235B.1 Dependent adult abuse services.

The department shall establish and operate a dependent adult abuse services program. The program shall emphasize the reporting and evaluation of cases of abuse of a dependent adult who is unable to protect the adult's own interests or unable to perform activities necessary to meet essential human needs. The program shall include but is not limited to:

1. The establishment of local or regional multidisciplinary teams to assist in assessing the needs of, formulating and monitoring a treatment plan for, and coordinating services to victims of dependent adult abuse. The membership of a team shall include individuals who possess knowledge and skills related to the diagnosis, assessment, and disposition of dependent adult abuse cases and who are professionals practicing in the disciplines of medicine, public health, mental health, social work, law, law enforcement, or other disciplines relative to dependent adults. Members of a team shall include, but are not limited to, persons representing the area agencies on aging, county attorneys, health care providers, and other persons involved in advocating or providing services to dependent adults.

2. Provisions for information sharing and case consultation among service providers, care providers, and victims of dependent adult abuse.

3. Procedures for referral of cases among service providers, including the referral of victims of dependent adult abuse residing in licensed health care facilities.

4. a. The establishment of a dependent adult protective advisory council. The advisory council shall do all of the following:

b. (1) The advisory council shall consist of ten members. Six members shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor. Four of the members appointed shall be appointed on the basis of knowledge and skill related to expertise in the area of dependent adult abuse including professionals practicing in the disciplines of medicine, public health, mental health, long-term care, social work, law, and law enforcement. Two of the members appointed shall be members of the general public with an interest in the area of dependent adult abuse. In addition, the membership of the council shall include the director or the director's designee of the department of human services, the department of elder affairs, the Iowa department of public health, and the department of inspections and appeals.

(2) The members of the advisory council shall be appointed to terms of four years beginning May 1. Appointments shall comply with sections 69.16 and 69.16A. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(3) Members shall receive actual expenses incurred while serving in their official capacity.

(4) The advisory council shall select a chairperson, annually, from its membership.

(1) Advise the director of human services and the administrator of the division of child and family services of the department of human services regarding dependent adult abuse.

(2) Evaluate state law and rules and make recommendations to the general assembly and to executive branch departments regarding laws and rules concerning dependent adults.

(3) Receive and review recommendations and complaints from the public concerning the dependent adult abuse services program.

235B.10 Examination, requests for correction or expungement and appeal.

1. Any person or that person's attorney shall have the right to examine dependent adult abuse information in the registry which refers to that person. The registry may prescribe reasonable hours and places of examination.

2. A person may file with the department within six months of the date of the notice of the results of an investigation, a written statement to the effect that dependent adult abuse information referring to the person is in whole or in part erroneous, and may request a correction of that information or of the findings of the investigation report. The department shall provide the person with an opportunity for an evidentiary hearing pursuant to chapter 17A to correct the information or the findings, unless the department corrects the information or findings as requested. The department shall delay the expungement of information which is not determined to be founded until the conclusion of a proceeding to correct the information or findings. The department may defer the hearing until the conclusion of a court case relating to the information or findings.

3. The decision resulting from the hearing may be appealed to the court of Polk county by the person requesting the correction or to the court of the district in which the person resides. Immediately upon appeal the court shall order the department to file with the court a certified copy of the dependent adult abuse information. Appeal shall be taken in accordance with chapter 17A.

4. Upon the request of the appellant, the record and evidence in such cases shall be closed to all but the court and its officers, and access to the record and evidence shall be prohibited unless otherwise ordered by the court. The clerk shall maintain a separate docket for such actions. A person other than the appellant shall not permit a copy of the testimony or pleadings or the substance of the testimony or pleadings to be made available to any person other than a party to the action or the party's attorney. Violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be a public offense punishable under section 235B.12.

5. If the registry corrects or eliminates information as requested or as ordered by the court, the registry shall advise all persons who have received the incorrect information of the fact. Upon application to the court and service of notice on the registry, an individual may request and obtain a list of all persons who have received dependent adult abuse information referring to the individual.

6. In the course of any proceeding provided for by this section, the identity of the person who reported the disputed information and the identity of any person who has been reported as having abused an adult may be withheld upon a determination by the registry that disclosure of the person's identity would be detrimental to the person's interest.

235B.11 Civil remedy.

Any aggrieved person may institute a civil action for damages under chapter 669 or 670 or to restrain the dissemination of dependent adult abuse information in violation of this chapter, and any person proven to have disseminated or to have requested and received dependent adult abuse information in violation of this chapter shall be liable for actual damages and exemplary damages for each violation and shall be liable for court costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the party bringing the action. In no case shall the award for damages be less than five hundred dollars.

