Sec. 27.4. Requirements for patient care and treatment

(a) Nondiscrimination.

Staff of facilities shall provide services in such a manner as to assure that they do not discriminate against a patient in terms of his or her race, color, sex, creed, religion, age or national origin.

(b) Physical environment.

Staff of facilities shall provide services in such a manner as to assure that the physical environment is safe, sanitary and conducive to effective treatment.

(c) Socialization.

Consistent with a patient's service plan, directors of facilities shall assure patients a reasonable opportunity to associate with any staff member, or patient or members of the general community in order to foster the development of the patient's social competences and preferences. The staff of facilities shall not permit socialization with individual patients to interfere with staff duties.