CHAPTER 813
PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY
FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

      Sec. 46a-7. State policy concerning disabled persons. It is hereby found that the state of Connecticut has a special responsibility for the care, treatment, education, rehabilitation of and advocacy for its disabled citizens. Frequently the disabled are not aware of services or are unable to gain access to the appropriate facilities or services. It is hereby the declared policy of the state to provide for coordination of services for the disabled among the various agencies of the state charged with the responsibility for the care, treatment, education and rehabilitation of the disabled.

      (P.A. 77-589, S. 1, 9; P.A. 94-87, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 94-87 changed reference from handicapped persons to persons with disabilities.

      Sec. 46a-8. Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter the term "person with a disability" means any person who has a physical, mental, emotional or other disability or disfunction which constitutes a significant obstacle to such person's ability to function normally in society and includes those persons defined as developmentally disabled under Public Law 94-103 and any subsequent amendments thereto.

      (P.A. 77-589, S. 2, 9; P.A. 94-87, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 94-87 changed reference from "handicapped person" to "person with a disability" and changed reference from "handicap" to "obstacle".

      Sec. 46a-9. Advocacy board established. There is established a Board of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, hereinafter referred to as the advocacy board. The advocacy board shall advise the executive director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities on matters relating to advocacy policy, client service priorities and issues affecting persons with disabilities. Said advocacy board shall consist of fifteen members appointed by the Governor and be comprised of ten persons with disabilities or a parent or guardian of a person with a disability, at least four of whom shall represent developmentally disabled persons, and five persons who are knowledgeable in the problems of persons with disabilities including the state Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator and the chairperson for the advisory board of the protection and advocacy for individuals with mental illness program. No officer or employee of a state or private agency providing services to persons with disabilities other than the chairperson for the advisory board of the protection and advocacy for individuals with mental illness program, if applicable, may serve as a member of the advocacy board. The initial terms of the members of said advocacy board shall terminate on July 1, 1979, and thereafter the terms of the members of said advocacy board shall be coterminous with the term of the Governor. The Governor shall appoint one of the members of said board to serve as chairperson. All members of the advocacy board shall serve without compensation but shall be compensated for necessary expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties as board members.

      (P.A. 77-589, S. 5, 9; P.A. 94-87, S. 1; P.A. 95-84.)

      History: P.A. 94-87 changed reference from "handicapped" to "persons with disabilities", defined role for advocacy board and removed obsolete provision re duty of commissioner of consumer protection to convene initial meeting of board; P.A. 95-84 replaced "handicapped" persons with persons "with disabilities" and provided that the chairperson for the advisory board of the protection and advocacy for individuals with mental illness program be a member of the advocacy board.

      Sec. 46a-10. Advocacy office established. Qualifications of director. There is established an Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, hereinafter referred to as the advocacy office, for the protection and advocacy of the rights of persons with disabilities and developmentally disabled persons. The operations of the advocacy office shall be administered by a director of advocacy for persons with disabilities. Said director shall be a person knowledgeable in the problems of persons with disabilities or advocacy and shall be appointed by the Governor. The director may employ necessary staff, subject to available appropriations and the provisions of chapter 67. The director may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54, subject to the approval of said board, to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

      (P.A. 77-589, S. 3, 9; P.A. 89-144, S. 15; P.A. 94-87, S. 4; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5, S. 21, 30.)

      History: P.A. 89-144 substituted the office of protection and advocacy for persons with disabilities for the office of protection and advocacy for handicapped and developmentally disabled persons; P.A. 94-87 changed reference from handicapped persons to persons with disabilities; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5 removed the provision that placed the advocacy office within the department of consumer protection for administrative purposes only, effective July 1, 1994.

      Sec. 46a-11. Duties and powers of director. The director may, within available appropriations:

      (1) Purchase or contract for necessary services including, but not limited to, legal services;

      (2) Receive and spend, pursuant to the purposes of this chapter, moneys in the form of gifts, bequests, state appropriations, state or private grants or federal grants;

      (3) Establish a state-wide toll-free telephone information and referral system for persons with disabilities for referral of such persons to appropriate public or private agencies or services. Such information and referral system may be coordinated with the Governor's state-wide information bureau or any other existing information and referral services;

      (4) Receive and investigate complaints from persons with disabilities, parents or guardians of such persons or in writing from any other interested person, act as an advocate for any person with a disability and initiate or fund legal actions to protect the rights of any person with a disability;

