HB0043 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 03859 KTG 13873 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB0043

Introduced 1/14/2021, by Rep. Katie Stuart

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

320 ILCS 20/4	from Ch. 23, par. 6604
320 ILCS 20/4.1
320 ILCS 20/4.2
320 ILCS 20/5	from Ch. 23, par. 6605
320 ILCS 20/8	from Ch. 23, par. 6608

Amends the Adult Protective Services Act. Provides that any person may report information about the suspicious death of an eligible adult to an agency designated to receive such reports under the Act or to the Department on Aging. Provides that if a mandated reporter has reason to believe that the death of an eligible adult may be the result of abuse or neglect, the matter shall be reported to an agency designated to receive such reports under the Act or to the Department for subsequent referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency and the coroner or medical examiner. Prohibits an employer from discriminating against any employee who reports information about the suspicious death of an eligible adult in accordance with the Act. Provides that any mandated reporter who is required under the Act to report a suspicious death due to abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation shall testify fully in any administrative hearing resulting from such report. Provides that a referral to law enforcement may be made after a report of a suspicious death, depending upon the circumstances. Provides that all records concerning reports of suspicious deaths due to abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect and all records generated as a result of such reports shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, with some exceptions. Effective January 1, 2022.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning aging.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Adult Protective Services Act is amended by changing Sections 4, 4.1, 4.2, 5, and 8 as follows:

(320 ILCS 20/4) (from Ch. 23, par. 6604)

Sec. 4. Reports of abuse or neglect.

(a) Any person who suspects the abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect of an eligible adult may report this suspicion or information about the suspicious death of an eligible adult to an agency designated to receive such reports under this Act or to the Department.

(a-5) If any mandated reporter has reason to believe that an eligible adult, who because of a disability or other condition or impairment is unable to seek assistance for himself or herself, has, within the previous 12 months, been subjected to abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, the mandated reporter shall, within 24 hours after developing such belief, report this suspicion to an agency designated to receive such reports under this Act or to the Department. The agency designated to receive such reports under this Act or the Department may establish a manner in which a mandated reporter can make the required report through an Internet reporting tool. Information sent and received through the Internet reporting tool is subject to the same rules in this Act as other types of confidential reporting established by the designated agency or the Department. Whenever a mandated reporter is required to report under this Act in his or her capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, facility, or agency, he or she shall make a report to an agency designated to receive such reports under this Act or to the Department in accordance with the provisions of this Act and may also notify the person in charge of the institution, facility, or agency or his or her designated agent that the report has been made. Under no circumstances shall any person in charge of such institution, facility, or agency, or his or her designated agent to whom the notification has been made, exercise any control, restraint, modification, or other change in the report or the forwarding of the report to an agency designated to receive such reports under this Act or to the Department. The privileged quality of communication between any professional person required to report and his or her patient or client shall not apply to situations involving abused, neglected, or financially exploited eligible adults and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report as required by this Act.

(a-6) If a mandated reporter has reason to believe that the death of an eligible adult may be the result of abuse or neglect, the matter shall be reported to an agency designated to receive such reports under this Act or to the Department for subsequent referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency and the coroner or medical examiner in accordance with subsection (c-5) of Section 3 of this Act.

(a-7) A person making a report under this Act in the belief that it is in the alleged victim's best interest shall be immune from criminal or civil liability or professional disciplinary action on account of making the report, notwithstanding any requirements concerning the confidentiality of information with respect to such eligible adult which might otherwise be applicable.

(a-9) Law enforcement officers shall continue to report incidents of alleged abuse pursuant to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, notwithstanding any requirements under this Act.

(b) Any person, institution or agency participating in the making of a report, providing information or records related to a report, assessment, or services, or participating in the investigation of a report under this Act in good faith, or taking photographs or x-rays as a result of an authorized assessment, shall have immunity from any civil, criminal or other liability in any civil, criminal or other proceeding brought in consequence of making such report or assessment or on account of submitting or otherwise disclosing such photographs or x-rays to any agency designated to receive reports of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect. Any person, institution or agency authorized by the Department to provide assessment, intervention, or administrative services under this Act shall, in the good faith performance of those services, have immunity from any civil, criminal or other liability in any civil, criminal, or other proceeding brought as a consequence of the performance of those services. For the purposes of any civil, criminal, or other proceeding, the good faith of any person required to report, permitted to report, or participating in an investigation of a report of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect shall be presumed.

