(a) Transportation. The administrator must assure the provision of transportation for the residents to necessary resources and activities, including transportation to the nearest appropriate health facilities, social services agencies, shopping and recreational facilities, and religious activities of the resident’s choice. The resident is not to be charged any additional fee for this service. Sources of transportation may include community resources, public systems, volunteer programs, family members as well as facility vehicles.
(b) Mail.
(1) Residents shall receive their mail promptly and it must be unopened unless there is a written, witnessed request authorizing management staff to open and read mail to the resident. This request must be recorded on Form DSS‑1865, the Resident Register or the equivalent;
(2) Outgoing mail written by a resident shall not be censored; and
(3) Residents shall be encouraged and assisted, if necessary, to correspond by mail with close relatives and friends. Residents shall have access to writing materials, stationery and postage and, upon request, the home is to provide such items at cost. It is not the home’s obligation to pay for these items.
(c) Laundry.
(1) Laundry services must be provided to residents without any additional fee; and
(2) It is not the home’s obligation to pay for a resident’s personal dry cleaning. The resident’s plans for personal care of clothing are to be indicated on Form DSS‑1865, the Resident Register.
(d) Telephone.
(1) A telephone must be available in a location providing privacy for residents to make and receive a reasonable number of calls of a reasonable length;
(2) A pay station telephone is not acceptable for local calls; and
(3) It is not the home’s obligation to pay for a resident’s toll calls.
(e) Personal Lockable Space.
(1) Personal lockable space must be provided for each resident to secure his personal valuables. One key shall be provided free of charge to the resident. Additional keys are to be provided to residents at cost upon request. It is not the home’s obligation to pay for additional keys; and
(2) While a resident may elect not to use lockable space, it must still be available in the home since the resident may change his mind. This space shall be accessible only to the resident and the administrator or supervisor‑in‑charge. The administrator or supervisor‑in‑charge must determine at admission whether the resident desires lockable space, but the resident may change his mind at any time.
(f) Visiting.
(1) Visiting in the home and community at reasonable hours shall be encouraged and arranged through the mutual prior understanding of the residents and administrator;
(2) There must be at least 10 hours each day for visitation in the home by persons from the community. If a home has established visiting hours or any restrictions on visitation, information about the hours and any restrictions must be included in the house rules given to each resident at the time of admission and posted conspicuously in the home;
(3) A signout register must be maintained for planned visiting and other scheduled absences which indicates the resident’s departure time, expected time of return and the name and telephone number of the responsible party;
(4) If the whereabouts of a resident are unknown and there is reason to be concerned about his safety, the person in charge in the home must immediately notify the resident’s responsible person, the appropriate law enforcement agency and the county department of social services.