235B.12 Criminal penalties.

1. Any person who willfully requests, obtains, or seeks to obtain dependent adult abuse information under false pretenses, or who willfully communicates or seeks to communicate dependent adult abuse information to any person except in accordance with sections 235B.6 through 235B.8, or any person connected with any research authorized pursuant to section 235B.6 who willfully falsifies dependent adult abuse information or any records relating to the information is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. Any person who knowingly, but without criminal purposes, communicates or seeks to communicate dependent adult abuse information except in accordance with sections 235B.6 through 235B.8 is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

2. Any reasonable grounds for belief that a person has violated any provision of this chapter is grounds for the immediate withdrawal of any authorized access the person might otherwise have to dependent adult abuse information.

235B.13 Registry reports.

1. The registry may compile statistics, conduct research, and issue reports on dependent adult abuse, provided identifying details of the subjects of dependent adult abuse reports are deleted from any report issued.

2. The registry shall issue an annual report on its administrative operation, including information as to the number of requests for dependent adult abuse data, the proportion of requests attributable to each type of authorized access, the frequency and nature of irregularities, and other pertinent matters.

235B.14 and 235B.15

Reserved.

235B.16 Information, education, and training requirements.

1. The department of elder affairs, in cooperation with the department, shall conduct a public information and education program. The elements and goals of the program include but are not limited to:

a. Informing the public regarding the laws governing dependent adult abuse and the reporting requirements for dependent adult abuse.

b. Providing caretakers with information regarding services to alleviate the emotional, psychological, physical, or financial stress associated with the caretaker and dependent adult relationship.

c. Affecting public attitudes regarding the role of a dependent adult in society.

2. The department, in cooperation with the department of elder affairs and the department of inspections and appeals, shall institute a program of education and training for persons, including members of provider groups and family members, who may come in contact with dependent adult abuse. The program shall include but is not limited to instruction regarding recognition of dependent adult abuse and the procedure for the reporting of suspected abuse.

3. The content of the continuing education required pursuant to chapter 272C for a licensed professional providing care or service to a dependent adult shall include, but is not limited to, the responsibilities, obligations, powers, and duties of a person regarding the reporting of suspected dependent adult abuse, and training to aid the professional in identifying instances of dependent adult abuse.

4. The department of inspections and appeals shall provide training to investigators regarding the collection and preservation of evidence in the case of suspected dependent adult abuse.

5. A person required to report cases of dependent adult abuse pursuant to section 235B.3, other than a physician whose professional practice does not regularly involve providing primary health care to adults, shall complete two hours of training relating to the identification and reporting of dependent adult abuse within six months of initial employment or self-employment which involves the examination, attending, counseling, or treatment of adults on a regular basis. Within one month of initial employment or self-employment, the person shall obtain a statement of the abuse reporting requirements from the person's employer or, if self-employed, from the department. The person shall complete at least two hours of additional dependent adult abuse identification and reporting training every five years.

If the person is an employee of a hospital or similar public or private facility, the employer shall be responsible for providing the training. To the extent that the employer provides approved training on the employer's premises, the hours of training completed by employees shall be included in the calculation of nursing or service hours required to be provided to a patient or resident per day. If the person is self-employed, the person shall be responsible for obtaining the training.

The person may complete the initial or additional training as a part of a continuing education program required under chapter 272C or may complete the training as a part of a training program offered by the department of human services, the department of elder affairs, the department of inspections and appeals, the Iowa law enforcement academy, or a similar public agency.

A person required to complete both child abuse and dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter training may complete the training through a program which combines child abuse and dependent adult abuse curricula and thereby meet the training requirements of both this subsection and section 232.69 simultaneously. A person who is a mandatory reporter for both child abuse and dependent adult abuse may satisfy the combined training requirements of this subsection through completion of a two-hour training program, if the training program curriculum and content are approved by the department of human services.

6. The department shall require an educational program for employees of the registry on the proper use and control of dependent adult abuse information.

235B.17 Provision of protective services with the consent of dependent adult--caretaker refusal.

If a caretaker of a dependent adult, who consents to the receipt of protective services, refuses to allow provision of the services, the department may petition the court for an order enjoining the caretaker from interfering with the provision of services. The petition shall allege specific facts sufficient to demonstrate that the dependent adult is in need of protective services and consents to the provision of services and that the caretaker refuses to allow provision of the services. If the judge finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dependent adult is in need of protective services and consents to the services and that the caretaker refuses to allow the services, the judge may issue an order enjoining the caretaker from interfering with the provision of the protective services.