      (5) Request and receive information, including personal data, concerning a person with a disability from any state or private agency, with the consent of such person with a disability, or the parent or guardian of such person, as appropriate. With respect to a developmentally disabled adult who has no guardian or whose guardian is an employee of the Department of Developmental Services, the director may request and receive such information only if:

      (A) A request for advocacy services has been made on such person's behalf;

      (B) Such person does not indicate refusal to give consent to receipt of the information by the director;

      (C) Such person resides in a facility for developmentally disabled persons, including any institution, as defined in subsection (a) of section 19a-490, or has been placed in a boarding home, group home or other residential facility pursuant to section 17a-277;

      (D) Such person has received an explanation of the manner in which any information obtained concerning such person will be used by the advocacy office;

      (E) Such person has received an explanation of such person's right to refuse to allow the director to request or receive such information; and

      (F) The director has documented the director's conscientious efforts to provide the required explanations and verified that the developmentally disabled person has not indicated refusal to give consent;

      (6) Coordinate and cooperate with other private and public agencies concerned with the implementation, monitoring and enforcement of the rights of persons with disabilities and enter into cooperative agreements with public or private agencies for furtherance of the rights of persons with disabilities;

      (7) Represent, appear, intervene in or bring an action on behalf of any person with a disability or class of persons, with the consent of such person or the parent or legal guardian of such person, in any proceeding before any court, agency, board or commission in this state in which matters related to this chapter are in issue;

      (8) Implement, with the approval of the individual using a service provided by the advocacy office, a case follow-up system;

      (9) Research and identify the needs of persons with disabilities and programs and services available to meet those needs;

      (10) Develop and maintain a program of public education and information, such program to include, but not be limited to, education of the public concerning the needs and rights of persons with disabilities, in cooperation with existing state and private agencies, an outreach effort to discover persons with disabilities in need of assistance or an advocate and provisions for a class or group advocacy service;

      (11) Develop and maintain an individual advocacy service for persons with disabilities which shall investigate referred problems or complaints;

      (12) Receive, review and make such recommendations as he deems appropriate on applications for waivers from the requirements of the State Building Code, submitted by the State Building Inspector pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of section 29-269;

      (13) Ensure that all aspects of agency operations conform to federally established protection and advocacy requirements for program independence and authority, including:

      (A) Structural independence from other agencies which provide services to people with disabilities;

      (B) Authority to pursue legal and administrative remedies on behalf of persons with disabilities;

      (C) Authority to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of persons with disabilities who receive care, treatment or services;

      (D) Authority to access persons who are residents of facilities or clients of services systems, and with appropriate consent, to access such residents' records concerning care, treatment or services;

      (E) Authority to educate policy makers, consumers and members of the public about issues affecting persons with disabilities;

      (F) Authority to reach out to members of traditionally underserved populations;

      (G) Authority to develop an annual statement of priorities and objectives and to solicit public comment and input on such process; and

      (H) Compliance with federally established confidentiality requirements; and

      (14) Establish an Accessibility Advisory Board with membership comprised of design professionals, persons with disabilities, persons who have family members with disabilities and any other person that the director believes would provide valuable insight and input on matters relating to accessibility. The Accessibility Advisory Board shall meet periodically at such times and places as the director designates, to advise the director on accessibility matters relating to housing, transportation, government programs and services, and any other matters deemed advisable by the director or the board.

      (P.A. 77-589, S. 4, 9; P.A. 78-351, S. 2, 3; P.A. 86-285, S. 1; P.A. 88-356, S. 4; 88-364, S. 56, 123; P.A. 94-87, S. 5; P.A. 03-88, S. 1; P.A. 04-257, S. 72; P.A. 05-288, S. 154; P.A. 06-56, S. 1; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a); P.A. 09-65, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 78-351 added Subdiv. (12) empowering director to make recommendations re applications for waivers from requirements of article 21 of state building code; P.A. 86-285 amended Subdiv. (5) by making a technical change and permitted the director to request and receive information on a developmentally disabled adult under certain conditions enunciated in new Subparas. (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F); P.A. 88-356 and 88-364 amended Subdiv. (12) to delete reference to "article 21" of state building code; P.A. 94-87 changed reference from handicapped persons to persons with disabilities; P.A. 03-88 added new Subdiv. (13) requiring director to ensure that agency operations conform with federal requirements for program independence and authority; P.A. 04-257 made technical changes in Subdiv. (5), effective June 14, 2004; P.A. 05-288 made a technical change in Subdiv. (5)(B), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 06-56 added Subdiv. (14) permitting director to establish Accessibility Advisory Board, appoint board membership and convene meetings of said board; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Department of Mental Retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Department of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007; P.A. 09-65 amended Subdiv. (13) to add Subpara. (H) re director ensuring that agency operations comply with federal confidentiality requirements, effective May 27, 2009.

