| |
|
| |
| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
| |
| HOUSE BILL |
|
| |
| |
| INTRODUCED BY JOSEPHS, DeWEESE, CASORIO, D. COSTA, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MELIO, MUNDY, M. O'BRIEN, REICHLEY, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, J. TAYLOR, VULAKOVICH AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 3, 2009 |
| |
| |
| REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, APRIL 3, 2009 |
| |
| |
| |
| AN ACT |
| |
1 | Providing for protection of abused, neglected, exploited or |
2 | abandoned adults; establishing a uniform Statewide reporting |
3 | and investigative system for suspected abuse, neglect, |
4 | exploitation or abandonment of adults; providing for |
5 | protective services; and prescribing penalties. |
6 | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
7 | Chapter 1. Preliminary Provisions |
8 | Section 101. Short title. |
9 | Section 102. Legislative policy. |
10 | Section 103. Definitions. |
11 | Chapter 3. Administration |
12 | Section 301. Duties of department and agencies. |
13 | Section 302. Reporting. |
14 | Section 303. Investigations of reports of need for protective |
15 | services. |
16 | Section 304. Provision of services. |
17 | Section 305. Immunity from civil and criminal liability. |
18 | Section 306. Confidentiality of records. |
|
1 | Section 307. Involuntary intervention by emergency court order. |
2 | Section 308. Rights of protective services clients. |
3 | Section 309. Financial obligations, liabilities and payments. |
4 | Chapter 5. Reporting Suspected Abuse by Employees |
5 | Section 501. Reporting by employees. |
6 | Section 502. Reports to department and coroner or medical |
7 | examiner. |
8 | Section 503. Investigation. |
9 | Section 504. Restrictions on employees. |
10 | Section 505. Confidentiality of and access to confidential |
11 | reports. |
12 | Section 506. Penalties. |
13 | Section 507. Immunity. |
14 | Chapter 7. Miscellaneous Provisions |
15 | Section 701. Regulations. |
16 | Section 702. Report. |
17 | Section 703. Repeals. |
18 | Section 704. Effective date. |
19 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
20 | hereby enacts as follows: |
21 | CHAPTER 1 |
22 | PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS |
23 | Section 101. Short title. |
24 | This act shall be known and may be cited as the Adult |
25 | Protective Services Act. |
26 | Section 102. Legislative policy. |
27 | It is declared the policy of this Commonwealth that: |
28 | (1) Adults who lack the capacity to protect themselves |
29 | and are at imminent risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or |
30 | abandonment must have access to services necessary to protect |
|
1 | their health, safety and welfare. |
2 | (2) Adults have the right to make choices, subject to |
3 | the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth, regarding their |
4 | lifestyles, relationships, bodies and health, even when those |
5 | choices present risks to themselves or their property. |
6 | (3) Adults have the right to refuse some or all |
7 | protective services. |
8 | (4) Information about protective services should be |
9 | provided in a safe place and in a safe, understandable and |
10 | responsive manner. |
11 | (5) The Commonwealth must provide for the detection, |
12 | prevention, reduction and elimination of abuse, neglect, |
13 | exploitation and abandonment and establish a program of |
14 | protective services for adults in need of them. |
15 | (6) Adults have the right to receive services in the |
16 | most integrated settings and in the manner least restrictive |
17 | of individual liberties. |
18 | Section 103. Definitions. |
19 | The following words and phrases when used in this act shall |
20 | have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
21 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
22 | "Abandonment." The desertion of an adult by a caregiver. |
23 | "Abuse." The occurrence of one or more of the following |
24 | acts: |
25 | (1) The infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, |
26 | intimidation or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain |
27 | or mental anguish. |
28 | (2) The willful deprivation by a caregiver of goods or |
29 | services which are necessary to maintain physical or mental |
30 | health. |
|
1 | (3) Sexual harassment, rape or "abuse" as defined in 23 |
2 | Pa.C.S. § 6102 (relating to definitions). |
3 | The term does not include environmental factors which are beyond |
4 | the control of an adult or caregiver, including, but not limited |
5 | to, inadequate housing, furnishings, income, clothing or medical |
6 | care. |
7 | "Administrator." The person responsible for the |
8 | administration of a facility. The term includes a person |
9 | responsible for employment decisions or an independent |
10 | contractor. |
11 | "Adult." A resident of this Commonwealth between 18 and 59 |
12 | years of age who has a physical or mental impairment that |
13 | substantially limits one or more major life activities. |
14 | "Adult in need of protective services." An adult who needs |
15 | the assistance of another person to obtain protective services |
16 | in order to prevent imminent risk to person or property. |
17 | "Agency." A local contracted provider of protective |
18 | services. |
19 | "Assessment." Social, physical and psychological findings |
20 | along with a description of the person's current resources and |
21 | needs. |
22 | "Caregiver." An individual or institution that has assumed |
23 | the responsibility for the provision of care needed to maintain |
24 | the physical or mental health of an adult. This responsibility |
25 | may arise voluntarily, by contract, by receipt of payment for |
26 | care, as a result of family relationship or by order of a court |
27 | of competent jurisdiction. It is not the intent of this act to |
28 | impose responsibility on any individual if the responsibility |
29 | would not otherwise exist in law. |
30 | "Court." A court of common pleas or a district magistrate |
|
1 | court, where applicable. |
2 | "Department." The Department of Aging of the Commonwealth. |
