2806

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 371

(j) To a reasonable extent, a resident of a facility
shall have the right to possess and use clothing and other
personal effects and to have security for those effects.

(k) A resident of a facility may not be assigned to do
any work for the facility without personal consent and
without written approval of the attending physician of the
resident.

(1) A resident of a facility shall receive a
reasonable response from an administrator or staff to a
personal request of the resident.

(m) (1) A resident of a facility shall enjoy privacy
in the room of the resident.

(2) Unless the staff member knows that the
resident is asleep, the member shall knock on the door
before the member enters the room of the resident.

(n) The administrator of a facility is responsible for
carrying out this section.

(o) (1) A resident of a facility or the next of kin or
guardian of the person of a resident may file a complaint
about an alleged violation of this section.

(2)  The complaint may be filed with the State
Office on Aging or the Department.

(3)  The Director on Aging shall:

(i) Investigate the complaint; and

(ii) After the investigation, report the
findings to the complainant.

(4)  After receipt of the report, the complainant
shall be given an opportunity for a hearing in accordance
with the rules and regulations that the Department adopts.

(p) If a resident is adjudicated a disabled person, is
found to be medically incompetent by the attending physician
of the resident, or is unable to communicate with others,
the rights of the resident may be exercised by:

(1)  The next of kin of the resident;

(2)  Guardian THE GUARDIAN of the person of the
resident;

(3)  The sponsoring agency of the resident; or