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§9-6-1. Definitions.
As used in this article:

(1) "Adult protective services agency" means any public or nonprofit private agency, corporation, board or organization furnishing protective services to adults;

(2) "Abuse" means the infliction or threat to inflict physical pain or injury on or the imprisonment of any incapacitated adult or facility resident;

(3) "Neglect" means:

(A) The unreasonable failure by a caregiver to provide the care necessary to assure the physical safety or health of an incapacitated adult; or

(B) The unlawful expenditure or willful dissipation of the funds or other assets owned or paid to or for the benefit of an incapacitated adult or resident;

(4) "Incapacitated adult" means any person who by reason of physical, mental or other infirmity is unable to independently carry on the daily activities of life necessary to sustaining life and reasonable health;

(5) "Emergency" or "emergency situation" means a situation or set of circumstances which presents a substantial and immediate risk of death or serious injury to an incapacitated adult;

(6) "Legal representative" means a person lawfully invested with the power and charged with the duty of taking care of another person or with managing the property and rights of another person, including, but not limited to, a guardian, conservator, medical power of attorney representative, trustee or other duly appointed person;

(7) "Nursing home" or "facility" means any institution, residence, intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability, care home or any other adult residential facility, or any part or unit thereof, that is subject to the provisions of articles five-c, five-d, five-e or five-h, chapter sixteen of this code;

(8) "Regional long-term care ombudsman" means any paid staff of a designated regional long-term care ombudsman program who has obtained appropriate certification from the Bureau for Senior Services and meets the qualifications set forth in section seven, article five-l, chapter sixteen of this code;

(9) "Facility resident" means an individual living in a nursing home or other facility, as that term is defined in subdivision (7) of this section;

(10) "Responsible family member" means a member of a resident's family who has undertaken primary responsibility for the care of the resident and who has established a working relationship with the nursing home or other facility in which the resident resides. For purposes of this article, a responsible family member may include someone other than the resident's legal representative;

(11) "State Long-term Care Ombudsman" means an individual who meets the qualifications of section five, article five-l, chapter sixteen of this code and who is employed by the State Bureau for Senior Services to implement the State Long-term Care Ombudsman Program;

(12) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources;

(13) "Caregiver" means a person or entity who cares for or shares in the responsibility for the care of an incapacitated adult on a full-time or temporary basis, regardless of whether such person or entity has been designated as a guardian or custodian of the incapacitated adult by any contract, agreement or legal procedures. Caregiver includes health care providers, family members, and any person who otherwise voluntarily accepts a supervisory role towards an incapacitated adult.

§9-6-2. Adult protective services; immunity from civil liability; rules; organization and duties.
(a) There is hereby established and continued within the Department of Health and Human Resources the system of adult protective services heretofore existing.

(b) The secretary shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code regarding the organization and duties of the adult protective services system and the procedures to be used by the department to effectuate the purposes of this article. The rules may be amended and supplemented from time to time.

(c) The secretary shall design and arrange such rules to attain, or move toward the attainment, of the following goals to the extent that the secretary believes feasible under the provisions of this article within the state appropriations and other funds available:

(1) Assisting adults who are abused, neglected or incapacitated in achieving or maintaining self-sufficiency and self-support and preventing, reducing and eliminating their dependency on the state;

(2) Preventing, reducing and eliminating neglect and abuse of adults who are unable to protect their own interests;

(3) Preventing and reducing institutional care of adults by providing less intensive forms of care, preferably in the home;

(4) Referring and admitting abused, neglected or incapacitated adults to institutional care only where other available services are inappropriate;

(5) Providing services and monitoring to adults in institutions designed to assist adults in returning to community settings;

(6) Preventing, reducing and eliminating the exploitation of incapacitated adults and facility residents through the joint efforts of the various agencies of the Department of Health and Human Resources, the adult protective services system, the state and regional long-term care ombudsmen, administrators of nursing homes or other residential facilities and county prosecutors;

(7) Preventing, reducing and eliminating abuse and neglect of residents in nursing homes or facilities; and

(8) Coordinating investigation activities for complaints of abuse and neglect of incapacitated adults and facility residents among the various agencies of the Department of Health and Human Resources, the adult protective services system, the state and regional long-term care ombudsmen, administrators of nursing homes or other residential facilities, county prosecutors, if necessary, and other state or federal agencies or officials, as appropriate.

(d) No adult protective services caseworker may be held personally liable for any professional decision or action thereupon arrived at in the performance of his or her official duties as set forth in this section or agency rules promulgated thereupon: Provided, That nothing in this subsection protects any adult protective services worker from any liability arising from the operation of a motor vehicle or for any loss caused by gross negligence, willful and wanton misconduct or intentional misconduct.

