SB0700 Summary

• Allows any person to report suspicions of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect of eligible adults, and expands reporting to include information about suspicious deaths of eligible adults.

• Requires mandated reporters to report within 24 hours if they have reason to believe an eligible adult unable to seek assistance has been subjected to abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation within the previous 12 months; permits internet-based reporting methods.

• Establishes that mandated reporters must report suspected deaths resulting from abuse or neglect to designated agencies or the Department for referral to law enforcement and the coroner or medical examiner.

• Prohibits employers from discharging, demoting, suspending, or discriminating against employees who make good faith reports of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or suspicious deaths of eligible adults, or who participate as witnesses in related investigations.

• Effective January 1, 2022.