235B.18 Provision of services to dependent adult who lacks capacity to consent--hearing--findings.

1. If the department reasonably determines that a dependent adult is a victim of dependent adult abuse and lacks capacity to consent to the receipt of protective services, the department may petition the court for an order authorizing the provision of protective services. The petition shall allege specific facts sufficient to demonstrate that the dependent adult is in need of protective services and lacks capacity to consent to the receipt of services.

2. The court shall set the case for hearing within fourteen days of the filing of the petition. The dependent adult shall receive at least five days' notice of the hearing. The dependent adult has the right to be present and represented by counsel at the hearing. If the dependent adult, in the determination of the judge, lacks the capacity to waive the right of counsel, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the dependent adult.

3. If, at the hearing, the judge finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dependent adult is in need of protective services and lacks the capacity to consent to the receipt of protective services, the judge may issue an order authorizing the provision of protective services. The order may include the designation of a person to be responsible for performing or obtaining protective services on behalf of the dependent adult or otherwise consenting to the receipt of protective services on behalf of the dependent adult. Within sixty days of the appointment of such a person the court shall conduct a review to determine if a petition shall be initiated in accordance with section 633.552 for good cause shown. The court may extend the sixty-day period for an additional sixty days, at the end of which the court shall conduct a review to determine if a petition shall be initiated in accordance with section 633.552. A dependent adult shall not be committed to a mental health facility under this section.

4. A determination by the court that a dependent adult lacks the capacity to consent to the receipt of protective services under this chapter shall not affect incompetency proceedings under sections 633.552 through 633.556 or any other proceedings, and incompetency proceedings under sections 633.552 through 633.556 shall not have a conclusive effect on the question of capacity to consent to the receipt of protective services under this chapter.

5. This section shall not be construed and is not intended as and shall not imply a grant of entitlement for services to persons who are not otherwise eligible for the services or for utilization of services which do not currently exist or are not otherwise available.

235B.19 Emergency order for protective services.

1. If the department determines that a dependent adult is suffering from dependent adult abuse which presents an immediate danger to the health or safety of the dependent adult, that the dependent adult lacks capacity to consent to receive protective services, and that no consent can be obtained, the department may petition the court with probate jurisdiction in the county in which the dependent adult resides for an emergency order authorizing protective services.

2. The petition shall be verified and shall include all of the following:

a. The name, date of birth, and address of the dependent adult who needs protective services.

b. The nature of the dependent adult abuse.

c. The services required.

3. Upon finding that there is probable cause to believe that the dependent adult abuse presents an immediate threat to the health or safety of the dependent adult and that the dependent adult lacks capacity to consent to the receipt of services, the court may do any of the following:

a. Order removal of the dependent adult to safer surroundings.

b. Order the provision of medical services.

c. Order the provision of other available services necessary to remove conditions creating the danger to health or safety, including the services of peace officers or emergency services personnel.

4. The emergency order expires at the end of seventy-two hours from the time of the order unless the seventy-two-hour period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in which event the order is automatically extended to four p.m. on the first succeeding business day. An order may be renewed for not more than fourteen additional days. A renewal order that ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday is automatically extended to four p.m. on the first succeeding business day. The court may modify or terminate the emergency order on the petition of the department, the dependent adult, or any person interested in the dependent adult's welfare.

5. If the department cannot obtain an emergency order under this section due to inaccessibility of the court, the department may contact law enforcement to remove the dependent adult to safer surroundings, authorize the provision of medical treatment, and order the provision of or provide other available services necessary to remove conditions creating the immediate danger to the health or safety of the dependent adult. The department shall obtain an emergency order under this section not later than four p.m. on the first succeeding business day after the date on which protective or other services are provided. If the department does not obtain an emergency order within the prescribed time period, the department shall cease providing protective services and, if necessary, make arrangements for the immediate return of the person to the place from which the person was removed, to the person's place of residence in the state, or to another suitable place. A person, agency, or institution acting in good faith in removing a dependent adult or in providing services under this subsection, and an employer of or person under the direction of such a person, agency, or institution, shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as the result of the removal or provision of services.