(e) The rules proposed by the secretary shall provide for the means by which the department shall cooperate with federal, state and other agencies to fulfill the objectives of the system of adult protective services.

§9-6-3. Cooperation among agencies; termination and reduction of assistance by commissioner.
The secretary shall direct the coordination of the investigation of complaints of abuse or neglect made pursuant to this article; and the various agencies of the department, the adult protective services system, the state and regional long-term care ombudsmen, administrators of nursing homes or other residential facilities, county prosecutors and any other applicable state or federal agency shall cooperate among each other for the purposes of observing, reporting, investigating and acting upon complaints of abuse or neglect of any incapacitated adult or facility resident in this state.

§9-6-4. Action to abate abuse, neglect or emergency.
The department or any reputable person may bring and maintain an action against any person having actual care, custody or control of an incapacitated adult, for injunctive relief, including a preliminary injunction, to restrain and abate any abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult or to abate an emergency situation. In any such proceeding the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, to protect the interests of the incapacitated adult, who shall not be an employee of the state nor be a party to the proceeding nor be selected by or in the employ of any party to the proceeding: Provided, That the court may by order terminate assistance granted or paid to any person found to have abused or neglected an incapacitated adult and order any such assistance to be paid to another person solely for the use and benefit of such abused or neglected person, and grant such other equitable relief as may be appropriate in the circumstances to restrain and abate such abuse or neglect: Provided, however, That in the case of an action to abate an emergency situation, the court may grant the relief authorized in section five of this article.

§9-6-5. Emergency immediate remedial treatment; procedure.
Whenever a circuit court shall find in an action to abate an emergency situation that there is probable cause to believe that an incapacitated adult is in an emergency situation and that the person or persons having the immediate care, custody and control of such incapacitated adult refuses to take necessary steps to alleviate such emergency, or that such incapacitated adult is without the actual care, custody and control of any persons, it may issue an order of attachment for such incapacitated adult and direct that the peace officer executing the same deliver such incapacitated adult in his custody to a hospital or other safe place except a jail, for immediate remedial treatment to reduce or avoid the risk of death or serious injury. In the event that an order of attachment is issued pursuant to this section, any peace officer executing the order, and such employees of the department the peace officer directs to accompany him, may enter into the place of abode to remove such incapacitated person, notwithstanding the residence therein of other persons.

If any employee or officer of the department shall by direct observation of an incapacitated adult not in the immediate care, custody or control of another have reasonable cause to believe that such incapacitated person is then and there in an emergency situation, then such officer or employee may offer transportation to a hospital or other safe place, other than a jail, to such incapacitated adult for immediate remedial treatment to reduce or avoid the risk of death, or serious injury.

Immediately upon delivery of any incapacitated person to such hospital or other safe place, such officer or employee shall apply to the circuit court for and the court shall appoint, and in the case of an attachment the court shall contemporaneously with its issuance appoint, a guardian ad litem who shall not be an employee of the state, nor be an interested party nor be selected by nor in the employ of any interested party, to represent the interests of such incapacitated adult, and the court shall fix a time, not later than one judicial day later, to determine if such remedial treatment shall continue or such incapacitated adult should be released. A copy of that attachment and notice of such hearing shall be served on any person in whose actual care, custody and control such incapacitated adult is found. If further remedial treatment is required, application shall be promptly made to the county commission or such other proper tribunal for appropriate relief: Provided, That the commitment for further remedial treatment may be continued until proceedings for such appropriate relief be concluded: Provided, however, That application for release from such remedial treatment may be made and granted at any time that the emergency ceases.

§9-6-6. Payment and termination of payment for services to incapacitated adult.
If any incapacitated adult (1) requires and is granted remedial treatment for an emergency or the department determines that an incapacitated adult is (2) abused, or (3) neglected, the department may pay any assistance granted for the use and benefit of such incapacitated adult to the person actually providing care for such adult, and terminate payments to any person alleged or shown to have abused or neglected such incapacitated adult, or to whom such payments were made prior to such remedial treatment, for so long as such remedial treatment continues, or until such abuse or neglect is abated, and such incapacitated adult continues to be in the immediate care, custody and control of such person.

§9-6-7. Comprehensive system of adult protective services; compulsory assistance prohibited.
The department shall develop a plan for a comprehensive system of adult protective services including social case work, medical and psychiatric services, home care, day care, counseling, research and others to achieve the goals of this article.

It shall offer such services as are available and appropriate in the circumstances to persons who, other than for compensation, have or intend to have the actual, physical custody and control of an incapacitated adult and to such incapacitated adults or to adults who may request and be entitled to such protective services: Provided, That except as expressly provided in this article, the department may not directly or indirectly compel the acceptance of such services by any person or discriminate against a person who refuses such services.