3 | "Employee." An individual who is employed by a facility. The |
4 | term includes: |
5 | (1) A contract employee who has direct contact with |
6 | residents or unsupervised access to their personal living |
7 | quarters. |
8 | (2) A person who is employed or who enters into a |
9 | contractual relationship to provide care to an adult for |
10 | monetary consideration in the adult's place of residence. |
11 | "Exploitation." An act or course of conduct by a caregiver |
12 | or other person against an adult or an adult's resources, |
13 | without the informed consent of the adult or with consent |
14 | obtained through misrepresentation, coercion or threats of |
15 | force, that results in monetary, personal or other benefit, gain |
16 | or profit for the perpetrator or monetary or personal loss to |
17 | the adult. |
18 | "Facility." The term includes, but is not limited to: |
19 | (1) An assisted living residence as defined in section |
20 | 1001 of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as |
21 | the Public Welfare Code. |
22 | (2) A domiciliary care home as defined in section 2202-A |
23 | of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The |
24 | Administrative Code of 1929. |
25 | (3) A home health care agency as defined in section |
26 | 802.1 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as |
27 | the Health Care Facilities Act. |
28 | (4) An intermediate care facility for people with mental |
29 | retardation. |
30 | (5) A long-term care nursing facility as defined in |
|
1 | section 802.1 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), |
2 | known as the Health Care Facilities Act. |
3 | (6) An older adult daily living center as defined in |
4 | section 2 of the act of July 11, 1990 (P.L.499, No.118), |
5 | known as the Older Adult Daily Living Centers Licensing Act. |
6 | (7) A personal care home as defined in section 1001 of |
7 | the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public |
8 | Welfare Code. |
9 | (8) An organization or group of people that uses public |
10 | funds and is paid, in part, to provide care and support to |
11 | adults in a licensed or unlicensed setting. |
12 | (9) A residential treatment facility. |
13 | "Incident Reporting System." Home and Community Services |
14 | Information System (HCSIS) or its successor. |
15 | "Intimidation." An act or omission by a person or entity |
16 | toward another person which is intended to or with knowledge |
17 | that the act or omission will obstruct, impede, impair, prevent |
18 | or interfere with the administration of this act or any law |
19 | intended to protect adults from mistreatment. |
20 | "Law enforcement official." These shall include: |
21 | (1) A police officer of a municipality. |
22 | (2) A district attorney. |
23 | (3) The Pennsylvania State Police. |
24 | (4) A county sheriff. |
25 | (5) The Attorney General. |
26 | "Least restrictive alternative." The least intrusive service |
27 | or environment that can effectively and safely address the |
28 | adult's needs and preferences. |
29 | "Most integrated setting." A setting that enables |
30 | individuals with disabilities to interact with individuals who |
|
1 | do not have disabilities to the fullest extent possible. |
2 | "Neglect." The failure to provide for oneself or the failure |
3 | of a caregiver to provide goods or services essential to avoid a |
4 | clear and serious threat to the physical or mental health of an |
5 | adult. The term does not include environmental factors that are |
6 | beyond the control of an adult or the caregiver, including, but |
7 | not limited to, inadequate housing, furnishings, income, |
8 | clothing or medical care. |
9 | "Protective services." Those activities, resources and |
10 | supports provided to adults under this act to detect, prevent, |
11 | reduce or eliminate abuse, neglect, exploitation and |
12 | abandonment. |
13 | "Recipient." An adult who receives care, services or |
14 | treatment in or from a facility. |
15 | "Secretary." The Secretary of Aging of the Commonwealth. |
16 | "Serious bodily injury." Injury that: |
17 | (1) creates a substantial risk of death; or |
18 | (2) causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted |
19 | loss or impairment of the function of a body member or organ. |
20 | "Serious injury." An injury that: |
21 | (1) causes a person severe pain; or |
22 | (2) significantly impairs a person's physical or mental |
23 | functioning, either temporarily or permanently. |
24 | "Service plan." A written plan that: |
25 | (1) Is cooperatively developed by an agency staff, an |
26 | adult in need of protective services or the adult's appointed |
27 | guardian, if any, and other family members and advocates when |
28 | appropriate. |
29 | (2) Where possible, is based on multidisciplinary, |
30 | comprehensive written assessments conducted by professionals |
|
1 | who have met with the adult in need of protective services |
2 | and are familiar with their situation. |
3 | (3) Provides for services in the most integrated setting |
4 | and utilizes least restrictive alternatives. |
5 | (4) Describes identified needs, goals to be achieved and |
6 | specific services to support goal attainment, with regular |
7 | follow-up and predetermined reassessment of client progress. |
8 | (5) Is updated as needed. |
9 | "Sexual abuse." Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly |
10 | causing or attempting to cause rape, involuntary deviate sexual |
11 | intercourse, sexual assault, statutory sexual assault, |
12 | aggravated indecent assault or incest, as defined by 18 Pa.C.S. |
13 | (relating to crimes and offenses). |
14 | CHAPTER 3 |
15 | ADMINISTRATION |
16 | Section 301. Duties of department and agencies. |
17 | (a) General rule.-- |
18 | (1) The department shall administer the adult protective |
19 | services program in a manner designed to utilize least |
20 | restrictive alternatives and to ensure services are provided |
21 | in the most integrated setting. |
22 | (2) The department shall, in consultation with the |
23 | Department of Public Welfare and other appropriate State |
24 | agencies, define the geographic areas to be served by |
25 | agencies and shall select those agencies based upon a |