      See Secs. 42-330 to 42-336, inclusive, re assistive technology devices and regulations adopted by Commissioner of Consumer Protection in consultation with director.

      Sec. 46a-11a. (Formerly Sec. 19a-458). Definitions. For the purposes of sections 46a-11a to 46a-11g, inclusive:

      (1) "Abuse" means the wilful infliction of physical pain or injury or the wilful deprivation by a caretaker of services which are necessary to the person's health or safety;

      (2) "Neglect" means a situation where a person with mental retardation either is living alone and is not able to provide for himself the services which are necessary to maintain his physical and mental health or is not receiving such necessary services from the caretaker;

      (3) "Caretaker" means a person who has the responsibility for the care of a person with mental retardation as a result of a family relationship or who has assumed the responsibility for the care of the person with mental retardation voluntarily, by contract or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Neither a guardian nor a conservator need be a caretaker;

      (4) "Conservator" means a conservator of the person or of the estate appointed pursuant to section 45a-644 to 45a-662, inclusive;

      (5) "Director" means the director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities;

      (6) "Facility" means any public or private hospital, nursing home facility, training school, regional facility, group home, community training home, school or other program serving persons with mental retardation;

      (7) "Guardian" means the guardian or limited guardian of a person with mental retardation appointed pursuant to sections 45a-669 to 45a-684, inclusive;

      (8) "Person with mental retardation" means a person who: (A) Has mental retardation, as defined in section 1-1g, (B) is at least the age of eighteen and under the age of sixty, except for purposes of subsection (b) of section 46a-11c, is eighteen years of age or older, and (C) is substantially unable to protect himself from abuse and includes all such persons living in residential facilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Developmental Services;

      (9) "Protective services" means services provided by the state or any other governmental or private organization or individual which are necessary to prevent abuse or neglect. Such services may include the provision of medical care for physical and mental health needs; the provision of support services in the facility, including the time limited placement of department staff in such facility; the relocation of a person with mental retardation to a facility able to offer such care pursuant to section 17a-210, 17a-274 or 17a-277, as applicable; assistance in personal hygiene; food; clothing; adequately heated and ventilated shelter; protection from health and safety hazards; protection from maltreatment, the result of which includes, but is not limited to, malnutrition, deprivation of necessities or physical punishment; and transportation necessary to secure any of the above-stated services, except that this term shall not include taking such person into custody without consent; and

      (10) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Developmental Services.

      (P.A. 84-514, S. 1, 11; P.A. 86-41, S. 8, 11; 86-285, S. 2; P.A. 89-144, S. 5; P.A. 95-63, S. 1; P.A. 04-12, S. 1; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b).)

      History: P.A. 84-514 effective February 1, 1985; P.A. 86-41 made technical change in definition of "facility"; P.A. 86-285 inserted new Subdiv. (b) defining "neglect", relettering remaining Subdivs. as necessary, and redefined "protective services" to include those necessary to prevent neglect and support services in a facility; P.A. 89-144 amended Subsec. (e) by substituting the office of protection and advocacy for persons with disabilities for the office of protection and advocacy for handicapped and developmentally disabled persons; Sec. 19a-458 transferred to Sec. 46a-11a in 1991; (Revisor's note: In 1993 a reference to repealed Sec. 17-128 was removed editorially by the Revisors); P.A. 95-63 substituted "person with mental retardation" for "mentally retarded person" and made technical changes; P.A. 04-12 redesignated Subdivs. (a) to (j) as Subdivs. (1) to (10), respectively, and redefined "person with mental retardation" in Subdiv. (8) to provide an exception and to add Subpara. designators (Revisor's note: In 2005, a reference in Subdiv. (7) to Sec. 45a-668 was changed editorially by the Revisors to Sec. 45a-669 to reflect the repeal of Sec. 45a-668 by P.A. 04-54); pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Commissioner of Mental Retardation" and "Department of Mental Retardation" were changed editorially by the Revisors to "Commissioner of Developmental Services" and "Department of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.

