Human Rights Committee Legal Member

Position Type
Volunteer Committee Member

Reports To
Human Rights Committee Chair / Human Rights Coordinator

Purpose of the Position
The Legal Member serves as a resource to the Human Rights Committee by providing knowledge and perspective regarding legal rights, due process, confidentiality, and applicable laws and regulations that may impact the individuals supported by the agency.

The Legal Member is a member of the Human Rights Committee and participates as an equal committee member while providing legal expertise when appropriate.

Key Responsibilities
1. Legal Guidance & Consultation
Provide the Committee with general legal perspective on matters involving the rights and protections of individuals supported.
Help the Committee understand relevant laws, regulations, and legal principles affecting individuals receiving services.
Identify potential legal or rights-related concerns when reviewing committee matters.
Ask questions and provide recommendations when legal considerations may impact an individual’s rights.
2. Human Rights Review
Participate in the review of incidents, complaints, restrictions, behavioral interventions, and other matters brought before the Committee.
Assist the Committee in determining whether proposed restrictions or interventions are appropriate, necessary, and consistent with the individual’s rights.
Help ensure that the least restrictive alternatives are considered whenever limitations on an individual’s rights are proposed.
Review relevant documentation and provide feedback when legal concerns are identified.
3. Advocacy & Individual Rights
Promote respect for the dignity, privacy, independence, and personal choices of individuals supported by the agency.
Ensure that individuals are afforded appropriate opportunities to understand and exercise their rights.
Encourage the Committee to consider the individual’s wishes, preferences, and voice when reviewing matters.
Help identify situations where additional advocacy, clarification, or review may be appropriate.
4. Confidentiality
Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information discussed or reviewed as part of the Human Rights Committee.
Safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI), personal information, legal information, and other confidential records.
Only access information necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the Committee.
Follow all applicable agency confidentiality, privacy, and records-management requirements.
5. Committee Participation
Attend scheduled Human Rights Committee meetings and participate actively in discussions.
Review meeting materials in advance when provided.
Ask appropriate questions and provide thoughtful feedback.
Participate in committee votes and decisions in accordance with the Committee’s policies and procedures.
Notify the Human Rights Coordinator or Committee Chair as soon as possible when unable to attend a scheduled meeting.
6. Policy & Practice Review
Provide legal perspective when the Committee reviews policies, procedures, or practices that may affect individual rights.
Identify areas where additional clarification, training, or policy development may be beneficial.
Assist the Committee in maintaining a strong focus on individual rights and regulatory compliance.