ND SB2323

Medical and mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, firefighters, members of the clergy, and caregivers must report knowledge of abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults to the department or law enforcement, except clergy are exempt when knowledge comes from spiritual advising.

Any other person may voluntarily report suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults to the department or law enforcement.

All required reports must be made orally or in writing as soon as possible and should include the vulnerable adult's name, age, residence address, caregiver information, nature of abuse or neglect, evidence of previous abuse, and any other relevant information.

Any person required to report who willfully fails to do so is guilty of an infraction.

Any person who willfully makes a false report or provides false information causing a report to be made is guilty of a class B misdemeanor (or class A misdemeanor if made to law enforcement) and is liable in civil action for all damages suffered by the person reported.