      Cited. 240 C. 766.

      Sec. 46a-11b. (Formerly Sec. 19a-458a). Reports of suspected abuse or neglect required of certain persons. Report by others. Immunity. Fine. Treatment by Christian Science practitioner. (a) Any physician or surgeon licensed under the provisions of chapter 370, any resident physician or intern in any hospital in this state, whether or not so licensed, any registered nurse, any person paid for caring for persons in any facility and any licensed practical nurse, medical examiner, dental hygienist, dentist, occupational therapist, optometrist, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, social worker, school teacher, school principal, school guidance counselor, school paraprofessional, mental health professional, physician assistant, licensed or certified substance abuse counselor, licensed marital and family therapist, speech and language pathologist, clergyman, police officer, pharmacist, physical therapist, licensed professional counselor or sexual assault counselor or battered women's counselor, as defined in section 52-146k, who has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person with mental retardation has been abused or neglected shall, as soon as practicable but not later than seventy-two hours after such person has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a person with mental retardation has been abused or neglected, report such information or cause a report to be made in any reasonable manner to the director or persons the director designates to receive such reports. Such initial report shall be followed up by a written report not later than five calendar days after the initial report was made. Any person required to report under this subsection who fails to make such report shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.

      (b) Such report shall contain the name and address of the allegedly abused or neglected person, a statement from the person making the report indicating his belief that such person is mentally retarded, information supporting the supposition that such person is substantially unable to protect himself from abuse or neglect, information regarding the nature and extent of the abuse or neglect and any other information which the person making such report believes might be helpful in an investigation of the case and the protection of such person with mental retardation.

      (c) Each facility, as defined in section 46a-11a, shall inform residents of their rights and the staff of their responsibility to report abuse or neglect and shall establish appropriate policies and procedures to facilitate such reporting.

      (d) Any other person having reasonable cause to believe that a person with mental retardation is being or has been abused or neglected may report such information, in any reasonable manner, to the director or to his designee.

      (e) Any person who makes any report pursuant to sections 46a-11a to 46a-11g, inclusive, or who testifies in any administrative or judicial proceeding arising from such report shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability on account of such report or testimony, except for liability for perjury, unless such person acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose. Any person who obstructs, hinders or endangers any person reporting or investigating abuse or neglect or providing protective services or who makes a report in bad faith or with malicious purpose and who is not subject to any other penalty shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars. No resident or employee of a facility, as defined in section 46a-11a, shall be subject to reprisal or discharge because of his actions in reporting pursuant to sections 46a-11a to 46a-11g, inclusive.

      (f) For purposes of said sections, the treatment of any person with mental retardation by a Christian Science practitioner, in lieu of treatment by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts, shall not of itself constitute grounds for the implementation of protective services.

      (g) When the director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities or persons designated by such director are required to investigate or monitor abuse or neglect reports that are referred to the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities from another agency, all provisions of this section shall apply to any investigation or monitoring of such case or report.

      (P.A. 84-514, S. 2, 11; P.A. 86-285, S. 3; P.A. 93-340, S. 8, 19; P.A. 95-63, S. 2; 95-289, S. 6; P.A. 96-186, S. 2; P.A. 99-102, S. 46; P.A. 04-12, S. 2; P.A. 05-272, S. 28.)

      History: P.A. 84-514 effective February 1, 1985; P.A. 86-285 applied provisions to cases of suspected neglect, deleted in Subsec. (a) the requirement that the facility serve mentally retarded persons, deleted requirement in Subsec. (d) that report be written and added in Subsec. (e) a provision that a person may be fined for obstructing, hindering or endangering any person reporting or investigating abuse and neglect or providing protective services; Sec. 19a-458a transferred to Sec. 46a-11b in 1991; P.A. 93-340 amended Subsec. (a) to add school principals, school guidance counselors, school paraprofessionals, mental health professionals, physician assistants, Connecticut certified substance abuse counselors, Connecticut certified marital and family therapists, sexual assault counselors and battered women's counselors to list of persons required to report suspected abuse or neglect, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-63 substituted "person with mental retardation" for "mentally retarded person"; P.A. 95-289 changed marital and family therapists from "Connecticut certified" to "licensed"; P.A. 96-186 added Subsec. (g) concerning applicability of section to Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities; P.A. 99-102 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting "Connecticut" and adding "licensed or" before "certified", deleting obsolete reference to osteopathy and to chapter 371 and made a technical change; P.A. 04-12 amended Subsec. (a) by adding "licensed professional counselor" to list of persons required to report suspected abuse, changing time frame for making initial report of suspected abuse to not later than 72 hours after person suspects or has reason to believe abuse has occurred and specifying that written report is required not later than five calendar days after initial report was made; P.A. 05-272 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing "speech pathologist" with "speech and language pathologist" and by making technical changes.

