Sec. 07.02.16.04. Report of Vulnerable Adults

A. A health practitioner, police officer, or human service worker who contacts, examines, attends or treats an alleged vulnerable adult and who has reason to believe that the adult has been subject to abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation shall notify the local department of social services.

B. An individual who has reason to believe that an alleged vulnerable adult has been subjected to abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation may file a report with the local department of social services.

C. The local department shall request that the report contain as much of the following information as is known to the person making the report:

(1) The name, age, and home address of the alleged vulnerable adult;

(2) The name and home address of the individual responsible for the care of the alleged vulnerable adult;

(3) The whereabouts of the alleged vulnerable adult;

(4) The nature of the alleged vulnerable adult's incapacity;

(5) The nature and extent of the abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of the alleged vulnerable adult, including evidence or information available to the reporter concerning previous injury possibly resulting from abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation; and

(6) Any other information that would help to determine the:

(a) Cause of the suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation, and

(b) Identity of any individual responsible for the abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation.

D. The local department shall notify the individual making the report that the investigation has begun as a result of the report. Confidentiality regulations shall determine the amount and kind of information disclosed.