6. The court may also enter orders as may be appropriate to third persons enjoining them from specific conduct. The orders may include temporary restraining orders which impose criminal sanctions if violated. The court may enjoin third persons from any of the following:

a. Removing the dependent adult from the care or custody of another.

b. Committing dependent adult abuse on the dependent adult.

c. Living at the dependent adult's residence.

d. Contacting the dependent adult in person or by telephone.

e. Selling, removing, or otherwise disposing of the dependent adult's personal property.

f. Withdrawing funds from any bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or other financial institution, or from a stock account in which the dependent adult has an interest.

g. Negotiating any instruments payable to the dependent adult.

h. Selling, mortgaging, or otherwise encumbering any interest that the dependent adult has in real property.

i. Exercising any powers on behalf of the dependent adult through representatives of the department, any court-appointed guardian or guardian ad litem, or any official acting on the dependent adult's behalf.

j. Engaging in any other specified act which, based upon the facts alleged, would constitute harm or a threat of imminent harm to the dependent adult or would cause damage to or the loss of the dependent adult's property.

7. This section shall not be construed and is not intended as and shall not imply a grant of entitlement for services to persons who are not otherwise eligible for the services or for utilization of services which do not currently exist or are not otherwise available.

235B.2 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Caretaker" means a related or nonrelated person who has the responsibility for the protection, care, or custody of a dependent adult as a result of assuming the responsibility voluntarily, by contract, through employment, or by order of the court.

2. "Court" means the district court.

3. "Department" means the department of human services.

4. "Dependent adult" means a person eighteen years of age or older who is unable to protect the person's own interests or unable to adequately perform or obtain services necessary to meet essential human needs, as a result of a physical or mental condition which requires assistance from another, or as defined by departmental rule.

5. a. "Dependent adult abuse" means:

(1) Any of the following as a result of the willful or negligent acts or omissions of a caretaker:

(a) Physical injury to, or injury which is at a variance with the history given of the injury, or unreasonable confinement, unreasonable punishment, or assault of a dependent adult.

(b) The commission of a sexual offense under chapter 709 or section 726.2 with or against a dependent adult.

(c) Exploitation of a dependent adult which means the act or process of taking unfair advantage of a dependent adult or the adult's physical or financial resources for one's own personal or pecuniary profit, without the informed consent of the dependent adult, including theft, by the use of undue influence, harassment, duress, deception, false representation, or false pretenses.

(d) The deprivation of the minimum food, shelter, clothing, supervision, physical or mental health care, or other care necessary to maintain a dependent adult's life or health.

(2) The deprivation of the minimum food, shelter, clothing, supervision, physical or mental health care, and other care necessary to maintain a dependent adult's life or health as a result of the acts or omissions of the dependent adult.

(3) Sexual exploitation of a dependent adult who is a resident of a health care facility, as defined in section 135C.1, by a caretaker providing services to or employed by the health care facility, whether within the health care facility or at a location outside of the health care facility.

"Sexual exploitation" means any consensual or nonconsensual sexual conduct with a dependent adult for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of the caretaker or dependent adult, which includes but is not limited to kissing; touching of the clothed or unclothed inner thigh, breast, groin, buttock, anus, pubes, or genitals; or a sex act, as defined in section 702.17. Sexual exploitation does not include touching which is part of a necessary examination, treatment, or care by a caretaker acting within the scope of the practice or employment of the caretaker; the exchange of a brief touch or hug between the dependent adult and a caretaker for the purpose of reassurance, comfort, or casual friendship; or touching between spouses.

b. "Dependent adult abuse" does not include any of the following:

(1) Circumstances in which the dependent adult declines medical treatment if the dependent adult holds a belief or is an adherent of a religion whose tenets and practices call for reliance on spiritual means in place of reliance on medical treatment.

(2) Circumstances in which the dependent adult's caretaker, acting in accordance with the dependent adult's stated or implied consent, declines medical treatment if the dependent adult holds a belief or is an adherent of a religion whose tenets and practices call for reliance on spiritual means in place of reliance on medical treatment.

(3) The withholding or withdrawing of health care from a dependent adult who is terminally ill in the opinion of a licensed physician, when the withholding or withdrawing of health care is done at the request of the dependent adult or at the request of the dependent adult's next of kin or guardian pursuant to the applicable procedures under chapter 125, 222, 229, or 633.

6. "Emergency shelter services" means and includes, but is not limited to, secure crisis shelters or housing for victims of dependent adult abuse.

7. "Family or household member" means a spouse, a person cohabiting with the dependent adult, a parent, or a person related to the dependent adult by consanguinity or affinity, but does not include children of the dependent adult who are less than eighteen years of age.

8. "Immediate danger to health or safety" means a situation in which death or severe bodily injury could reasonably be expected to occur without intervention.

