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C. Both the chief advocate and all other advocates shall be | classified state employees. |
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| | 3. Duties. The Office of Advocacy, through the chief | advocate and the other advocates, office of advocacy shall: |
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| A. Receive or refer complaints made by clients of the | department and represent the interests of clients in any | matter pertaining to the rights and dignity of clients; |
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| B. Intercede on behalf of these clients with officials of | the institutions, facilities and agencies administered, | licensed or funded by the department, except that the Office | of Advocacy office of advocacy may refuse to take action on | any complaint which that it deems considers to be trivial or | moot or for which there is clearly another remedy available; |
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| C. Assist clients in any hearing or grievance proceeding of | the department; |
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| D. Refer clients to other agencies or entities for the | purpose of advocating for the rights and dignity of these | persons; |
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| E. Act as an information source regarding the rights of all | clients, keeping itself informed about all laws, | administrative rules and institutional and other policies | relating to the rights and dignity of the clients and about | relevant legal decisions and other developments related to | the field of mental health and mental retardation, both in | this State and in other parts of the country; and |
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| F. Make and publish reports necessary to the performance of | the duties described in this section. The chief advocate | office of advocacy may report findings of the office to | groups outside the department, such as legislative bodies, | advisory committees, commissions, law enforcement agencies | and the press, and may authorize the advocates in the Office | of Advocacy to so communicate. At least annually, the chief | advocate office of advocacy shall report both in person and | in writing to the joint standing committee of the | Legislature having jurisdiction over mental health and | mental retardation; and. |
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| G. Negotiate joint working agreements with the Department of | Human Services concerning procedures and respective | responsibilities for conducting investigations in state | institutions of allegations of abuse pursuant to the Child |
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