(c) The identity of a person making a report of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect or a report concerning information about the suspicious death of an eligible adult under this Act may be disclosed by the Department or other agency provided for in this Act only with such person's written consent or by court order, but is otherwise confidential.

(d) The Department shall by rule establish a system for filing and compiling reports made under this Act.

(e) Any physician who willfully fails to report as required by this Act shall be referred to the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Board for action in accordance with subdivision (A)(22) of Section 22 of the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Any dentist or dental hygienist who willfully fails to report as required by this Act shall be referred to the Department of Professional Regulation for action in accordance with paragraph 19 of Section 23 of the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Any optometrist who willfully fails to report as required by this Act shall be referred to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for action in accordance with paragraph (15) of subsection (a) of Section 24 of the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Any other mandated reporter required by this Act to report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation who willfully fails to report the same is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 97-860, eff. 7-30-12; 98-49, eff. 7-1-13; 98-1039, eff. 8-25-14.)

(320 ILCS 20/4.1)

Sec. 4.1. Employer discrimination. No employer shall discharge, demote or suspend, or threaten to discharge, demote or suspend, or in any manner discriminate against any employee: (i) who makes any good faith oral or written report of suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation; (ii) who makes any good faith oral or written report concerning information about the suspicious death of an eligible adult; or (iii) who is or will be a witness or testify in any investigation or proceeding concerning a report of suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.

(Source: P.A. 98-49, eff. 7-1-13.)

(320 ILCS 20/4.2)

Sec. 4.2. Testimony by mandated reporter and investigator. Any mandated reporter who makes a report or any person who investigates a report under this Act shall testify fully in any judicial proceeding resulting from such report, as to any evidence of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation or the cause thereof. Any mandated reporter who is required to report a suspected case of or a suspicious death due to abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation under Section 4 of this Act shall testify fully in any administrative hearing resulting from such report, as to any evidence of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation or the cause thereof. No evidence shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the alleged abuser or the eligible adult subject of the report under this Act and the person making or investigating the report.

(Source: P.A. 90-628, eff. 1-1-99.)

(320 ILCS 20/5) (from Ch. 23, par. 6605)

Sec. 5. Procedure.

(a) A provider agency designated to receive reports of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect under this Act shall, upon receiving such a report, conduct a face-to-face assessment with respect to such report, in accord with established law and Department protocols, procedures, and policies. Face-to-face assessments, casework, and follow-up of reports of self-neglect by the provider agencies designated to receive reports of self-neglect shall be subject to sufficient appropriation for statewide implementation of assessments, casework, and follow-up of reports of self-neglect. In the absence of sufficient appropriation for statewide implementation of assessments, casework, and follow-up of reports of self-neglect, the designated adult protective services provider agency shall refer all reports of self-neglect to the appropriate agency or agencies as designated by the Department for any follow-up. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, a visit to the residence of the eligible adult who is the subject of the report and shall include interviews or consultations regarding the allegations with service agencies, immediate family members, and individuals who may have knowledge of the eligible adult's circumstances based on the consent of the eligible adult in all instances, except where the provider agency is acting in the best interest of an eligible adult who is unable to seek assistance for himself or herself and where there are allegations against a caregiver who has assumed responsibilities in exchange for compensation. If, after the assessment, the provider agency determines that the case is substantiated it shall develop a service care plan for the eligible adult and may report its findings at any time during the case to the appropriate law enforcement agency in accord with established law and Department protocols, procedures, and policies. In developing a case plan, the provider agency may consult with any other appropriate provider of services, and such providers shall be immune from civil or criminal liability on account of such acts. The plan shall include alternative suggested or recommended services which are appropriate to the needs of the eligible adult and which involve the least restriction of the eligible adult's activities commensurate with his or her needs. Only those services to which consent is provided in accordance with Section 9 of this Act shall be provided, contingent upon the availability of such services.

(b) A provider agency shall refer evidence of crimes against an eligible adult to the appropriate law enforcement agency according to Department policies. A referral to law enforcement may be made at intake, at or any time during the case, or after a report of a suspicious death, depending upon the circumstances. Where a provider agency has reason to believe the death of an eligible adult may be the result of abuse or neglect, the agency shall immediately report the matter to the coroner or medical examiner and shall cooperate fully with any subsequent investigation.

