20-8-206. Central registry — Definition — Legislative intent.

20-8-206. Central registry — Definition — Legislative intent. (a)(1) The Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission shall establish and maintain a central registry of spinal cord disabled persons. Every public and private health and social agency and attending physician shall report to the commission within five (5) calendar days after identification of any spinal cord disabled person. However, the consent of the individual shall be obtained before making this report, except that every spinal cord disease or injury resulting in permanent partial, permanent total, or total disability shall be reported to the commission immediately upon identification. (2) The report shall contain the name, age, residence, and type of disability of the individual and such additional information as may be deemed necessary by the commission. (b)(1) Within fifteen (15) days of the report and identification of a spinal cord disabled person, the commission shall notify the spinal cord disabled person or the most immediate family members of their right to assistance from the state, the services available, and the eligibility requirements. (2) The commission shall refer severely disabled persons to appropriate divisions, departments, and other state agencies to assure that maximum available rehabilitative services, if desired, are obtained by the spinal cord disabled person. (3) All other agencies of the state shall cooperate with the commission to ensure that appropriate total rehabilitative and other services are available, as well as access to records and other information. (c) As used in this section, “spinal cord disabled” means any person who has a spinal cord disease or injury, congenital or acquired, which results in partial or total loss of motor or sensory functions and which results in temporary or permanent partial or total disability. (d) It is the intent of the General Assembly to ensure the referral of all spinal cord disabled persons to the commission by appropriate individuals or public and private agencies in order that all spinal cord disabled persons might obtain the appropriate total rehabilitative services rendered by existing state agencies, state departments, and other organizations and individuals.