CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 55(HSS)

• Expands mental health patient rights to include dignity and respect, confidentiality of records, individualized treatment plans with patient involvement, informed consent, freedom from seclusion and restraint, and access to a patient advocate.

• Establishes impartial call centers operated by the department to receive, track, and refer mental health patient grievances at no charge and at all times.

• Creates a three-level grievance review process: level one (supervisory staff review within facility), level two (CEO/commissioner review within five business days), and level three (commissioner appeal within 30 calendar days with possible superior court appeal).

• Requires facilities to provide standardized grievance forms, maintain complete grievance records, and file quarterly reports with the department on grievance numbers, issues, and resolutions.

• Presumes attorney fee imposition on grievants in court appeals would cause substantial hardship, limiting court discretion in awarding fees against patients challenging grievance decisions.