(c) If any person other than the alleged victim refuses to allow the provider agency to begin an investigation, interferes with the provider agency's ability to conduct an investigation, or refuses to give access to an eligible adult, the appropriate law enforcement agency must be consulted regarding the investigation.

(Source: P.A. 101-496, eff. 1-1-20.)

(320 ILCS 20/8) (from Ch. 23, par. 6608)

Sec. 8. Access to records. All records concerning reports of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect or reports of suspicious deaths due to abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect and all records generated as a result of such reports shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except as specifically authorized by this Act or other applicable law. In accord with established law and Department protocols, procedures, and policies, access to such records, but not access to the identity of the person or persons making a report of alleged abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect as contained in such records, shall be provided, upon request, to the following persons and for the following persons:

(1) Department staff, provider agency staff, other aging network staff, and regional administrative agency staff, including staff of the Chicago Department on Aging while that agency is designated as a regional administrative agency, in the furtherance of their responsibilities under this Act;

(1.5) A representative of the public guardian acting in the course of investigating the appropriateness of guardianship for the eligible adult or while pursuing a petition for guardianship of the eligible adult pursuant to the Probate Act of 1975;

(2) A law enforcement agency or State's Attorney's office investigating known or suspected abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect. Where a provider agency has reason to believe that the death of an eligible adult may be the result of abuse or neglect, including any reports made after death, the agency shall immediately provide the appropriate law enforcement agency with all records pertaining to the eligible adult;

(2.5) A law enforcement agency, fire department agency, or fire protection district having proper jurisdiction pursuant to a written agreement between a provider agency and the law enforcement agency, fire department agency, or fire protection district under which the provider agency may furnish to the law enforcement agency, fire department agency, or fire protection district a list of all eligible adults who may be at imminent risk of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect;

(3) A physician who has before him or her or who is involved in the treatment of an eligible adult whom he or she reasonably suspects may be abused, neglected, financially exploited, or self-neglected or who has been referred to the Adult Protective Services Program;

(4) An eligible adult reported to be abused, neglected, financially exploited, or self-neglected, or such adult's authorized guardian or agent, unless such guardian or agent is the abuser or the alleged abuser;

(4.5) An executor or administrator of the estate of an eligible adult who is deceased;

(5) In cases regarding abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, a court or a guardian ad litem, upon its or his or her finding that access to such records may be necessary for the determination of an issue before the court. However, such access shall be limited to an in camera inspection of the records, unless the court determines that disclosure of the information contained therein is necessary for the resolution of an issue then pending before it;

(5.5) In cases regarding self-neglect, a guardian ad litem;

(6) A grand jury, upon its determination that access to such records is necessary in the conduct of its official business;

(7) Any person authorized by the Director, in writing, for audit or bona fide research purposes;

(8) A coroner or medical examiner who has reason to believe that an eligible adult has died as the result of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect. The provider agency shall immediately provide the coroner or medical examiner with all records pertaining to the eligible adult;

(8.5) A coroner or medical examiner having proper jurisdiction, pursuant to a written agreement between a provider agency and the coroner or medical examiner, under which the provider agency may furnish to the office of the coroner or medical examiner a list of all eligible adults who may be at imminent risk of death as a result of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect;

(9) Department of Financial and Professional Regulation staff and members of the Illinois Medical Disciplinary Board or the Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board in the course of investigating alleged violations of the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act by provider agency staff or other licensing bodies at the discretion of the Director of the Department on Aging;

(9-a) Department of Healthcare and Family Services staff and provider agency staff when that Department is funding services to the eligible adult, including access to the identity of the eligible adult;

(9-b) Department of Human Services staff and provider agency staff when that Department is funding services to the eligible adult or is providing reimbursement for services provided by the abuser or alleged abuser, including access to the identity of the eligible adult;

(10) Hearing officers in the course of conducting an administrative hearing under this Act; parties to such hearing shall be entitled to discovery as established by rule;

(11) A caregiver who challenges placement on the Registry shall be given the statement of allegations in the abuse report and the substantiation decision in the final investigative report; and

(12) The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission and the agency designated by the Governor under Section 1 of the Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act shall have access, through the Department, to records, including the findings, pertaining to a completed or closed investigation of a report of suspected abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect of an eligible adult.

(Source: P.A. 98-49, eff. 7-1-13; 98-1039, eff. 8-25-14; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15; 99-287, eff. 1-1-16; 99-547, eff. 7-15-16; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2022.