Sec. A-44. 34-B MRSA §1205, sub-§3, ¶E, as repealed and replaced by PL 1989, c. 7, Pt. N, §3, is amended to read:

E. Act as an information source regarding the rights of all clients, keeping itself informed about all laws, administrative rules and institutional and other policies relating to the rights and dignity of the clients and about relevant legal decisions and other developments related to the field of mental health and mental retardation, both in this State and in other parts of the country; and

Sec. A-45. 34-B MRSA §1205, sub-§3, ¶F, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 7, Pt. N, §3, is amended to read:

F. Make and publish reports necessary to the performance of the duties described in this section. The chief advocate may report findings of the office to groups outside the department, such as legislative bodies, advisory committees, commissions, law enforcement agencies and the press, and may authorize the advocates in the Office of Advocacy to so communicate. At least annually, the chief advocate shall report both in person and in writing to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over mental health and mental retardation; and.

Sec. A-46. 34-B MRSA §1205, sub-§3, ¶G, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 7, Pt. N, §3, is repealed.

Sec. A-47. 34-B MRSA §1207, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 1995, c. 691, §4 and PL 2001, c. 354, §3, is further amended to read:

B. Information may be disclosed if necessary to carry out any of the statutory functions of the department, the hospitalization provisions of chapter 3, subchapter IV 4, the purposes of sections 3607 and 3608, the purposes of Title 22, section 3554, or the purposes of United States Public Law 99-319, dealing with the investigatory function of the independent agency designated with advocacy and investigatory functions under United States Public Law 88-164, Title I, Part C or United States Public Law 99-319, or the purposes of Title 18-A, section 5-601, subsection (b), when the Department of Human Services is requested by