26 | competitive bidding process. Successful bidders must: |
27 | (i) Demonstrate knowledge of and experience working |
28 | with adults. |
29 | (ii) Be separate from agencies providing direct |
30 | services to adults and from county mental health and |
|
1 | mental retardation programs. |
2 | (iii) Demonstrate knowledge of service delivery |
3 | principles important to adults and their families such as |
4 | individual choice and use of the least restrictive |
5 | alternative. |
6 | (iv) Demonstrate that the program will be advised by |
7 | a body that includes at least 51% representation of |
8 | adults and their family members. |
9 | (v) Include letters of support that show |
10 | collaboration with entities which advocate for adults. |
11 | (3) The department shall establish, by regulation, |
12 | procedures to ensure no conflict of interest in the provision |
13 | of adult protective services. |
14 | (4) The department shall conduct an ongoing campaign |
15 | designed to inform and educate adults, families, caregivers, |
16 | professionals and the general public about the need for and |
17 | availability of protective services under this chapter. The |
18 | campaign shall require facilities to post notice of the |
19 | availability of protective services and to provide the notice |
20 | to recipients and their families. The department shall |
21 | consult with other departments of the Commonwealth on the |
22 | design and implementation of the ongoing public awareness |
23 | campaign. The department shall also consider the concerns of |
24 | agencies and entities identified by them under subsection |
25 | (b). |
26 | (5) The department shall establish, by regulation, |
27 | minimum standards of training and experience that agencies |
28 | funded by the department shall follow in the selection and |
29 | assignment of staff for the provision of protective services. |
30 | The standards shall require agencies to collaborate with |
|
1 | adults, their families and advocates, and the standards shall |
2 | be included in developing and delivering training. |
3 | (6) The department shall ensure that agencies have |
4 | access to the incident reporting system. |
5 | (b) Agency duties.--Each agency shall submit a proposal that |
6 | includes a protective services plan. The plan shall: |
7 | (1) Describe the implementation of this chapter, |
8 | including, but not limited to, the organization, staffing, |
9 | mode of operations and financing of protective services, as |
10 | well as the provisions made for purchase of services, |
11 | interagency relations, interagency agreements, service |
12 | referral mechanisms and locus of responsibility for cases |
13 | with multiservice agency needs. |
14 | (2) Describe the methods that the agency, its designees |
15 | and service providers will use to assure the privacy of all |
16 | adults receiving services and the confidentiality of all |
17 | records. |
18 | (3) List all other social service entities, whether |
19 | public or private, that have been identified by the agency as |
20 | having substantial contact with potential victims or |
21 | perpetrators of abuse, neglect, exploitation and abandonment. |
22 | (4) Ensure that the entities have information regarding |
23 | the unique aspects of various disabilities. |
24 | The agency shall submit the list to the department for purposes |
25 | of the public information campaign under subsection (a). |
26 | Section 302. Reporting. |
27 | (a) General rule.--A person having reasonable cause to |
28 | believe that an adult is in need of protective services may |
29 | report such information to the agency. Where applicable, reports |
30 | shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 5. |
|
1 | (b) Receiving reports.--The agency shall be capable of |
2 | receiving reports of adults in need of protective services 24 |
3 | hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. This |
4 | capability may include the use of a local emergency response |
5 | system or a crisis intervention agency, provided that access can |
6 | be made to a protective services caseworker in appropriate |
7 | emergency situations as set forth in regulations promulgated by |
8 | the department. All reports received orally under this section |
9 | shall be reduced to writing immediately by the person who |
10 | receives the report. |
11 | (c) Screening.--A person who receives a report shall screen |
12 | the report during and immediately following receipt of the |
13 | report to assign it to one of the following referral categories: |
14 | (1) Priority. A report placed in this category shall |
15 | require immediate attention because specific details in the |
16 | report indicate the possibility that the adult reported to |
17 | need protective services is at imminent risk of death or |
18 | serious injury or serious bodily injury. The person receiving |
19 | a priority report shall immediately contact a protective |
20 | services caseworker and provide the caseworker with the |
21 | information contained in the report. |
22 | (2) Nonpriority. A report shall be placed in this |
23 | category when it does not appropriately fall within the |
24 | priority category and, therefore, does not require immediate |
25 | attention by the agency. A report in this category shall be |
26 | referred to a protective services caseworker of an agency |
27 | within the normal business hours of the agency's current or |
28 | next day of business under the agency's established |
29 | procedures for referring these reports. |
30 | (3) Another planning and service area. A report in which |
|
1 | the adult who is the subject of the report does not reside in |
2 | the planning and service area of the agency or, at that time, |
3 | is not in the planning and service area shall be placed in |
4 | this category. The report shall be referred to the agency |
5 | that has the designated responsibility for protective |
6 | services in the planning and service area in which the adult |
7 | reported to be in need of protective services is located at |
8 | the time of the report. A report in this category shall also |
9 | meet the criteria for placement in one of the other |
