§ 46-457 — Elder abuse central registry; mandatory reporting; release of information

Arizona § 46-457

• Jurisdiction: Arizona
• Title 46: Arizona Revised Statutes
• Ch. 4: ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
• Art. 1: General Provisions

Text

A. A person who files an action under this article shall serve notice and one copy of the pleading with the attorney general within thirty days after the action is filed in the superior court. The notice shall identify the action, the person against whom the civil complaint has been filed and that person's attorney. The person who files an action is responsible for submitting a report on the final disposition of the case within thirty days after the final action is taken.

B. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a state agency other than adult protective services that renders an administrative decision that substantiates the allegation of abuse or that files a civil action that alleges abuse, neglect or financial exploitation pursuant to this article or title 36 shall serve notice and one copy of the administrative decision or pleading with the attorney general within thirty days after the administrative decision is rendered or within thirty days after the action is filed in the superior court. The agency is responsible for submitting a report on the final disposition of the case within thirty days after the final action is taken. Adult protective services shall report its findings to the registry established pursuant to section 46-459. The department of economic security shall not provide the notice prescribed in this subsection for information maintained in the adult protective services registry pursuant to section 46-459.

C. If the victim of the offense is a vulnerable adult, a person who files a criminal complaint or indictment involving a violation of this article or section 13-1102, 13-1103, 13-1104, 13-1105, 13-1201, 13-1203, 13-1204, 13-1303, 13-1304, 13-1403, 13-1404, 13-1406, 13-1802, 13-1807, 13-2002, 13-2310 or 13-3623 shall submit a copy of the criminal complaint or indictment to the attorney general within thirty days after arraignment. Within thirty days of the date of issuance of the minute entry the court shall endorse to the attorney general a copy of the sentencing minute entry or the minute entry reflecting the case has been dismissed or a judgment of acquittal has been entered. The attorney general shall develop guidelines to implement this subsection.

D. The attorney general shall maintain a registry containing the names of persons pursuant to subsection A, B or C of this section with the date the action was filed with the superior court or the date the administrative decision was rendered, the dates of the conduct set forth in the complaint, the indictment or decision, the general nature of the complaint, indictment or decision and the disposition of the complaint, indictment or decision, if known.

E. The information maintained pursuant to subsection D of this section is available to the public on written request to the custodian of the registry.

F. A person may submit a written statement on that person's own behalf to the custodian of the registry. The statement is part of the records for distribution in response to all inquiries concerning that person.

G. A person or agency that distributes information in the registry in good faith is not subject to civil or criminal liability.