§ 12-12-107 — Adult abuse and domestic violence reporting - Definitions

(a) As used in this section: (1) "Adult" means an individual eighteen (18) years of age or older who is not a maltreated adult under the Adult and Long-Term Care Facility Resident Maltreatment Act, § 12-12-1701 et seq.; and (2) "Health care provider" means a person, corporation, facility, or institution licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by the law of this state to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession. (b) A health care provider may report to a law enforcement agency an injury to an adult that the health care provider has reason to believe is the result of a battery or other physically abusive conduct, including physical injuries resulting from domestic violence, if the: (1) Injured adult agrees; or (2) Health care provider determines that the report is necessary to prevent serious harm to the injured adult. (c) A health care provider that makes a report under subdivision (b)(2) of this section shall promptly inform the injured adult that the report has been or will be made. (d) A report under this section shall state the name of the injured adult and the character and extent of the adult's injuries. (e) A report under this section shall be made to one (1) or more of the following law enforcement agencies: (1) The county sheriff; (2) Within a city of the first class, the municipal law enforcement agency; or (3) The Department of Arkansas State Police. (f) A health care provider making or deciding not to make a report in good faith under this section is immune from criminal or civil liability for making or deciding not to make the report.

Legislative History

Acts 2011, No. 1004, § 1.