10 | categories in this subsection. The provisions for referral |
11 | for the other category shall apply to a referral to another |
12 | planning and service area. |
13 | (4) No need for protective services. A report shall be |
14 | placed in this category when the person reported to be in |
15 | need of protective services meets either of the following |
16 | criteria: |
17 | (i) has the capacity to perform or obtain, without |
18 | help, services necessary to maintain physical or mental |
19 | health; |
20 | (ii) is not at imminent risk or danger to his person |
21 | or property. |
22 | A report in this category shall be referred to a protective |
23 | services caseworker of the agency within the normal business |
24 | hours of the agency's current or next day of business. The |
25 | protective services caseworker shall review the details of |
26 | the report and take all steps necessary to confirm or reject |
27 | the categorization of no need for protective services. If the |
28 | caseworker confirms the screening categorization, and upon |
29 | the request of any interested party and without objection by |
30 | the adult appropriate referrals shall be made to other |
|
1 | entities. The protective services case shall then be closed. |
2 | If the caseworker rejects the categorization, the report |
3 | shall be placed in the appropriate category and shall be |
4 | handled accordingly. A report may not be placed in this |
5 | category if the adult is temporarily relocated to a safe |
6 | environment and will return to the original abusive situation |
7 | or to a new location which has not been determined to be |
8 | safe. |
9 | (d) Retaliatory action.-- |
10 | (1) Any person who makes a report or cooperates with the |
11 | agency, including providing testimony in any administrative |
12 | or judicial proceeding, and any adult in need of protective |
13 | services shall not be subject to any discriminatory, |
14 | retaliatory or disciplinary action by an employer or by any |
15 | other person or entity. |
16 | (2) Any person who violates this subsection is subject |
17 | to a civil action by the reporter or the adult in need of |
18 | protective services, in which action the reporter or adult in |
19 | need of protective services shall recover treble compensatory |
20 | damages, compensatory and punitive damages or $5,000, |
21 | whichever is greater. |
22 | (e) Intimidation.-- |
23 | (1) A person, including an adult in need of protective |
24 | services, with knowledge sufficient to justify making a |
25 | report or cooperating with an agency, including possibly |
26 | providing testimony in an administrative or judicial |
27 | proceeding, shall not be subject to any intimidation by an |
28 | employer or by any other person or entity. |
29 | (2) A person who violates this subsection is subject to |
30 | civil action by the reporter or the adult in need of |
|
1 | protective services, in which action the reporter or adult in |
2 | need of protective services shall recover treble compensatory |
3 | damages, compensatory and punitive damages or $5,000, |
4 | whichever is greater. |
5 | (f) Immunity.-- |
6 | (1) A person who participates in the making of a report |
7 | or who provides testimony in an administrative or judicial |
8 | proceeding arising out of a report shall be immune from any |
9 | civil or criminal liability, subject to paragraph (2), on |
10 | account of the report or testimony, unless the person acted |
11 | in bad faith or with malicious purpose. |
12 | (2) The immunity established under paragraph (1) shall |
13 | not extend to liability for an act of abuse, neglect, |
14 | exploitation or abandonment even if such act is the subject |
15 | of the report or testimony. |
16 | Section 303. Investigations of reports of need for protective |
17 | services. |
18 | (a) Investigation.-- |
19 | (1) An agency shall investigate each report made under |
20 | section 302. |
21 | (2) The investigation shall be initiated immediately for |
22 | a priority report, and to the extent feasible, the agency |
23 | shall conduct a face-to-face interview with the reported |
24 | adult in need of protective services. |
25 | (3) The investigation shall be initiated within 72 hours |
26 | for a nonpriority report. |
27 | (4) The department shall adopt regulations providing for |
28 | the methods of conducting investigations under this section |
29 | and shall assure that steps are taken to avoid any conflict |
30 | of interest between the investigator and service delivery |
|
1 | functions. |
2 | (5) Reports and investigations conducted under this |
3 | section shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 5, where |
4 | applicable. |
5 | (b) Investigation involving licensed facilities.-- |
6 | (1) A report concerning adults residing in a State- |
7 | licensed facility shall be reported to the appropriate State |
8 | licensing department and investigated under procedures |
9 | developed by the department in consultation with the bureau |
10 | responsible for the licensure of the facility. |
11 | (2) The protective services agency may seek judicial |
12 | relief to require the facility to protect the health and |
13 | safety of the adult when the licensed program is believed to |
14 | continue to jeopardize the adult's health and safety through |
15 | evidence of risk substantiated. |
16 | (c) Unsubstantiated reports.--If after investigation by the |
17 | agency a report is unsubstantiated, the case shall be closed, |
18 | and all information shall be maintained for a period of one year |
19 | under procedures established by the department. |
20 | (d) Substantiated reports.-- |
21 | (1) The agency shall provide for a timely assessment of |
22 | the adult if a report is substantiated by the agency or if an |
23 | assessment is necessary in order to determine whether the |
24 | report is substantiated. An adult may refuse the assessment. |
25 | (2) Upon completion of the assessment, written findings |
26 | shall be prepared that include recommended action. A service |
27 | plan shall be developed and shall: |
28 | (i) Provide for the least restrictive alternative |
29 | and encourage choice and continuity of care. |
