Reports: Voluntary and mandatory; investigation; penalty.
1. Any person who is described in subsection 4 and who, in his professional or occupational capacity, knows or has reasonable cause to believe that an older person has been abused, neglected, exploited or isolated shall:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, report the abuse, neglect, exploitation or isolation of the older person to:
(1) The local office of the Aging Services Division of the Department of Human Resources;
(2) A police department or sheriff’s office;
(3) The county’s office for protective services, if one exists in the county where the suspected action occurred; or
(4) A toll-free telephone service designated by the Aging Services Division of the Department of Human Resources; and
(b) Make such a report as soon as reasonably practicable but not later than 24 hours after the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the older person has been abused, neglected, exploited or isolated.
2. If a person who is required to make a report pursuant to subsection 1 knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the abuse, neglect, exploitation or isolation of the older person involves an act or omission of the Aging Services Division, another division of the Department of Human Resources or a law enforcement agency, the person shall make the report to an agency other than the one alleged to have committed the act or omission.
3. Each agency, after reducing a report to writing, shall forward a copy of the report to the Aging Services Division of the Department of Human Resources.
4. A report must be made pursuant to subsection 1 by the following persons:
(a) Every physician, dentist, dental hygienist, chiropractor, optometrist, podiatric physician, medical examiner, resident, intern, professional or practical nurse, physician assistant, psychiatrist, psychologist, marriage and family therapist, alcohol or drug abuse counselor, athletic trainer, driver of an ambulance, advanced emergency medical technician or other person providing medical services licensed or certified to practice in this state, who examines, attends or treats an older person who appears to have been abused, neglected, exploited or isolated.
(b) Any personnel of a hospital or similar institution engaged in the admission, examination, care or treatment of persons or an administrator, manager or other person in charge of a hospital or similar institution upon notification of the suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation or isolation of an older person by a member of the staff of the hospital.
(c) A coroner.
(d) Every clergyman, practitioner of Christian Science or religious healer, unless he acquired the knowledge of abuse, neglect, exploitation or isolation of the older person from the offender during a confession.
(e) Every person who maintains or is employed by an agency to provide nursing in the home.
(f) Every attorney, unless he has acquired the knowledge of abuse, neglect, exploitation or isolation of the older person from a client who has been or may be accused of such abuse, neglect, exploitation or isolation.
(g) Any employee of the Department of Human Resources.
(h) Any employee of a law enforcement agency or a county’s office for protective services or an adult or juvenile probation officer.
(i) Any person who maintains or is employed by a facility or establishment that provides care for older persons.
(j) Any person who maintains, is employed by or serves as a volunteer for an agency or service which advises persons regarding the abuse, neglect, exploitation or isolation of an older person and refers them to persons and agencies where their requests and needs can be met.
(k) Every social worker.
(l) Any person who owns or is employed by a funeral home or mortuary.
5. A report may be made by any other person.
6. If a person who is required to make a report pursuant to subsection 1 knows or has reasonable cause to believe that an older person has died as a result of abuse, neglect or isolation, the person shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, report this belief to the appropriate medical examiner or coroner, who shall investigate the cause of death of the older person and submit to the appropriate local law enforcement agencies, the appropriate prosecuting attorney and the Aging Services Division of the Department of Human Resources his written findings. The written findings must include the information required pursuant to the provisions of NRS 200.5094, when possible.
7. A division, office or department which receives a report pursuant to this section shall cause the investigation of the report to commence within 3 working days. A copy of the final report of the investigation conducted by a division, office or department, other than the Aging Services Division of the Department of Human Resources, must be forwarded to the Aging Services Division within 90 days after the completion of the report.
8. If the investigation of a report results in the belief that an older person is abused, neglected, exploited or isolated, the Aging Services Division of the Department of Human Resources or the county’s office for protective services may provide protective services to the older person if he is able and willing to accept them.
9. A person who knowingly and willfully violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Last modified: February 25, 2006