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;

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 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 matters; and

H.__Make all necessary reports to the commissioner to assist the department in assuring compliance with the community consent decree, Consumer Advisory Board et al. V. Glover, No. 91-321-P-C (D. Me., September 28, 1994), as it relates to the responsibilities and functions of the Office of Advocacy.

4.__Access to files and records.__The Office of Advocacy, through the chief advocate and the other advocates, 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.__A copy of an incident report must be provided to the Office of Advocacy by the person making the report.

5.__Confidentiality.__Requests for action must be treated confidentially as follows.

A.__Any client request for action by the office and all written records or accounts related to the request are confidential as to the identity of the client.