1. (1) All complaints and reports (including anonymous ones) about adults who, the reporter has reason to believe, have been subjected to abuse, neglect, or exploitation and who have no one able, willing, and available to assume the necessary care and protection shall be investigated by the County Department of Human Resources; or when a report is received from a mandatory reporter, the investigation is completed by the Department of Human Resources or the chief of police or county sheriff, whichever receives the report, and the investigation shall be conducted within seven days after receipt of the oral report. Reports of investigations made by law enforcement officials must be sent to the County Department within twenty-four hours and are to become a part of the client's case record. Such reports by law enforcement or the County Department must include a minimum of:

   1. (a) Name, age, and address of the person being reported on;
   2. (b) Nature and extent of injury of such person; and
   3. (c) Any other facts or circumstances known to the reporter which may aid in the determination of appropriate action.

2. (2) The County Department of Human Resources will investigate all reports within the following time frame:

   1. (a) Investigate, immediately, all reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation when the allegations indicate the adult may be in immediate danger.
   2. (b) Investigate, within seven days of receipt all reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
3. (3) The purpose of the investigation is to establish facts that will be useful in determining whether the adult reported on has been abused, neglected, or exploited and is in need of protective services. The focus of the investigation is on the client and his welfare. The assistance of law enforcement officials may be requested when necessary to complete the investigation. When there is no one else able, willing, and available to provide the necessary care and protection, the Department of Human Resources will intervene.

Author: Patricia Brooks

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§38-2-6, 38-9-1 through -11.

History: Effective June 28, 1983. Emergency amendment effective September 23, 1983. Permanent amendment effective December 9, 1983. Succedent permanent amendment effective January 9, 1990. Succedent permanent amendment effective September 7, 1990. Succedent emergency amendment effective December 17, 1992. Succedent permanent amendment effective March 11, 1993. Succedent emergency amendment effective July 21, 1994. Succedent permanent amendment: Filed September 6, 1994; effective October 11, 1994.