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RSA 171-A:14 · Rights of Developmentally Disabled Persons

Title
XII: PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE
Chapter
171-A · SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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171-A:14 Rights of Developmentally Disabled Persons. –

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I.

No person shall be deemed incompetent to manage his or her affairs, to contract, to hold professional, occupational or vehicle operator's licenses, to vote, to marry or to make a will solely by reason of his or her developmental disability or of his or her participation in the service delivery system, nor shall department rules restrict such rights. The client's right to individual dignity shall be respected at all times and upon all occasions.

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II.

A client in a residential service shall be provided with stationery and postage in reasonable amounts and shall have free and unrestricted mailing privileges.

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III.

A client shall have the right to be visited at all reasonable times unless the administrator determines that such a visit would adversely affect the client. Any denial of visiting rights and the reasons for such denial shall be entered in the client's record and may be subject to the review of the human rights committee established under RSA 171-A:17.

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IV.

A client in a residential service shall have the right to wear his or her own clothes, to keep and use his or her own personal possessions including toilet articles, to keep and be allowed to spend his or her own money, to have access to individual storage space for private use, to have reasonable access to telephones to make and receive confidential calls and any other rights specified by rules of the department; provided, however, that any of these rights may be denied for good cause by the administrator or designee. Any denial of these rights and the reasons for such denial shall be entered in the client's record and may be subject to the review of the human rights committee established under RSA 171-A:17.

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V.

The commissioner may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to the protection of the rights, dignity, autonomy and integrity of clients, including specific procedures to protect the rights established in this chapter. Source. 1975, 242:1. 1979, 322:2, I. 1981, 492:27. 1987, 206:2. 1995, 310:172, 175. 2001, 101:13, eff. Aug. 20, 2001.

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Source note

Source. 1975, 242:1. 1979, 322:2, I. 1981, 492:27. 1987, 206:2. 1995, 310:172, 175. 2001, 101:13, eff. Aug. 20, 2001.

Source history

  • 1975, 242:1
  • 1979, 322:2, I
  • 1981, 492:27
  • 1987, 206:2
  • 1995, 310:172, 175
  • 2001, 101:13, eff. Aug. 20, 2001

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1215 amend

    Short Title. Section 2 of this act shall be known as “Grace’s Law”. 2 New Section; Services for the Developmentally Disabled; Right to Preferred Method of Communication. Amend RSA 171-A by inserting after section 4 the following new section: 171-A:4-a Right to Preferred Method of Communication. I. An individual with a communication disability who is receiving services under this chapter shall have

  • 2026 SB142 reference · effective 2026-01-01

    ed in this section, administration of federal and state family support and assistance programs pursuant to RSA 167, and assistance to developmentally disabled children pursuant to RSA 171-A; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter or RSA 167 shall be construed as authorizing any public official, agent, or representative, in carrying out any of the provisions of this chapter or RSA 167 to take charg

  • 2026 SB142-FN reference · effective 2026-01-01

    ed in this section, administration of federal and state family support and assistance programs pursuant to RSA 167, and assistance to developmentally disabled children pursuant to RSA 171-A; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter or RSA 167 shall be construed as authorizing any public official, agent, or representative, in carrying out any of the provisions of this chapter or RSA 167 to take charg

  • 2026 SB670 amend · effective 2026-07-01

    nerable adults. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Subdivision; Developmental Services Oversight Commission. Amend RSA 171-A by inserting after section 34 the following new subdivision: Developmental Services Oversight Commission 171-A:35 Developmental Services Oversight Commission. I. There is established the developmental services

  • 2026 SB670-FN-A amend · effective 2026-07-01

    nerable adults. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Subdivision; Developmental Services Oversight Commission. Amend RSA 171-A by inserting after section 34 the following new subdivision: Developmental Services Oversight Commission 171-A:35 Developmental Services Oversight Commission. I. There is established the developmental services

  • 2025 HB2 reference

    iduals as set forth in RSA 151-E:28. In the event these funds are not fully expended for this population, the department shall have the authority to use said funds to fund services for individuals served under RSA 171-A, RSA 161-F:52, and RSA 135-C. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 141:434 Effective Date. Sections 432 and 433 of this act sha

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