(1) For purposes of any rules promulgated by the state department or state board and any action taken by the state department against any person, "retaliation" means taking any of the following actions against a recipient or someone acting on behalf of a recipient after the recipient or someone acting on behalf of the recipient files a complaint concerning services provided or not provided to the recipient:
Indicating to a recipient that the recipient cannot have an advocate, family member,or other authorized representative assist the recipient; or
(I) An adverse action that negatively affects a recipient's level of eligibility for orreceipt of services received at the time of the complaint without verification of a change in the recipient's income, resources, or health care needs that justifies the adverse action.
(II) No adverse action shall be taken against a recipient after a complaint has been filed until the recipient is notified of the proposed action, informed of the reason for the proposed action, and provided an opportunity to appeal the proposed action.
(2) "Retaliation" shall not include instances where a recipient is not eligible for a service or program or where a provider documents a problem with a recipient and shares the documentation with the recipient or a third party prior to the recipient filing a complaint.
Source: L. 2006: Entire section added, p. 1019, § 1, effective May 25.
Editor's note: This section was originally numbered as § 26-4-402.5 in House Bill 061211. Section 2 of the act provided for the renumbering and relocation of § 26-4-402.5 to this section. (See L. 2006, p. 1020.)