      Sec. 46a-11c. (Formerly Sec. 19a-458b). Determination of mental retardation and probable cause for investigation. Investigation of certain deaths. Registry of reports maintained. Reports not public records. (a) The director, upon receiving a report that a person with mental retardation allegedly is being or has been abused or neglected, shall make an initial determination whether such person has mental retardation, shall determine if the report warrants investigation and shall cause, in cases that so warrant, a prompt, thorough evaluation to be made to determine whether the person has mental retardation and has been abused or neglected. For the purposes of sections 46a-11a to 46a-11g, inclusive, the determination of mental retardation may be made by means of a review of records and shall not require the director to conduct a full psychological examination of the person. Any delay in making such determination of mental retardation shall not delay the investigation of abuse or neglect or recommendation of provision of protective services. The evaluation shall include a visit to the named person with mental retardation and consultation with those individuals having knowledge of the facts of the particular case. All state, local and private agencies shall have a duty to cooperate with any investigation conducted by the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities under this section, including the release of complete client records for review, inspection and copying, except where the person with mental retardation refuses to permit his or her record to be released. The director shall have subpoena powers to compel any information related to such investigation. All client records shall be kept confidential by said office. Upon completion of the evaluation of each case, written findings shall be prepared which shall include a determination of whether abuse or neglect has occurred and recommendations as to whether protective services are needed. The director, except in cases where the parent or guardian is the alleged perpetrator of abuse or is residing with the alleged perpetrator, shall notify the parents or guardian, if any, of the person with mental retardation if a report of abuse or neglect is made which the director determines warrants investigation. The director shall provide the parents or guardians who the director determines are entitled to such information with further information upon request. The person filing the report of abuse or neglect shall be notified of the findings upon request.

      (b) In cases where there is a death of a person with mental retardation for whom the Department of Developmental Services has direct or oversight responsibility for medical care, and there is reasonable cause to suspect or believe that such death may be due to abuse or neglect, the Commissioner of Developmental Services shall notify the director or the director's designee not later than twenty-four hours after the commissioner determines that there is reasonable cause to suspect or believe that such death may be due to abuse or neglect and the director shall conduct an investigation to determine whether abuse or neglect occurred, except as may be otherwise required by court order. The director, in consultation with the Commissioner of Developmental Services, shall establish protocols for conducting such investigations.

      (c) The director shall maintain a state-wide registry of the reports received, the evaluation and findings and actions recommended.

      (d) Neither the original report nor the evaluation report of the investigator which includes findings and recommendations shall be deemed a public record for purposes of section 1-210. The name of the person making the original report shall not be disclosed to any person unless the person making the original report consents to such disclosure or unless a judicial proceeding results therefrom.

      (P.A. 84-514, S. 3, 11; P.A. 86-285, S. 4; P.A. 89-144, S. 6; P.A. 95-63, S. 3; P.A. 03-146, S. 3; P.A. 04-12, S. 3; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b).)

      History: P.A. 84-514 effective February 1, 1985; P.A. 86-285 applied provisions to cases involving neglect, authorized director to refrain from notifying a parent or guardian where either is the alleged perpetrator and made technical changes; P.A. 89-144 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting the office of protection and advocacy for persons with disabilities for the office of protection and advocacy for handicapped and developmentally disabled persons; Sec. 19a-458b transferred to Sec. 46a-11c in 1991; P.A. 95-63 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting "person with mental retardation" for "mentally retarded person"; P.A. 03-146 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions requiring director to investigate death of a person in certain cases and making technical changes for the purpose of gender neutrality; P.A. 04-12 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re investigation of death of person with mental retardation, added new Subsec. (b) re procedure to be followed in cases where person with mental retardation for whom Department of Mental Retardation has direct or oversight responsibility for medical care dies as a result of suspected abuse or neglect and redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) and (c) as new Subsecs. (c) and (d), respectively; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Commissioner of Mental Retardation" and "Department of Mental Retardation" were changed editorially by the Revisors to "Commissioner of Developmental Services" and "Department of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.

