Sec. 1386.19 Definitions.

As used in Secs. 1386.20, 1386.21, 1386.22 and 1386.25 of this Part the following definitions apply: Abuse means any act or failure to act which was performed, or which was failed to be performed, knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally, and which caused, or may have caused, injury or death to an individual with developmental disabilities, and includes such acts as: Verbal, nonverbal, mental and emotional harassment; rape or sexual assault; striking; the use of excessive force when placing such an individual in bodily restraints; the use of bodily or chemical restraints which is not in compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations or any other practice which is likely to cause immediate physical or psychological harm or result in long term harm if such practices continue.

Complaint includes, but is not limited to any report or communication, whether formal or informal, written or oral, received by the system including media accounts, newspaper articles, telephone calls (including anonymous calls), from any source alleging abuse or neglect of an individual with a developmental disability. Designating Official means the Governor or other State official, who is empowered by the Governor or State legislature to designate the State official or public or private agency to be accountable for the proper use of funds by and conduct of the State Protection and Advocacy agency. Facility includes any setting that provides care, treatment, services and habilitation, even if only "as needed" or under a contractual arrangement. Facilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Community living arrangements (e.g., group homes, board and care homes, individual residences and aPartments), day programs, juvenile detention centers, hospitals, nursing homes, homeless shelters, jails and prisons.

Full Investigation means access to facilities, clients and records authorized under these regulations, that is necessary for a protection and advocacy (P&A) system to make a determination about whether alleged or suspected instances of abuse and neglect are taking place or have taken place. Full investigations may be conducted independently or in cooperation with other agencies authorized to conduct similar investigations.

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Legal Guardian, conservator and legal representative all mean an individual appointed and regularly reviewed by a State court or agency empowered under State law to appoint and review such officers and having authority to make all decisions on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities. It does not include persons acting only as a representative payee, person acting only to handle financial payments, attorneys or other persons acting on behalf of an individual with developmental disabilities only in individual legal matters, or officials responsible for the provision of treatment or habilitation services to an individual with developmental disabilities or their designees.

Neglect means a negligent act or omission by an individual responsible for providing treatment or habilitation services which caused or may have caused injury or death to an individual with developmental disabilities or which placed an individual with developmental disabilities at risk of injury or death, and includes acts or omissions such as failure to: establish or carry out an appropriate individual program plan or treatment plan (including a discharge plan); provide adequate nutrition, clothing, or health care to an individual with developmental disabilities; provide a safe environment which also includes failure to maintain adequate numbers of trained staff.

Probable cause means a reasonable ground for belief that an individual with developmental disabilities has been, or may be, subject to abuse or neglect. The individual making such determination may base the decision on reasonable inferences drawn from his or her experience or training regarding similar incidents, conditions or problems that are usually associated with abuse or neglect.

[61 FR 51155, Sept. 30, 1996]