7-15-07; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1906, eff 7-11-11; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1759, eff 8-11-12; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 1915, eff 7-25-13; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 804, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1195, eff 9-11-16; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 863, eff 9-14-18]