      Sec. 46a-11d. (Formerly Sec. 19a-458c). Protective services. Petition in Superior Court. (a) If it is determined that a person with mental retardation has been abused or neglected, the director shall refer the case to the Department of Developmental Services for the development and implementation of a plan of protective services. Said referral shall be accompanied by a copy of the evaluation report. The name of the person making the report of abuse or neglect shall not be disclosed without his consent.

      (b) If the caretaker of a person with mental retardation who has consented to the receipt of protective services refuses to allow the provision of such services to such person, the commissioner may petition the Superior Court for an order enjoining the caretaker from interfering with the provision of protective services to the person with mental retardation. The petition shall allege specific facts sufficient to show that the person with mental retardation is in need of protective services and consents to their provision and that the caretaker refuses to allow the provision of such services. If the court finds that the person with mental retardation is in need of such services and has been prevented by the caretaker from receiving the same, the court may issue an order enjoining the caretaker from interfering with the provision of protective services to the person with mental retardation.

      (P.A. 84-514, S. 4, 11; P.A. 86-285, S. 5; P.A. 95-63, S. 4; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a).)

      History: P.A. 84-514 effective February 1, 1985; P.A. 86-285 amended section to apply in cases of neglect rather than where a person has been determined to be "in need of protective services" and made technical change in Subsec. (a); Sec. 19a-458c transferred to Sec. 46a-11d in 1991; P.A. 95-63 substituted "person with mental retardation" for "mentally retarded person"; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Department of Mental Retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Department of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.

      Sec. 46a-11e. (Formerly Sec. 19a-458d). Appointment of guardian. Plan of protective services furnished to director. Commencement of services pending full report in certain cases. (a) If a person with mental retardation does not consent to the receipt of protective services, or if such person withdraws his consent, such services shall not be provided or continued, except that if the commissioner has reason to believe that such person with mental retardation lacks capacity to consent to or refuse such services, he may petition the Probate Court for the appointment of a guardian. If any guardian, appointed pursuant to the provisions of this section, does not consent to the provision of such services, the commissioner may petition the Probate Court for the removal and replacement of said guardian.

      (b) The commissioner, within fifteen calendar days of the referral of any case for the provision of protective services, shall furnish the director with a written plan of services. The director may comment on the proposed plan and recommend modifications. The commissioner shall cooperate with the director in resolving disagreements concerning the plan. Any comments made by the director shall be placed on file with the commissioner and the director.

      (c) If the director commences an investigation and finds that the person with mental retardation is seriously in need of immediate protective services, he shall report the facts of the case to the commissioner and the commissioner shall not delay the commencement of protective services pending the full evaluation report. If the commissioner's proposed action involves the removal from his home of a person with mental retardation under guardianship or of a person with mental retardation who is competent and does not voluntarily consent to his removal, the commissioner shall follow the procedures mandated in section 17a-274.

      (P.A. 84-514, S. 5, 11; P.A. 86-285, S. 6; P.A. 95-63, S. 5; P.A. 04-12, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 84-514 effective February 1, 1985; P.A. 86-285 added Subsec. (c) concerning the duties of the director and commissioner when the director finds that the mentally retarded person is in need of immediate protective services; Sec. 19a-458d transferred to Sec. 46a-11e in 1991; P.A. 95-63 substituted "person with mental retardation" for "mentally retarded person"; P.A. 04-12 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting references to Secs. 19a-448(k) and 46a-11a(b) and adding reference to Sec. 17a-274 re procedures governing involuntary placement of a person with mental retardation.

      Sec. 46a-11f. (Formerly Sec. 19a-458e). Evaluation of person's ability to pay. Review of plan of protective services. (a) Concurrent with the implementation of any protective services for which payment is required, an evaluation shall be undertaken by the commissioner regarding the ability of the person with mental retardation to pay for the protective services. If the person is so able, procedures for reimbursement for the cost of providing the services shall be initiated. If it is determined that the person is not capable of paying for such services, the services shall be provided in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Commissioner of Developmental Services.