9. "Individual employed as an outreach person" means a natural person who, in the course of employment, makes regular contacts with dependent adults regarding available community resources.

10. "Legal holiday" means a legal public holiday as defined in section 1C.1.

11. "Person" means person as defined in section 4.1.

12. "Recklessly" means that a person acts or fails to act with respect to a material element of a public offense, when the person is aware of and consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the material element exists or will result from the act or omission. The risk must be of such a nature and degree that disregard of the risk constitutes a gross deviation from the standard conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the situation.

13. "Serious injury" means a disabling mental illness, or a bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

14. "Support services" includes but is not limited to community-based services including area agency on aging assistance, mental health services, fiscal management, home health services, housing-related services, counseling services, transportation services, adult day care services, respite services, legal services, and advocacy services.

235B.20 Dependent adult abuse--initiation of charges--penalty.

1. Charges of dependent adult abuse may be initiated upon complaint of private individuals or as a result of investigations by social service agencies or on the direct initiative of a county attorney or law enforcement agency.

2. A caretaker who intentionally commits dependent adult abuse on a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a class "C" felony if the intentional dependent adult abuse results in serious injury.

3. A caretaker who recklessly commits dependent adult abuse on a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a class "D" felony if the reckless dependent adult abuse results in serious injury.

4. A caretaker who intentionally commits dependent adult abuse on a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a class "C" felony if the intentional dependent adult abuse results in physical injury.

5. A caretaker who commits dependent adult abuse by exploiting a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a class "D" felony if the value of the property, assets, or resources exceeds one hundred dollars.

6. A caretaker who recklessly commits dependent adult abuse on a person in violation of this chapter is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor if the reckless dependent adult abuse results in physical injury.

7. A caretaker who commits dependent adult abuse by exploiting a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a simple misdemeanor if the value of the property, assets, or resources is one hundred dollars or less.

8. A caretaker alleged to have committed a violation of this chapter shall be charged with the respective offense cited, unless a charge may be brought based upon a more serious offense, in which case the charge of the more serious offense shall supersede the less serious charge.

235B.3 Dependent adult abuse reports.

1. The department shall receive dependent adult abuse reports and shall collect, maintain, and disseminate the reports by establishing a central registry for dependent adult abuse information. The department shall evaluate the reports expeditiously. However, the department of inspections and appeals is solely responsible for the evaluation and disposition of dependent adult abuse cases within health care facilities and shall inform the department of human services of such evaluations and dispositions.

Reports of dependent adult abuse which is the result of the acts or omissions of the dependent adult shall be collected and maintained in the files of the dependent adult as assessments only and shall not be included in the central registry.

2. All of the following persons shall report suspected dependent adult abuse to the department:

a. A self-employed social worker.

b. A social worker or an income maintenance worker under the jurisdiction of the department of human services.

c. A social worker employed by a public or private person including a public or private health care facility as defined in section 135C.1.

d. A certified psychologist.

e. A person who, in the course of employment, examines, attends, counsels, or treats a dependent adult and reasonably believes the dependent adult has suffered abuse, including:

(1) A member of the staff of a community mental health center, a member of the staff of a hospital, a member of the staff or employee of a public or private health care facility as defined in section 135C.1.

(2) A peace officer.

(3) An in-home homemaker-home health aide.

(4) An individual employed as an outreach person.

(5) A health practitioner, as defined in section 232.68.

(6) A member of the staff or an employee of a supported community living service, sheltered workshop, or work activity center.

f. A person who performs inspections of elder group homes for the department of elder affairs and a resident advocate committee member assigned to an elder group home pursuant to chapter 231B.

3. If a staff member or employee is required to report pursuant to this section, the person shall immediately notify the person in charge or the person's designated agent, and the person in charge or the designated agent shall make the report by the end of the next business day.

4. Any other person who believes that a dependent adult has suffered abuse may report the suspected abuse to the department of human services.

5. Following the reporting of suspected dependent adult abuse, the department of human services shall complete an assessment of necessary services and shall make appropriate referrals for receipt of these services. The assessment shall include interviews with the dependent adult, and, if appropriate, with the alleged perpetrator of the dependent adult abuse and with any person believed to have knowledge of the circumstances of the case. The department may provide necessary protective services and may establish a sliding fee schedule for those persons able to pay a portion of the protective services.

6. Upon a showing of probable cause that a dependent adult has been abused, a court may authorize a person, also authorized by the department, to make an evaluation, to enter the residence of, and to examine the dependent adult. Upon a showing of probable cause that a dependent adult has been financially exploited, a court may authorize a person, also authorized by the department, to make an evaluation, and to gain access to the financial records of the dependent adult.

