(a) Eligible individuals and families shall be free to accept or reject services, including those services offered as part of a protective treatment plan for children and adults in need of protection. In the event an individual or family refuses needed protective services, the social services district has an obligation to gather relevant data for court referral if necessary in the case of children, or for making arrangements with relatives, others and/or the courts to act in behalf of impaired adults.

(b) Acceptance of a service shall not be a prerequisite for the receipt of any other service or assistance, except for the conditions relating to the work incentive program, a program for vocational rehabilitation or other approved work program. In such instances the services unit of the social services district shall immediately notify the income maintenance unit (or the WIN/SAU unit regarding WIN participant) of the individual's refusal to accept a service.