30 | (ii) Assure that services and supports are provided |
|
1 | in the most integrated setting. |
2 | (iii) Absent a court order, not include the |
3 | relocation of the adult unless the adult consents. |
4 | (iv) Be written in plain language whenever possible |
5 | and prepared in a manner which can be easily understood |
6 | by an adult in need of protective services or that |
7 | adult's appointed guardian. |
8 | (v) Be in writing and include a recommended course |
9 | of action that may include the pursuit of civil or |
10 | criminal remedies. |
11 | (3) If an adult who is found to be in need of protective |
12 | services refuses an assessment or the development of a |
13 | service plan, the agency may apply to the case the provisions |
14 | of section 307. |
15 | Section 304. Provision of services. |
16 | (a) Availability of protective services.--Once need is |
17 | determined, an agency shall offer protective services if an |
18 | adult requests services or an interested person requests |
19 | services on behalf of an adult. |
20 | (b) Consent by request.-- |
21 | (1) Except as provided in section 307, an adult shall |
22 | only receive protective services voluntarily. In no event may |
23 | protective services be provided under this chapter to an |
24 | adult who refuses consent to the services or who, having |
25 | consented, withdraws the consent, unless the services are |
26 | ordered by a court or provided under section 307. |
27 | (2) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to |
28 | prevent an agency from petitioning for the appointment of a |
29 | guardian pursuant to 20 Pa.C.S. (relating to decedents, |
30 | estates and fiduciaries). |
|
1 | (c) Interference with services.--If any person interferes |
2 | with the provision of services or the right of an adult to |
3 | consent to provision of services, the agency may petition the |
4 | court for an order enjoining the interference. |
5 | (d) Access to records.--An agency shall have access to all |
6 | records relevant to: |
7 | (1) Investigations of reports under section 303. |
8 | (2) Assessment of client need. |
9 | (3) Development of a service plan when an adult's need |
10 | for protective services has been or is being established. |
11 | (4) Delivery of services arranged for under the service |
12 | plan developed by the agency to respond to an adult's |
13 | assessed need for specific services. |
14 | (e) Access to persons.--An agency shall have access to |
15 | adults who have been reported to be in need of protective |
16 | services in order to: |
17 | (1) Investigate reports under section 303 and Chapter 5. |
18 | (2) Assess needs and develop a service plan for |
19 | addressing them. |
20 | (3) Provide for the delivery of services by the agency |
21 | or other service provider arranged for under the service |
22 | plan. |
23 | (f) Denial of access to persons.--If the agency is denied |
24 | access to an adult reported to be in need of protective services |
25 | and access is necessary to complete the investigation or the |
26 | assessment and service plan or the delivery of needed services |
27 | in order to prevent further abuse, neglect, exploitation or |
28 | abandonment of the adult, the agency may petition the court for |
29 | an order to require the appropriate access when either of the |
30 | following conditions apply: |
|
1 | (1) The caregiver or a third party has interfered with |
2 | the completion of the investigation or the assessment and |
3 | service plan or the delivery of services. |
4 | (2) The agency can demonstrate that the adult denies |
5 | access because of coercion, extortion or justifiable fear of |
6 | further abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment. |
7 | (g) Access by consent.--An agency's access to confidential |
8 | records held by other entities or individuals or an adult |
9 | reported to be in need of protective services shall require the |
10 | consent of the adult or a court-appointed guardian except as |
11 | provided for under this section or section 307. |
12 | (h) Denial of access to records.--If the agency is denied |
13 | access to records necessary for completion of a proper |
14 | investigation of a report, assessment, service plan or the |
15 | delivery of needed services in order to prevent further abuse, |
16 | neglect, exploitation or abandonment of the adult reported to be |
17 | in need of protective services, the agency may petition the |
18 | court of common pleas for an order requiring the appropriate |
19 | access when either of the following conditions apply: |
20 | (1) The adult has provided written consent for any |
21 | confidential records to be disclosed and the keeper of the |
22 | records denies access. |
23 | (2) The agency can demonstrate that the adult denies |
24 | access to records because of incompetence, coercion, |
25 | extortion or justifiable fear of future abuse, neglect, |
26 | exploitation or abandonment. |
27 | Section 305. Immunity from civil and criminal liability. |
28 | In the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence, an |
29 | agency, its director and employees, protective services workers |
30 | or employees of the department shall not be civilly or |
|
1 | criminally liable for any decision or action or resulting |
2 | consequence of decisions or actions when acting under and |
3 | according to the provisions of this chapter. |
4 | Section 306. Confidentiality of records. |
5 | (a) General rule.--Information contained in reports, records |
6 | of investigation, assessment and service plans shall be |
7 | considered confidential and shall be maintained under |
8 | regulations promulgated by the department to safeguard |
9 | confidentiality. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), |
10 | this information shall not be disclosed to anyone outside the |
11 | agency other than to a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant |
12 | to a court order. |
13 | (b) Limited access to agency's protective services |
14 | records.-- |
15 | (1) In the event that an investigation by an agency |
16 | results in the discovery of suspected criminal conduct, law |
17 | enforcement officials shall be given access to all relevant |