      (b) Subsequent to the initial provision of protective services, the Department of Developmental Services shall review each case, including meeting with the person with mental retardation at least once every six months, to determine whether continuation or modification of the services is warranted. Said department shall advise the director relative to the continuation of protective services for each such person with mental retardation. The commissioner may terminate protective services upon the request of the person with mental retardation or his guardian, pursuant to section 46a-11e, or upon agreement by the commissioner and the director that such services are no longer required.

      (c) In performing the duties set forth in sections 46a-11c to 46a-11g, inclusive, the director may request the assistance of the staffs and resources of all appropriate state departments, agencies, commissions and local health directors, and may utilize any other public or private agencies, groups or individuals who are appropriate and may be available.

      (P.A. 84-514, S. 6-8, 11; P.A. 95-63, S. 6; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b).)

      History: P.A. 84-514 effective February 1, 1985; Sec. 19a-458e transferred to Sec. 46a-11f in 1991; P.A. 95-63 substituted "person with mental retardation" for "mentally retarded person"; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Commissioner of Mental Retardation" and "Department of Mental Retardation" were changed editorially by the Revisors to "Commissioner of Developmental Services" and "Department of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.

      Sec. 46a-11g. (Formerly Sec. 19a-458f). Referral of information to state's attorney. If, as a result of any investigation initiated under the provisions of sections 46a-11a to 46a-11f, inclusive, a determination is made that a caretaker or other person has abused a person with mental retardation, the director shall refer such information in writing to the appropriate office of the state's attorney, which shall conduct such further investigation as may be deemed necessary and shall determine whether criminal proceedings should be initiated against such caretaker or other person, in accordance with applicable state law. If any initial investigation by the director discloses evidence of an immediate and serious threat to the health or life of a person with mental retardation, said office shall immediately refer the matter to state or local police, as appropriate, who shall immediately investigate the matter.

      (P.A. 84-514, S. 9, 11; P.A. 95-63, S. 7.)

      History: P.A. 84-514 effective February 1, 1985; Sec. 19a-458f transferred to Sec. 46a-11g in 1991; P.A. 95-63 substituted "person with mental retardation" for "mentally retarded person".

      Sec. 46a-11h. Confidentiality of information. The name and address of and other personally identifiable information concerning a person whose death or serious injury is reported to the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities pursuant to section 46a-153, the name and address of and other personally identifiable information concerning any person who provides information obtained by the office in the course of an investigation of any such report, and all confidential records obtained by the office in the course of any such investigation shall be confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the office from disclosing personally identifiable or confidential information with the consent of a person authorized by law to consent to the release of such information or from issuing reports to the public or providing information to policy-making bodies that contain statistical data, analysis or case studies, provided the office shall not disclose the identity of any person with disabilities or any means of discovering such identity.

      (P.A. 00-97.)

      Sec. 46a-12. Communications protected by attorney-client privilege. All communications between an individual and any attorney employed or engaged by the advocacy office working on behalf of such individual shall be fully protected by the attorney-client privilege to the same extent and degree as though counsel had been engaged privately. This privilege shall in no way preclude the use by the advocacy office of material in its files for the preparation and disclosure of statistical, case study and other sociological data, provided that in any such use there shall be no disclosure of an individual's identity or means of discovering such identity.

      (P.A. 77-589, S. 6, 9.)

      Sec. 46a-13. Reporting requirements. The advocacy office and advocacy board shall report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and the Governor no later than March 1, 1978, and thereafter annually on or before December first, and at any other time upon request of the Governor or the General Assembly, concerning the status of services for persons with disabilities and the operation of both the advocacy board and office and shall make recommendations, administrative and legislative, concerning the protection of the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities living in Connecticut.

      (P.A. 77-589, S. 7, 9; P.A. 82-314, S. 62, 63; P.A. 94-87, S. 6.)

      History: P.A. 82-314 changed official name of human services committee; P.A. 94-87 changed reference from "Connecticut's handicapped residents" to "persons with disabilities living in Connecticut".

      Sec. 46a-13a. Requirements for other agencies. Release of client records by other agencies. Each state, local or private agency responsible for the protection of persons with disabilities shall cooperate with any investigation conducted by the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities and shall release client records for review and inspection by said office. No such state, local or private agency shall release the records of a client without the express consent of such client or as otherwise provided by law.

      (P.A. 96-186, S. 3.)