37-4-109. Establishment of patients and staff complaint procedure; final decisionmakers; right of administrative appeal; complaint procedures as alternative to legal remedies.

The department shall establish procedures whereby complaints of the client or complaints of the staff concerning admission, treatment, or habilitation can be speedily heard. Clients shall receive reasonable notice of such procedures. Final decisions shall be made by the superintendent, the regional state hospital administrator, or an advisory committee, whichever is appropriate, with the right of appeal to the commissioner or his or her designee. The board shall establish rules and regulations for the implementation of such procedures. However, the client shall not be required to utilize these procedures in lieu of other available legal remedies.