Rhode Island General Laws Title 40.1. Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals § 40.1-24.5-1. Definitions

(1) “Community residence” means a place, such as a group home, however named, licensed pursuant to chapter 24 of this title for the purpose of providing rehabilitation, psychological support, skills training, social guidance, and living accommodations to individuals who are mentally disabled, as defined by § 40.1-5-2;  provided, however, that this definition shall not be deemed to include places, however named, for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or persons with substance use disorders.

(2) “Director” means the head or the chief administrative officer of the community residence, or the director’s designee.

(3) “Grievance procedure” means the formalized process mandated by § 40.1-24.5-8 to enable residents to register alleged violations of the resident's rights assured by §§ 40.1-24.5-5 and 40.1-24.5-6.

(4) “Individualized service plan” means the document that sets forth specific services, such as vocational, social, medical, psychiatric, and rehabilitative, that are structured to accomplish and express short- and long-term goals and objectives responsive to the individual needs of the resident.

(5) “Mental health advocate” means and refers to the individual appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate in accordance with § 40.1-5-14 and to the advocate’s duly appointed assistants.

(6) “Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, or association and the legal successors in interest thereof.

(7) “Resident” means an individual of lawful age admitted to a community residence.