Section 15.41. Reports required to be investigated

(a) General. The agency shall provide for an investigation of a report received under § 15.23 (relating to receiving reports; general agency responsibility) and referred under § 15.26 (relating to screening and referral of reports received) to determine if the report can be substantiated and, if so, immediate steps that are necessary to remove or reduce an imminent risk to person or property. The investigation shall be initiated within 72 hours following the receipt of a report or sooner as provided under § 15.42 (relating to standards for initiating and conducting investigations) and include sufficient collateral information provided by interviews, documents, reports or other methods to determine if the older adult is in need of protective services. When applicable, reports and investigations shall comply with § § 15.141—15.147 (relating to criminal history record information reports).

(b) Trained and identified investigators. Only a person who has completed the minimum training required for protective services caseworkers by the Department under § § 15.121—15.127 (relating to staff training and experience standards) may conduct investigations under this section. When, for reasons unexpected and beyond the agency’s control, a trained staff person is not available to conduct investigations, the agency shall notify the Department and seek the Department’s approval for its proposed plan for carrying out its investigation responsibilities under this section. The agency shall provide each investigator with official credentials which document the identity of the investigator and the legal authority to implement this chapter.

(c) Agency responsibility. The agency is responsible for assuring that an investigation under this section can be conducted whenever circumstances require it. This responsibility includes the provision of standby capability for use if the agency’s regularly assigned staff is not available.

The provisions of this § 15.41 amended May 17, 2002, effective May 18, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 2412. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (228903).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 6 Pa. Code § 15.12 (relating to administrative functions and responsibilities of area agencies on aging); 6 Pa. Code § 15.112 (relating to uses of funding authorized by the act); and 6 Pa. Code § 15.155 (relating to investigation).