Maine § 22 §3477 Persons mandated to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation

Maine Statutes

§ 22 §3477 — Persons mandated to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation

Maine·Title 22 HEALTH AND WELFARE·Part 2 AGED, BLIND, DISABLED OR MEDICALLY INDIGENT PERSONS·Ch. 958-A ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES ACT

1.Report required. The following persons immediately shall report to the department when the person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that an incapacitated or dependent adult has been or is likely to be abused, neglected or exploited: 1-A. Permitted reporters. An animal control officer, as defined in Title 7, section 3907, subsection 4, may report to the department when that person has reasonable cause to suspect that an incapacitated or dependent adult has been or is at substantial risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

2.Reports. Reports regarding abuse, neglect or exploitation must be made immediately by telephone to the department and must be followed by a written report within 48 hours if requested by the department. The reports must contain the name and address of the invol

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1.
Report required.
The following persons immediately shall report to the department when the person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that an incapacitated or dependent adult has been or is likely to be abused, neglected or exploited:
1-A.
Permitted reporters.
An animal control officer, as defined in Title 7, section 3907, subsection 4, may report to the department when that person has reasonable cause to suspect that an incapacitated or dependent adult has been or is at substantial risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
2.
Reports.
Reports regarding abuse, neglect or exploitation must be made immediately by telephone to the department and must be followed by a written report within 48 hours if requested by the department. The reports must contain the name and address of the involved adult; information regarding the nature and extent of the abuse, neglect or exploitation; the source of the report; the person making the report; that person's occupation; and where that person can be contacted. The report may contain any other information that the reporter believes may be helpful.
3.
Confidentiality in case of treatment of individual suspected of causing abuse, neglect or exploitation.
This section does not require any person acting in that person's professional capacity to report when all of the following requirements are met:
4.
Confidentiality in case of treatment of individual suspected of being abused, neglected or exploited.
This section does not require any person acting in that person's professional capacity to report when all of the following requirements are met:
5.
Permissive reporting of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect.
Notwithstanding any other provision of state law imposing a duty of confidentiality, a person listed in subsection 1 may report a reasonable suspicion of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect to the local animal control officer or to the animal welfare program of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry established pursuant to Title 7, section 3902. For purposes of this subsection, the reporter shall disclose only such limited confidential information as is necessary for the local animal control officer or animal welfare program employee to identify the animal's location and status and the owner's name and address. For purposes of this subsection, "cruelty, abuse or neglect" has the same meaning as provided in Title 34‑B, section 1901, subsection 1, paragraph B. A reporter under this subsection may assert immunity from civil and criminal liability under Title 34‑B, chapter 1, subchapter 6.
6.
Photographs of visible trauma.
Whenever a person required to report as a staff member of a law enforcement agency or a hospital sees areas of trauma on an incapacitated or dependent adult, that person shall make reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, color photographs of those areas of trauma.
7.
Information about duty to report.
Whenever possible, the department and state licensing boards of professionals required to report under this section shall collaborate to facilitate the dissemination of information regarding the duty to report and the reporting procedure.
8.
Training requirement.
A person required to make a report under subsection 1, paragraph A shall complete at least once every 4 years mandated reporter training approved by the department.

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Legislative History

PL 1981, c. 705, §E2 (NEW). PL 1983, c. 616, §1 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 259, §6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 858, §11 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 696, §B3 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 453, §4 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 345, §3 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 145, §1 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 210, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 510, §E2 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 510, §E4 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 599, §7 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 599, §§9,14 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 653, §§9-12 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 139, §1 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 140, §4 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 577, §5 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 291, §§2-4 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV). PL 2023, c. 36, §1 (AMD). RR 2025, c. 1, Pt. B, §3 (COR).