18 | records maintained by the agency or the department. |
19 | (2) In arranging specific services to carry out service |
20 | plans, an agency may disclose to appropriate service |
21 | providers such information as may be necessary to initiate |
22 | the delivery of services. |
23 | (3) An adult who is the subject of a report made under |
24 | section 302 may receive, upon written request, all |
25 | information contained in the report except that prohibited |
26 | from disclosure under paragraph (4). |
27 | (4) The release of information that would identify a |
28 | person who made a report of suspected abuse, neglect, |
29 | exploitation or abandonment or who cooperated in a subsequent |
30 | investigation is prohibited unless the secretary can |
|
1 | determine that such a release will not be detrimental to the |
2 | safety of the person. |
3 | (5) When the department is involved in the hearing of an |
4 | appeal by an adult who is the subject of a report made under |
5 | section 302, the appropriate department staff shall be given |
6 | access to all information in the report record relevant to |
7 | the appeal. |
8 | (6) For the purpose of monitoring agency performance, |
9 | appropriate staff of the department may access agency |
10 | protective services records. |
11 | Section 307. Involuntary intervention by emergency court order. |
12 | (a) Emergency petition.-- |
13 | (1) Where there is clear and convincing evidence that, |
14 | if protective services are not provided, the adult is at |
15 | imminent risk of death, serious injury or serious bodily |
16 | injury, the agency may petition the court for an emergency |
17 | order to provide the necessary services. |
18 | (2) The court of common pleas of each judicial district |
19 | shall ensure that a judge or magisterial district judge is |
20 | available on a 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year basis to accept |
21 | and decide on petitions for an emergency court order under |
22 | this section whenever the agency determines that a delay |
23 | until normal court hours would significantly increase the |
24 | danger the adult faces. |
25 | (b) Limited order.--The court, after finding clear and |
26 | convincing evidence of the need for an emergency order, shall |
27 | order only such services as are necessary to remove the |
28 | conditions creating the established need. |
29 | (c) Right to counsel.--In order to protect the rights of an |
30 | adult in need of protective services, an emergency court order |
|
1 | under this section shall provide that the adult has the right to |
2 | legal counsel which shall be appointed by the court at public |
3 | expense. |
4 | (d) Forcible entry.--Where it is necessary to forcibly enter |
5 | a premises, law enforcement shall obtain a court order and may |
6 | be accompanied by a representative of an agency. |
7 | (e) Health and safety requirements.--An agency shall take |
8 | reasonable steps to assure that while an adult is receiving |
9 | services under an emergency court order, the health and safety |
10 | needs of any of the adult's dependents are met and that personal |
11 | property and the dwelling the adult occupies are secure. |
12 | (f) Nonrestrictive setting.--In those cases in which an |
13 | adult must be relocated, the court shall order the adult to be |
14 | relocated to the most integrated setting and the least |
15 | restrictive alternative that will ensure the adult's health and |
16 | safety and appropriate care. |
17 | (g) Exclusion of remedy.--Nothing in this chapter shall be |
18 | construed to deny an adult access to emergency medical services |
19 | or police protection that would be provided to anyone, |
20 | regardless of age, in similar circumstances. |
21 | Section 308. Rights of protective services clients. |
22 | (a) Minimum requirements.--The agency shall observe the |
23 | following minimum requirements to safeguard the rights of an |
24 | adult who is reported to be in need of protective services: |
25 | (1) The agency shall to the extent possible, notify the |
26 | adult privately during the investigation that a report has |
27 | been made and provide the adult with a brief summary of the |
28 | nature of the report. |
29 | (2) As provided under section 306(b)(3), the adult may |
30 | request and the agency shall provide additional information |
|
1 | contained in the report. |
2 | (3) An appeal of a denial of services by the department |
3 | or an authorized agency under this chapter shall be conducted |
4 | according to the provisions of the rules and regulations |
5 | issued by the department under Article XXII-A of the act of |
6 | April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative |
7 | Code of 1929. |
8 | (b) Construction.--Nothing in this act shall be construed to |
9 | limit the right of an adult to file a petition pursuant to 23 |
10 | Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to protection from abuse). |
11 | Section 309. Financial obligations, liabilities and payments. |
12 | An adult receiving services and each agency providing |
13 | services under this chapter shall comply with the following |
14 | provisions regarding liability for the payment of services: |
15 | (1) Funding to provide or make available protective |
16 | services under this chapter shall not: |
17 | (i) Supplant any public and private entitlements or |
18 | resources for which adults receiving protective services |
19 | under this chapter are or may be eligible. |
20 | (ii) Be available until an adult has exhausted the |
21 | adult's eligibility and receipt of benefits under public |
22 | and private entitlements or resources. |
23 | (2) (i) The obligation of the Commonwealth or a county |
24 | to provide funding for services provided pursuant to this |
25 | chapter shall be entirely discharged by the |
26 | appropriations made to the department or an agency. |
27 | (ii) Provided that the agency has met its |
28 | responsibility under the law, no action at law or equity |
29 | may be instituted in a court to require the department, |
30 | agency, county or Commonwealth to provide benefits or |
|
1 | services under this chapter for which appropriations from |