§9-6-8. Confidentiality of records.

     (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all records of the department, state and regional long-term care ombudsmen, nursing home or facility administrators, the office of health facility licensure and certification and all protective services agencies concerning an adult or facility resident under this article are confidential and may not be released, except in accordance with the provisions of section eleven of this article.

     (b) Unless the adult concerned is receiving adult protective services or unless there are pending proceedings with regard to the adult, the records maintained by the adult protective services agency shall be destroyed thirty years following their preparation.

     (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or any other provision of this code to the contrary, all records concerning reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults, including all records generated as a result of such reports, may be made available to:

     (1) Employees or agents of the department who need access to the records for official business.

     (2) Any law-enforcement agency investigating a report of known or suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

     (3) The prosecuting attorney of the judicial circuit in which the vulnerable adult resides or in which the alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation occurred.

     (4) A circuit court or the Supreme Court of Appeals subpoenaing the records. The court shall, before permitting use of the records in connection with any court proceeding, review the records for relevancy and materiality to the issues in the proceeding. The court may issue an order to limit the examination and use of the records or any part of the record.

     (5) A grand jury, by subpoena, upon its determination that access to the records is necessary in the conduct of its official business.

     (6) The recognized protection and advocacy agency for the disabled of the State of West Virginia.

     (7) The victim.

     (8) The victim's legal representative, unless he or she is the subject of an investigation under this article.

     (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or any other provision of this code to the contrary, summaries concerning substantiated investigative reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults may be made available to:

     (1) Any person who the department has determined to have abused, neglected or exploited the victim.

     (2) Any appropriate official of the state or regional long- term care ombudsman investigating a report of known or suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

     (3) Any person engaged in bona fide research or auditing, as defined by the department. However, information identifying the subjects of the report may not be made available to the researcher.

     (4) Employees or agents of an agency of another state that has jurisdiction to investigate known or suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults.

     (5) A professional person when the information is necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of, and service delivery to, a vulnerable adult.

     (6) A department administrative hearing officer when the hearing officer determines the information is necessary for the determination of an issue before the officer.

     (e) The identity of any person reporting abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult may not be released, without that person's written consent, to any person other than employees of the department responsible for protective services or the appropriate prosecuting attorney or law-enforcement agency. This subsection grants protection only for the person who reported the abuse, neglect or exploitation and protects only the fact that the person is the reporter. This subsection does not prohibit the subpoena of a person reporting the abuse, neglect or exploitation when deemed necessary by the prosecuting attorney or the department to protect a vulnerable adult who is the subject of a report, if the fact that the person made the report is not disclosed. §9-6-9. Mandatory reporting of incidences of abuse, neglect or emergency situation.

     (a) If any medical, dental or mental health professional, Christian Science practitioner, religious healer, social service worker, law-enforcement officer, humane officer, state or regional ombudsman or any employee of any nursing home or other residential facility has reasonable cause to believe that an incapacitated adult or facility resident is or has been neglected, abused or placed in an emergency situation, or if such person observes an incapacitated adult or facility resident being subjected to conditions that are likely to result in abuse, neglect or an emergency situation, the person shall immediately report the circumstances pursuant to the provisions of section eleven of this article: Provided, That nothing in this article is intended to prevent individuals from reporting on their own behalf.

     (b) In addition to those persons and officials specifically required to report situations involving suspected abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult or facility resident or the existence of an emergency situation, any other person may make such a report.

     (c) The secretary shall develop a form for the filing of written complaints, as provided by section eleven of this article, and provide these forms to all nursing homes or other residential facilities, hospitals, ombudsmen and adult protective service agencies in this state. The forms shall be designed to protect the identity of the complainant, if desired, and to facilitate the prompt filing of complaints.

     (d) The Department of Health and Human Resources shall develop and implement a procedure to notify any person mandated to report suspected abuse and neglect of an incapacitated adult or facility resident of whether an investigation into the reported suspected abuse or neglect has been initiated and when the investigation is completed. §9-6-9a. Mandatory reporting suspected of animal cruelty by adult protective service workers.
In the event an adult protective service worker, in response to a report mandated by section nine of this article, forms a reasonable suspicion that an animal is the victim of cruel or inhumane treatment, he or she shall report the suspicion and the basis therefor to the county humane officer provided under section one, article ten, chapter seven of this code within twenty-four hours of the response to the report.

