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N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-144.3 - Declaration of home care clients' rights

North CarolinastatuteNorth Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation (Medical Care Commission)

What this rule requires your agency to do

  • 1The agency must treat each client with respect, consideration, dignity, and full recognition of his or her individuality and right to privacy. (G.S. 131E-144.3(2))(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-144.3 - Declaration of home care clients' rights)
  • 2The agency must provide each client a written statement of services provided by the agency and the charges the client is liable for paying. (G.S. 131E-144.3(7))(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-144.3 - Declaration of home care clients' rights)
  • 3The agency must allow each client to be informed of and to participate in his or her plan of care. (G.S. 131E-144.3(1))(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-144.3 - Declaration of home care clients' rights)
  • 4The agency must allow clients to voice grievances about care without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal for doing so. (G.S. 131E-144.3(4))(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-144.3 - Declaration of home care clients' rights)
  • 5The agency must ensure each client is free of mental and physical abuse, neglect, and exploitation. (G.S. 131E-144.3(6))(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-144.3 - Declaration of home care clients' rights)
  • 6The agency must notify the client within 10 days when the agency's license has been revoked, suspended, canceled, annulled, withdrawn, recalled, or amended. (G.S. 131E-144.3(14))(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-144.3 - Declaration of home care clients' rights)
  • 7The agency must furnish each client with written notice of the client's rights and responsibilities prior to or during the initial evaluation visit, and maintain documentation demonstrating that all clients received this information. (10A NCAC 13J .1007(a); G.S. 131E-144.3)(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-144.3 - Declaration of home care clients' rights)
  • 8The agency must keep each client's personal and medical records confidential and not disclose them except as permitted or required by applicable State or federal law. (G.S. 131E-144.3(5))(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-144.3 - Declaration of home care clients' rights)

Applies to: home care / personal care (in-home)

North Carolina's Home Care Clients' Rights statute (G.S. 131E-144.3) enumerates 15 client rights that licensed home care agencies must honor, covering participation in the plan of care, dignity and privacy, confidentiality of records, freedom from abuse/neglect/exploitation, grievances without reprisal, written statement of services and charges, and notice of agency policies. The implementing rule 10A NCAC 13J .1007 requires agencies to furnish clients written notice of these rights prior to or during the initial evaluation visit and to document that all clients received the information.

Regulatory information, not legal advice — always confirm against the cited official source. Verification reduces error; it does not certify compliance.