Reporting of Elderly or Adult with a Disability Abuse

(a)Any person who, in the course of his or her employment, occupation or professional practice comes into contact with elderly or adults with disabilities, has actual knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that an elderly or adult with a disability is suffering from or has died as a result of abuse as defined in § 2951, shall immediately make a verbal report of such information or cause a report to be made to the Bureau of Adult Protective Services or its authorized agency and shall, within forty-eight

(48)hours, make a written report to the Bureau or its authorized agency. If a verbal report is made on a Friday, a written report will be made by the next workday.

(b)Persons required to report abuse under Subsection

(a)include, but are not limited to, physicians, medical interns, medical examiners, nurses, chiropractors, hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care or treatment of persons, social workers, employees of nursing homes, senior citizen centers and adult day care facilities, police officers, probation officers, employees of homemaker and home CH. 2 DIVISION OF PUBLIC WELFARE health service agencies, emergency medical service

(EMS)providers, non-emergency medical transport providers, medical and allied health care providers, banking or financial institution personnel, pension providers, and practicum students in the field of health and human services.

(c)In addition to persons required to report under Subsections

(a)and (b), any other person may make such report to the Bureau of Adult Protective Services if any such person has a reasonable cause to believe that an elderly or adult with a disability is suffering from or has died as a result of abuse.

(d)Oral or written reports from persons required to report under Subsections

(a)and

(b)shall include the following information, if available:

(1)The name of the person making the report and where he or she can be reached. The identity of the person making the report shall be confidential, but made available to an agency contracted authorized by the Bureau of Adult Protective Services to provide case investigation.

(2)The name, address and approximate age of the elderly or adult with a disability.

(3)Information regarding the nature and extent of the abuse, the name of the person’s caretaker, if known, and any medical treatment being received or immediately required, if known.

(4)The name of the person or persons responsible for causing the suspected abuse.

(5)The source of the report.

(6)Any other information which may assist in the investigation of the suspected abuse.

(7)The identity of the person making the report shall be confidential.

(e)Reports of elderly or adult with a disability abuse may be made anonymously under this Chapter.