2 | the Commonwealth or counties are not available. |
3 | (3) Protective services clients receiving the same |
4 | services provided to others under an agency services plan |
5 | shall not be required to pay a fee for any services not |
6 | subject to cost sharing for other adults. |
7 | CHAPTER 5 |
8 | REPORTING SUSPECTED ABUSE BY EMPLOYEES |
9 | Section 501. Reporting by employees. |
10 | (a) Mandatory reporting to agency.-- |
11 | (1) An employee or an administrator who has reasonable |
12 | cause to suspect that a recipient is a victim of abuse or |
13 | neglect shall immediately make an oral report to an agency. |
14 | If applicable, the agency shall advise the employee or |
15 | administrator of additional reporting requirements that may |
16 | pertain under subsection (b). An employee shall notify the |
17 | administrator immediately following the report to the agency. |
18 | (2) Within 48 hours of making the oral report, the |
19 | employee or administrator shall make a written report to the |
20 | agency. The agency shall notify the administrator that a |
21 | report of abuse has been made with the agency. |
22 | (3) The provisions of this section shall be satisfied |
23 | when the administrator or employee submits a report to the |
24 | incident reporting system. Nothing in this subsection shall |
25 | prohibit an employee or administrator who has reasonable |
26 | cause to suspect that a recipient is a victim of abuse or |
27 | neglect from also making a report to the agency. |
28 | (b) Mandatory reports to law enforcement officials.-- |
29 | (1) An employee or an administrator who has reasonable |
30 | cause to suspect that a recipient is the victim of sexual |
|
1 | abuse, serious injury or serious bodily injury or that a |
2 | death is suspicious shall, in addition to contacting the |
3 | agency and the department, immediately contact law |
4 | enforcement officials to make an oral report. An employee |
5 | shall notify the administrator immediately following the |
6 | report to law enforcement officials. |
7 | (2) Within 48 hours of making the oral report, the |
8 | employee and the administrator shall make a joint written |
9 | report to appropriate law enforcement officials. |
10 | (3) The law enforcement officials shall notify the |
11 | administrator that a report has been made with the law |
12 | enforcement officials. |
13 | (4) The employee may request the administrator to make |
14 | or to assist the employee to make the oral and written |
15 | reports to law enforcement officials required by this |
16 | subsection. |
17 | (c) Contents of report.--A written report under this section |
18 | shall be submitted in a manner and on forms prescribed by the |
19 | department. The report shall include, at a minimum, the |
20 | following information: |
21 | (1) Name, age and address of the recipient. |
22 | (2) Name and address of the recipient's guardian, |
23 | attorney-in-fact or next of kin. |
24 | (3) Name and address of the facility. |
25 | (4) Nature of the alleged offense. |
26 | (5) Any specific comments or observations that are |
27 | directly related to the alleged incident and those involved. |
28 | Section 502. Reports to department and coroner or medical |
29 | examiner. |
30 | (a) Department.-- |
|
1 | (1) Within 48 hours of receipt of a written report under |
2 | section 501(a) involving sexual abuse, serious injury, |
3 | serious bodily injury or suspicious death, the agency shall |
4 | transmit a written report to the department. Supplemental |
5 | reports shall be transmitted as they are obtained by the |
6 | agency. |
7 | (2) A report under this subsection shall be made in a |
8 | manner and on forms prescribed by the department. The report |
9 | shall include, at a minimum, that information required to be |
10 | submitted under section 501. |
11 | (b) Coroner or medical examiner.--For a report under section |
12 | 501(a) concerning the death of a recipient, if there is |
13 | reasonable cause to suspect that the recipient died as a result |
14 | of abuse or neglect, the agency shall give the oral report and |
15 | forward a copy of the written report to the appropriate coroner |
16 | or medical examiner within 24 hours. |
17 | Section 503. Investigation. |
18 | (a) Law enforcement officials.--Upon receipt of a report |
19 | under section 501(b), law enforcement officials shall conduct an |
20 | investigation to determine what criminal charges, if any, will |
21 | be filed. |
22 | (b) Notification.--If law enforcement officials have |
23 | reasonable cause to suspect that a recipient has suffered sexual |
24 | abuse, serious injury, serious bodily injury or a suspicious |
25 | death, law enforcement officials shall notify the agency. |
26 | (c) Cooperation.--To the fullest extent possible, law |
27 | enforcement officials, facilities and agencies shall coordinate |
28 | their respective investigations and advise each other and |
29 | provide any applicable additional information on an ongoing |
30 | basis. |
|
1 | (d) Further notification.-- |
2 | (1) Law enforcement officials shall notify an agency and |
3 | facility of a decision regarding criminal charges. |
4 | (2) Upon being notified by law enforcement, the agency |
5 | shall notify the department and both shall keep a record of |
6 | any decision regarding criminal charges. |
7 | (e) Compliance with Chapter 3.--In addition to the |
8 | provisions of this section, the agency shall comply with the |
9 | provisions of Chapter 3. |
10 | Section 504. Restrictions on employees. |
11 | (a) Plan of supervision.-- |
12 | (1) On notification that an employee is alleged to have |
13 | committed abuse, the facility shall immediately suspend the |
14 | employee or where appropriate and subject to approval by the |
15 | agency and by the appropriate State licensing department with |
16 | regulatory authority over the facility, implement a plan of |
17 | supervision. |
18 | (2) A plan of supervision for a home health care agency |
19 | shall include periodic random direct inspections of |
20 | recipients by an employee who has been continuously employed |
21 | by the facility for a period of at least one year. |
22 | (b) Prohibition.-- |
