14-191-1 Me. Code R. § VIII
Each member of a Human Rights Committee should strive to resolve concerns regarding client care at the lowest possible administrative level. Each Human Rights Committee shall. as required by law ( 34-B MRSA subsection5606) , report any allegations of abuse, mistreatment, neglect, exploitation, or the dental of a tight of a mentally retarded person to the Office of Advocacy, the Attorney General's office, and to the appointing authority. This report shall be made within 24 hours in any instance where the safety or well-being of an individual or group of clients is at Issue, the Human Rights Committee Is expected to contact. Initially, the Individual with direct responsibility for addressing the particular problem being presented. Should a situation , arise such that the Human Rights Committee is unable to obtain satisfactory revolution of a concern, the department staff involved with the Committee at that level should assist the Committee in bringing its concern to the attention of the next most senior Individual with responsibility for that area of concern. The Human Rights Committee responsible for a facility shall receive copies of any finding or decision relating to the use of aversive behavior modification procedures reviewed by the Consumer Advisory Board Behavior Modification Review Committee. Human Rights Committees shall determine the specific functioning of the Committee in such areas as frequency of meetings, attendance requirements, recordkeeping, on-site review, and other areas of general committee functioning including the appointment of a Committee chairperson. The power and authority of Human Rights Committees Is contingent upon an open and honest relationship between those empowered to carry out the care and treatment of clients and those empowered to review and monitor the adequacy and appropriateness of that treatment.
14-191 C.M.R. ch. 1, § VIII