Client Rights: Community Grievance Decision Digest
This digest lists past state decisions on patient rights complaints. It includes laws and rules for each right. It also describes the facts and the outcome of the decision.
The goal is to give guidance for future decisions. People receiving services can use a past decision when filing a complaint. Providers can use a past decision to guide a response.
We’ve organized cases by the decision date (not the case number). If you see “emphasis added,” it means we’ve highlighted certain words so they’re easier to find.
The digest applies to those receiving certain services:
- Developmental disability
- Mental health
- Substance use
This digest doesn’t apply to people receiving services at state-run facilities.
The Client Rights Office can’t provide copies of these decision precedents. If you have a question, contact us.
Learn more in the Introduction to the Community Grievance Decision Digest (PDF)
Dignity and respect issues
- Abuse (PDF)
- Arbitrary decisions (PDF)
- Choices (PDF)
- Civil rights (PDF)
- Conflicts between peers (PDF)
- Dignity and respect (PDF)
- Discrimination (PDF)
- Sexual harassment (PDF)
- Staff/client conflicts (PDF)
Discharges and transfers
- Discharge from outpatient treatment (PDF)
- Discharge of voluntary patients (PDF)
- Least restrictive conditions (PDF)
- Transfers (PDF)
Financial issues
Grievance process issues
- Access to grievance process (PDF)
- Burden of proof (PDF)
- Credibility of witnesses (PDF)
- Evidence (PDF)
- Grievability (PDF)
- Mootness (PDF)
- Procedural issues (PDF)
- Resolutions and remedies (PDF)
- Retaliation for complaining prohibited (PDF)
Inpatient issues
- Aesthetics, hygiene, and sanitation (PDF)
- Businesses run by patients (PDF)
- Clothing and laundry (PDF)
- Dayroom Activities (TV, radio, etc.) (PDF)
- Exercise and recreation (PDF)
- Food, meals, and diets (PDF)
- Humane physical environment (PDF)
- Liberty and security level issues (PDF)
- Mail (PDF)
- Management of the facility (PDF)
- Physical health care (PDF)
- Possessions—limits on (PDF)
- Possessions—lost or damaged (PDF)
- Restrictive measures (PDF)
- Religious worship (PDF)
- Risk-reduction measures (PDF)
- Rules and sanctions (PDF)
- Safety (PDF)
- Searches of people and possessions (PDF)
- Security measures (PDF)
- Sexual material (PDF)
- Sleep disturbances (PDF)
- Social contact (PDF)
- Storage space (PDF)
- Telephone calls (PDF)
- Toileting and grooming (PDF)
- Visitors (PDF)
- Wages for work (PDF)
Legal issues
- Access to courts and legal system (PDF)
- Due process of law (PDF)
- Equal protection of law (PDF)
- Legal mail (PDF)
Privacy issues
- Drug testing (PDF)
- Filming and taping (PDF)
- Privacy (PDF)
- Toileting and bathing (PDF)
- Access to records (PDF)
- Confidentiality (PDF)
- Corrections of records (PDF)
- Documentation requirement (PDF)
Rights issues
- Assistance exercising rights (PDF)
- Consents (PDF)
- Client rights limitations or denials (PDF)
- Guardianships (PDF)