§9-6-10. Mandatory reporting to medical examiner or coroner; postmortem investigation.
(a) Any person or official who is required under section nine of this article to report cases of suspected abuse or neglect and who has probable cause to believe that an incapacitated adult or facility resident has died as a result of abuse or neglect shall report that fact to the appropriate medical examiner or coroner.

(b) Upon the receipt of such a report, the medical examiner or coroner shall cause an investigation to be made and shall report the findings to the local law-enforcement agency, the local prosecuting attorney, the department's local adult protective services agency, and, if the institution making a report is a hospital, nursing home or other residential facility, to the administrator of the facility, the state and regional long-term care ombudsman and the office of health facility licensure and certification.

§9-6-11. Reporting procedures.
(a) A report of neglect or abuse of an incapacitated adult or facility resident or of an emergency situation involving such an adult shall be made immediately by telephone to the department's local adult protective services agency and shall be followed by a written report by the complainant or the receiving agency within forty-eight hours. The department shall, upon receiving any such report, take such action as may be appropriate and shall maintain a record thereof. The department shall receive such telephonic reports on its twenty-four hour, seven-day-a-week, toll-free number established to receive calls reporting cases of suspected or known adult abuse or neglect.

(b) A copy of any report of abuse, neglect or emergency situation shall be immediately filed with the following agencies:

(1) The department of health and human resources;

(2) The appropriate law-enforcement agency and the prosecuting attorney, if necessary; or

(3) In case of a death, to the appropriate medical examiner or coroner's office.

(c) If the person who is alleged to be abused or neglected is a resident of a nursing home or other residential facility, a copy of the report shall also be filed with the state or regional ombudsman and the administrator of the nursing home or facility.

(d) The department shall omit from such report in the first instance, the name of the person making a report, when requested by such person.

(e) Reports of known or suspected institutional abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult or facility resident or the existence of an emergency situation in an institution, nursing home or other residential facility shall be made, received and investigated in the same manner as other reports provided for in this article. In the case of a report regarding an institution, nursing home or residential facility, the department shall immediately cause an investigation to be conducted.

(f) Upon receipt of a written complaint, the department shall coordinate an investigation pursuant to section three of this article and applicable state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

§9-6-12. Reporting person's immunity from liability.
(a) Any person who in good faith makes or causes to be made any report permitted or required by this article shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise arise solely out of making such report.

(b) No nursing home may discharge or in any manner discriminate against any resident, family member, legal representative or employee for the reason that he or she filed a complaint or participated in any matter or proceeding stemming from the provisions of this article.

(c) Violation of the prohibition contained in subsection (b) of this section by a nursing home or other residential facility constitutes grounds for the suspension or revocation of the license of the facility, if it operates under license pursuant to this code, or other appropriate measure.

§9-6-13. Abrogation of privileged communications.
The privileged status of communications between husband and wife, and with any person required to make reports under sections nine or ten of this article, except communications between an attorney and his client, is hereby abrogated in circumstances involving suspected or known abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult or where the incapacitated adult is in a known or suspected emergency situation.

§9-6-14. Failure to report; penalty.
Any person subject to the mandatory reporting provisions of this article who knowingly fails to make any report required herein or any person who knowingly prevents another person from making such a report is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than ten days, or both fined and imprisoned.

§9-6-15.
Repealed.

Acts, 1997 Reg. Sess., Ch. 72.

§9-6-16. Compelling production of information.
(a)(1) In order to obtain information regarding the location of an adult who is the subject of an allegation of abuse or neglect, the secretary of the department of health and human resources may serve, by certified mail, personal service or facsimile, an administrative subpoena on any corporation, partnership, business or organization for production of information leading to determining the location of the adult. In case of disobedience to the subpoena, adult protective services may petition any circuit court to require the production of information.

(2) In case of disobedience to the subpoena, in compelling the production of information the secretary may invoke the aid of: (A) The circuit court with jurisdiction over the served party, if the entity served is located in this state; or (B) the circuit court of the county in which the local protective services office conducting the investigation is located, if the entity served is a nonresident.

(3) A circuit court shall not enforce an administrative subpoena unless it finds that: (A) The investigation is one the division of adult protective services is authorized to make and is being conducted pursuant to a legitimate purpose; (B) the inquiry is relevant to that purpose; (C) the inquiry is not too broad or indefinite; (D) the information sought is not already in the possession of the division of adult protective services; and (E) any administrative steps required by law have been followed.

(4) If circumstances arise where the secretary, or his or her designee, determines it necessary to compel an individual to provide information regarding the location of an adult who is the subject of an allegation of abuse or neglect, the secretary, or his or her designee, may seek a subpoena from the circuit court with jurisdiction over the individual from whom the information is sought.

Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session