VA HB1297

Creates an Adult Protective Services central registry maintained by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services to track substantiated cases of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation

Excludes from the central registry identifying information about adults determined to be self-neglecting or persons who neglected an adult without intent

Makes the registry publicly searchable online when users provide the subject's first and last name, last four digits of social security number, and birth date

Requires records in the adult abuse information system to be purged five years after case closure, while perpetrator records remain in the central registry until removed through a petition process

Allows persons named in unfounded reports who believe the report was made in bad faith or with malicious intent to petition circuit court for release of investigation records