- (a) A licensed professional certified through this part shall offer culturally affirmative and linguistically appropriate mental health services to a client in the client’s primary communication method.
(b)
- (1) The certified mental health professional shall not deny access to services in the client’s primary communication method to a client due to the client’s having residual hearing ability, whether supported by amplification or other hearing assistive technology.
- (2) The certified mental health professional shall not deny access to services in the client’s primary communication method to a client due to the client’s previous experience with some other communication method.
- (c) Deaf and hard of hearing persons have the right to decline culturally affirmative and linguistically appropriate mental health services.
- (d) The requirements and obligations imposed by this rule are substantive, not procedural.
- (e) In the event of any change in or loss of full privileges related to their professional license, or actions that would impact the certified mental health professional’s ability to appropriately perform his or her duties, the certified mental health professional must notify the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Services immediately.