7. The department shall inform the appropriate county attorneys of any reports of dependent adult abuse. The department may request information from any person believed to have knowledge of a case of dependent adult abuse. The person, including but not limited to a county attorney, a law enforcement agency, a multidisciplinary team, or a social services agency in the state shall cooperate and assist in the evaluation upon the request of the department. If the department's assessment reveals that dependent adult abuse exists which might constitute a criminal offense, a report shall be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency. County attorneys and appropriate law enforcement agencies shall also take any other lawful action necessary or advisable for the protection of the dependent adult.

a. If, upon completion of the evaluation or upon referral from the department of inspections and appeals, the department determines that the best interests of the dependent adult require court action, the department shall initiate action for the appointment of a guardian or conservator or for admission or commitment to an appropriate institution or facility pursuant to the applicable procedures under chapter 125, 222, 229, or 633, or shall pursue other remedies provided by law. The appropriate county attorney shall assist the department in the preparation of the necessary papers to initiate the action and shall appear and represent the department at all district court proceedings.

b. The department shall assist the court during all stages of court proceedings involving a suspected case of dependent adult abuse.

c. In every case involving abuse which is substantiated by the department and which results in a judicial proceeding on behalf of the dependent adult, legal counsel shall be appointed by the court to represent the dependent adult in the proceedings. The court may also appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the dependent adult if necessary to protect the dependent adult's best interests. The same attorney may be appointed to serve both as legal counsel and as guardian ad litem. Before legal counsel or a guardian ad litem is appointed pursuant to this section, the court shall require the dependent adult and any person legally responsible for the support of the dependent adult to complete under oath a detailed financial statement. If, on the basis of that financial statement, the court deems that the dependent adult or the legally responsible person is able to bear all or a portion of the cost of the legal counsel or guardian ad litem, the court shall so order. In cases where the dependent adult or the legally responsible person is unable to bear the cost of the legal counsel or guardian ad litem, the expense shall be paid by the county.

8. A person participating in good faith in reporting or cooperating with or assisting the department in evaluating a case of dependent adult abuse has immunity from liability, civil or criminal, which might otherwise be incurred or imposed based upon the act of making the report or giving the assistance. The person has the same immunity with respect to participating in good faith in a judicial proceeding resulting from the report or cooperation or assistance or relating to the subject matter of the report, cooperation, or assistance.

9. It shall be unlawful for any person or employer to discharge, suspend, or otherwise discipline a person required to report or voluntarily reporting an instance of suspected dependent adult abuse pursuant to subsection 2 or 4, or cooperating with, or assisting the department of human services in evaluating a case of dependent adult abuse, or participating in judicial proceedings relating to the reporting or cooperation or assistance based solely upon the person's reporting or assistance relative to the instance of dependent adult abuse. A person or employer found in violation of this subsection is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

10. A person required by this section to report a suspected case of dependent adult abuse who knowingly and willfully fails to do so is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. A person required by this section to report a suspected case of dependent adult abuse who knowingly fails to do so is civilly liable for the damages proximately caused by the failure.

11. The department of inspections and appeals shall adopt rules which require licensed health care facilities to separate an alleged dependent adult abuser from a victim following an allegation of perpetration of abuse and prior to the completion of an investigation of the allegation.

235B.3A Prevention of additional abuse--notification of rights.

If a peace officer has reason to believe that dependent adult abuse, which is criminal in nature, has occurred, the officer shall use all reasonable means to prevent further abuse, including but not limited to any of the following:

1. If requested, remaining on the scene as long as there is a danger to the dependent adult's physical safety without the presence of a peace officer, including but not limited to staying in the dwelling unit, or if unable to remain at the scene, assisting the dependent adult in leaving the residence and securing support services or emergency shelter services.

2. Assisting the dependent adult in obtaining medical treatment necessitated by the dependent adult abuse, including providing assistance to the dependent adult in obtaining transportation to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.

3. Providing a dependent adult with immediate and adequate notice of the dependent adult's rights. The notice shall consist of handing the dependent adult a copy of the following written statement, requesting the dependent adult to read the card and asking the dependent adult whether the dependent adult understands the rights:

b. If you are in need of medical treatment, you have the right to request that the peace officer present assist you in obtaining transportation to the nearest hospital or otherwise assist you.

c. If you believe that police protection is needed for your physical safety, you have the right to request that the peace officer present remain at the scene until you and other affected parties can leave or safety is otherwise ensured."

