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subsection 8 and Title 34-B, section 1409 and that repeal Title 34- | B, chapter 5, subchapter 3, Article 1 take effect October 1, 2005. |
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| | Sec. OO-1. 34-B MRSA §1001, sub-§4-A is enacted to read: |
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| | 4-A.__Office of advocacy.__"Office of advocacy" means a | private entity contracted with by the commissioner to perform the | duties described in section 1205. |
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| | Sec. OO-2. 34-B MRSA §1205, as amended by 1995, c. 560, Pt. K, §18, | is further amended to read: |
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| §1205. Office of advocacy |
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| | 1. Establishment. The Office of Advocacy is established | within the Office of Advocacy and Consumer Affairs of the | department commissioner shall contract with a private entity to | perform the functions of an office of advocacy solely to | investigate the claims of rights violations and grievances of | clients of the department, to investigate with the Department of | Human Services, as appropriate, all allegations of adult and | child abuse in state institutions and to advocate on behalf of | clients for compliance by any institution, other facility or | agency administered, licensed or funded by the department to | serve a client with all laws, administrative rules and | institutional and other policies relating to the rights and | dignity of clients. |
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| | 1-A.__Terms of contract.__The commissioner may impose | standards of contract performance upon the entity contracted to | perform as the office of advocacy to ensure that the entity | manages and accounts for contract funds appropriately, reports to | the department on the results achieved for clients and represents | all clients effectively and appropriately within the limits of | state and federal law. |
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| | 2. Chief advocate. A chief advocate shall direct and | coordinate the program of the office. |
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| A. The chief advocate shall report administratively to the | commissioner and advise, consult with and inform the | commissioner on the issues described in this section. |
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| B. The chief advocate shall select other advocates needed | to carry out the intent of this section who shall report | only to the chief advocate. |
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