04-R
211
2004 -- S 2195 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 04/29/04
S E N A T E R
E S O L U T I O N
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF
MENTAL HEALTH, RETARDATION AND
HOSPITALS TO STUDY THE
GUARDIANSHIP NEEDS OF GROUP HOME RESIDENT STATE WARDS
Introduced By: Senators
Gibbs, Bates, Parella, Perry, and Roberts
Date
Introduced: January 29, 2004
WHEREAS,
There is a significant number of Rhode Islanders who are state wards
residing in group homes
administered through the department of mental health, retardation and
hospitals; and
WHEREAS,
There frequently are no family members or other qualified adults willing
and capable of serving as full or
limited guardians for group home residents who lack the
necessary resources to pay for
the services of a private guardian; and
WHEREAS,
Rhode Island does not presently have a system of public volunteer
guardianship or a formal,
coordinated program for recruiting, training and supervising volunteer
guardians or surrogate decision
makers for group home residents; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That the Rhode Island senate respectfully directs the department of mental
health, retardation and
hospitals to study this issue and prepare a report with its findings and
recommendations for providing
volunteer guardians and surrogate decision makers to group
home resident state wards. In
preparing its report, the department shall seek the advice of the
public, including other state
and private agencies that have a role in serving residents of state
homes. Further, the department
shall consult with the department of elderly affairs concerning the
latter’s implementation of a
volunteer guardianship program for frail elders. The department of
mental health, retardation and
hospitals shall submit its report on the guardianship needs of
residents of group homes to
the speaker of the house, the president of the senate and the chairman
of the committee on health and
human services by January 15, 2005; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the secretary of state be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit a duly certified copy
of this resolution to the director of the department of mental health,
retardation and hospitals.
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LC01145/SUB A
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