"a. You have the right to ask the court for the following help on a temporary basis:

(1) Keeping the alleged perpetrator away from you, your home, and your place of work.

(2) The right to stay at your home without interference from the alleged perpetrator.

(3) Professional counseling for you, your family, or household members, and the alleged perpetrator of the dependent adult abuse.

The notice shall also contain the telephone number of the local emergency shelter services, support services, or crisis lines operating in the area.

235B.4 Legislative findings and purposes.

The general assembly finds and declares that a central registry is required to provide a single source for the statewide collection, maintenance, and dissemination of dependent adult abuse information. Such a registry is imperative for increased effectiveness in dealing with the problem of dependent adult abuse. The general assembly also finds that vigorous protection of rights of individual privacy is an indispensable element of a fair and effective system of collecting, maintaining, and disseminating dependent adult abuse information.

The purposes of this section and sections 235B.5 to 235B.13 are to facilitate the identification of victims or potential victims of dependent adult abuse by making available a single, statewide source of dependent adult abuse data; to facilitate research on dependent adult abuse by making available a single, statewide source of dependent adult abuse data; and to provide maximum safeguards against the unwarranted invasions of privacy which such a registry might otherwise entail.

235B.5 Creation and maintenance of a central registry.

1. There is created within the department a central registry for dependent adult abuse information. The department shall organize and staff the registry and adopt rules for its operation.

2. The registry shall collect, maintain, and disseminate dependent adult abuse information as provided in this chapter.

3. The department shall maintain a toll-free telephone line, which shall be available on a twenty-four-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week basis and which the department and all other persons may use to report cases of suspected dependent adult abuse and that all persons authorized by this chapter may use for obtaining dependent adult abuse information.

4. An oral report of suspected dependent adult abuse initially made to the central registry shall be immediately transmitted by the department to the appropriate county department of human services or law enforcement agency, or both.

5. An oral report of suspected dependent adult abuse initially made to the central registry regarding a health care facility shall be transmitted by the department to the department of inspections and appeals on the first working day following the submitting of the report.

6. The registry, upon receipt of a report of suspected dependent adult abuse, shall search the records of the registry, and if the records of the registry reveal any previous report of dependent adult abuse involving the same adult or if the records reveal any other pertinent information with respect to the same adult, the appropriate office of the department of human services or the appropriate law enforcement agency shall be immediately notified of that fact.

7. The central registry shall include but not be limited to report data, investigation data, and disposition data.

235B.6 Authorized access.

1. Notwithstanding chapter 22, the confidentiality of all dependent adult abuse information shall be maintained, except as specifically provided by subsections 2 and 3.

2. Access to dependent adult abuse information other than unfounded dependent adult abuse information is authorized only to the following persons:

a. A subject of a report including all of the following:

(1) To an adult named in a report as a victim of abuse or to the adult's attorney or guardian ad litem.

(2) To a guardian or legal custodian, or that person's attorney, of an adult named in a report as a victim of abuse.

(3) To the person or the attorney for the person named in a report as having abused an adult.

b. A person involved in an investigation of dependent adult abuse including all of the following:

(1) A health practitioner or mental health professional who is examining, attending, or treating an adult whom such practitioner or professional believes or has reason to believe has been the victim of abuse or to a health practitioner or mental health professional whose consultation with respect to an adult believed to have been the victim of abuse is requested by the department.

(2) An employee or agent of the department responsible for the investigation of a dependent adult abuse report.

(3) A representative of the department involved in the certification or accreditation of an agency or program providing care or services to a dependent adult believed to have been a victim of abuse.

(4) A law enforcement officer responsible for assisting in an investigation of a dependent adult abuse allegation.

(5) A multidisciplinary team, if the department of human services approves the composition of the multidisciplinary team and determines that access to the team is necessary to assist the department in the investigation, diagnosis, assessment, and disposition of a case of dependent adult abuse.

(6) The mandatory reporter who reported the dependent adult abuse in an individual case.

(7) Each board of examiners specified under chapter 147 and the Iowa department of public health for the purpose of licensure, certification or registration, disciplinary investigation, or the renewal of licensure, certification or registration, or disciplinary proceedings of health care professionals.

c. A person providing care to an adult including all of the following:

(1) A licensing authority for a facility providing care to an adult named in a report.

(2) A person authorized as responsible for the care or supervision of an adult named in a report as a victim of abuse or a person named in a report as having abused an adult if the court or registry deems access to dependent adult abuse information by such person to be necessary.