23 | (1) On the filing of criminal charges against an |
24 | employee, the appropriate State licensing department that |
25 | regulates or has fiscal authority over the facility shall |
26 | order the facility to immediately prohibit the employee from |
27 | having access to recipients at the facility. |
28 | (2) If the employee is a director, operator, |
29 | administrator or supervisor, the employee shall be subject to |
30 | restrictions deemed appropriate by the Commonwealth agency |
|
1 | that licenses, regulates or has fiscal authority over the |
2 | facility to assure the safety of the recipients of the |
3 | facility. |
4 | Section 505. Confidentiality of and access to confidential |
5 | reports. |
6 | A report under this chapter shall be made available in the |
7 | following circumstances: |
8 | (1) Information may be disclosed to a court of competent |
9 | jurisdiction under a court order. |
10 | (2) If an investigation by an agency or law enforcement |
11 | results in a report of criminal conduct, law enforcement |
12 | officials shall have access to relevant records maintained by |
13 | the agency or the department. |
14 | (3) In arranging specific services to effect service |
15 | plans, an agency may disclose to appropriate service |
16 | providers information necessary to initiate the delivery of |
17 | services. |
18 | (4) A subject of a report may receive, upon written |
19 | request, information contained in the report except that |
20 | prohibited from being disclosed under paragraph (5). |
21 | (5) Except for reports to law enforcement officials, the |
22 | release of information that would identify the person who |
23 | made a report under this chapter or who cooperated in a |
24 | subsequent investigation is prohibited. Law enforcement |
25 | officials shall treat all reporting sources as confidential |
26 | information. |
27 | (6) When the department is involved in the hearing of an |
28 | appeal by a subject of a report, the appropriate department |
29 | staff shall be given access to information in the report |
30 | record relevant to the appeal. |
|
1 | (7) For the purposes of monitoring agency performance, |
2 | appropriate staff of the department may be given access to |
3 | agency protective service records. |
4 | Section 506. Penalties. |
5 | (a) Administrative.-- |
6 | (1) An administrator who intentionally or willfully |
7 | fails to comply or obstructs compliance with the provisions |
8 | of this chapter or intimidates or commits a retaliatory act |
9 | against an employee who complies in good faith with the |
10 | provisions of this chapter commits a violation of this |
11 | chapter and shall be subject to an administrative penalty |
12 | under paragraph (3). |
13 | (2) A facility owner that intentionally or willfully |
14 | fails to comply with or obstructs compliance with this |
15 | chapter or that intimidates or commits a retaliatory act |
16 | against an employee who complies in good faith with this |
17 | chapter commits a violation of this chapter and shall be |
18 | subject to an administrative penalty under paragraph (3). |
19 | (3) The Commonwealth agency or Commonwealth agencies |
20 | which regulate a facility shall have jurisdiction to |
21 | determine violations of this chapter and may issue an order |
22 | assessing a civil penalty of not more than $2,500. An order |
23 | under this paragraph is subject to 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. A |
24 | (relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies) |
25 | and Ch. 7 Subch. A (relating to judicial review of |
26 | Commonwealth agency action). |
27 | (b) Criminal.-- |
28 | (1) An administrator who intentionally or willfully |
29 | fails to comply or obstructs compliance with this chapter |
30 | commits a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall, upon |
|
1 | conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $2,500 or to |
2 | imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. |
3 | (2) A facility owner that intentionally or willfully |
4 | fails to comply with or obstructs compliance with this |
5 | chapter commits a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall, |
6 | upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $2,500 or to |
7 | imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. |
8 | (c) Penalties for failure to report.--A person required |
9 | under this chapter to report a case of suspected abuse or |
10 | neglect who willfully fails to do so commits a summary offense |
11 | for the first violation and a misdemeanor of the third degree |
12 | for a second or subsequent violation. |
13 | (d) Whistleblower protection.--A person required under this |
14 | act to report a case of suspected abuse or neglect shall not be |
15 | subject to any retaliatory action for reporting suspected abuse |
16 | or neglect and shall have the protections and remedies set forth |
17 | in the act of December 12, 1986 (P.L.1559, No.169), known as the |
18 | Whistleblower Law. |
19 | Section 507. Immunity. |
20 | No administrator or facility shall be held civilly liable for |
21 | any action directly related to good faith compliance with this |
22 | chapter. |
23 | CHAPTER 7 |
24 | MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
25 | Section 701. Regulations. |
26 | (a) General rule.--The Department of Health and the |
27 | Department of Public Welfare shall promulgate regulations |
28 | necessary to carry out Chapter 5. |
29 | (b) Development of regulations.--The department shall |
30 | promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this |
|
1 | act. Regulations shall be developed in consultation with adults, |
2 | their families and advocates. |
3 | Section 702. Report. |
4 | The department shall present a report on the program and |
5 | services performed to the Aging and Youth Committee of the |
6 | Senate and the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee of the |
7 | House of Representatives on an annual basis. |
8 | Section 703. Repeals. |
9 | All acts and parts of acts are repealed insofar as they are |
10 | inconsistent with this act. |
11 | Section 704. Effective date. |
12 | This act shall take effect in six months. |
|