Section 15.155. Investigation

(a) Agency response. Upon receipt of a report under § § 15.151 and 15.152 (relating to general requirements; and additional reporting requirements), the agency shall respond as follows:

(1) If the victim or recipient is 60 years of age or older, the agency shall conduct an investigation to determine if the subject of the report is in need of protective services. The investigation by the agency shall be conducted as set forth at § § 15.41—15.47 (relating to investigating reports of need for protective services).

(2) If the victim or recipient is under 60 years of age, the agency may not conduct an investigation. The investigation of the reports shall be conducted by the State agency, if any, that licensed the facility.

(3) If the victim or recipient is under 18 years of age, the agency shall notify and forward reports to the regional office of the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Children, Youth and Families or the State ‘‘ChildLine’’ and the county office of child protective services.

(4) If the victim or recipient resides in a nursing home or is receiving home health services, the agency shall notify and forward reports to the Department of Health office with facility licensing responsibilities and the regional office of the Department of Health.

(5) If the victim or recipient resides in a personal care home, the agency shall notify and forward reports to the Department of Public Welfare regional office with facility licensing responsibilities.

(6) If the victim or recipient resides in a domiciliary care home or receives services from an adult daily living center, the agency shall notify and forward reports to the Department.

(7) If the agency has knowledge or believes that the victim or recipient has mental retardation or a mental health condition, the agency shall notify the Department of Public Welfare office with facility licensing responsibilities and the county MH/MR office in addition to making other reports required by this subsection.

(b) Cooperation. To the fullest extent possible, law enforcement officials, the facility, the Commonwealth agency that licensed the facility and the agency shall coordinate their respective investigations, and shall advise each other and provide applicable additional information on an ongoing basis.

The provisions of this § 15.155 adopted May 17, 2002, effective May 18, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 2412.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 6 Pa. Code § 15.21 (relating to general reporting provisions); and 6 Pa. Code § 15.158 (relating to penalties).