4. Access to files and records. The Office of Advocacy, through the chief advocate and the other advocates, office of advocacy has access, limited only by the law, to the files, records and personnel of any institution, facility or agency administered, licensed or funded by the department. All persons with knowledge about an incident related to client care, including client-to-client assault, staff-to-client assault, client-to-staff assault, excessive use of seclusion or mechanical or chemical restraint, incidents stemming from questionable psychiatric and medical practice or any other alleged abuse or neglect, shall immediately report the details of that incident to the Office of Advocacy office of advocacy. A copy of any incident report shall must be provided to the Office of Advocacy office of advocacy by the person making the report.

5. Confidentiality. Requests for action shall must be treated confidentially as follows.

A. Any client request for action by the office of advocacy and all written records or accounts related to the request shall must be confidential as to the identity of the client.

B. The records and accounts may be released only as provided by law.

6. Definition. For the purposes of this section, "client" means a person included in the definition of client under section 1001, subsection 2, an adult or child receiving mental health, mental retardation or behavioral health services and a person seeking or requesting services as a client.

7. Protection for advocates. Advocates may not be disciplined or sanctioned for any actions taken on behalf of clients.

8. Budget. When submitting any budget request to the Legislature, the department and the Governor shall provide that any funds for contracting for the services of the Office of Advocacy office of advocacy be listed in a separate account.

Sec. OO-3. 34-B MRSA §5606, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1993, c. 326, §10, is further amended to read:

1. Report and investigation. Any alleged violation of the rights of a person receiving services must be reported immediately to the Office of Advocacy of the department office of