(3) An employee or agent of the department responsible for registering or licensing or approving the registration or licensing of a person, or to an individual providing care to an adult and regulated by the department.

(4) The legally authorized protection and advocacy agency recognized pursuant to section 135C.2 if a person identified in the information as a victim or a perpetrator of abuse resided in or receives services from a facility or agency because the person is diagnosed as having a developmental disability or a mental illness.

(5) To an administrator of an agency certified by the department of human services to provide services under a medical assistance home and community-based services waiver, if the information concerns a person employed by or being considered by the agency for employment.

(6) To the administrator of an agency providing mental health, mental retardation, or developmental disability services under a county management plan developed pursuant to section 331.439, if the information concerns a person employed by or being considered by the agency for employment.

d. Relating to judicial and administrative proceedings, persons including all of the following:

(1) A court upon a finding that information is necessary for the resolution of an issue arising in any phase of a case involving dependent adult abuse.

(2) A court or administrative agency hearing an appeal for correction of dependent adult abuse information as provided in section 235B.10.

(3) An expert witness at any stage of an appeal necessary for correction of dependent adult abuse information as provided in section 235B.10.

e. Other persons including all of the following:

(1) A person conducting bona fide research on dependent adult abuse, but without information identifying individuals named in a dependent adult abuse report, unless having that information open to review is essential to the research or evaluation and the authorized registry officials give prior written approval and the adult, the adult's guardian or guardian ad litem, and the person named in a report as having abused an adult give permission to release the information.

(2) Registry or department personnel when necessary to the performance of their official duties or a person or agency under contract with the department to carry out official duties and functions of the registry.

(3) The department of justice for the sole purpose of the filing of a claim for reparation pursuant to sections 915.21 and 915.84.

(4) A legally constituted adult protection agency of another state which is investigating or treating an adult named in a report as having been abused.

(5) The attorney for the department who is responsible for representing the department.

(6) A health care facility administrator or the administrator's designee, following the appeals process, for the purpose of hiring staff or continued employment of staff.

(7) The department of public safety for purposes of performing records checks required under section 135C.33.

3. Access to unfounded dependent adult abuse information is authorized only to those persons identified in subsection 2, paragraph "a", paragraph "b", subparagraphs (2) and (6), and paragraph "e", subparagraph (2).

235B.7 Requests for dependent adult abuse information.

1. Requests for dependent adult abuse information shall be in writing on forms prescribed by the department, except as otherwise provided by subsection 2. Request forms shall require information sufficient to demonstrate authorized access.

2. Requests for dependent adult abuse information may be made orally by telephone if a person making the request believes that the information is needed immediately and if information sufficient to demonstrate authorized access is provided. If a request is made orally by telephone, a written request form shall be filed within seventy-two hours of the oral request.

3. Subsections 1 and 2 do not apply to dependent adult abuse information that is disseminated to an employee of the department or to the attorney representing the department as authorized by section 235B.6.

235B.8 Redissemination of dependent adult abuse information.

1. A recipient of dependent adult abuse information authorized to receive the information shall not redisseminate the information, except that redissemination shall be permitted when all of the following conditions apply:

a. The redissemination is for official purposes in connection with prescribed duties or, in the case of a health practitioner, pursuant to professional responsibilities.

b. The person to whom such information would be redisseminated would have independent access to the same information under section 235B.6.

c. A written record is made of the redissemination, including the name of the recipient and the date and purpose of the redissemination.

d. The written record is forwarded to the registry within thirty days of the redissemination.

2. The department may notify, orally, the mandatory reporter in an individual dependent adult abuse case of the results of the case investigation and of the confidentiality provisions of sections 235B.6 and 235B.12. The department shall subsequently transmit a written notice to the mandatory reporter of the results and confidentiality provisions. A copy of the written notice shall be transmitted to the registry and shall be maintained by the registry as provided in section 235B.9.

235B.9 Sealing and expungement of dependent adult abuse information.

1. Dependent adult abuse information relating to a particular case of suspected dependent adult abuse shall be sealed ten years after the receipt of the initial report of such abuse by the registry unless good cause is shown why the information should remain open to authorized access. If a subsequent report of a suspected case of dependent adult abuse involving the adult named in the initial report as the victim of abuse or a person named in such report as having abused an adult is received by the registry within the ten-year period, the information shall be sealed ten years after receipt of the subsequent report unless good cause is shown why the information should remain open to authorized access.

2. Dependent adult abuse information which cannot be determined by a preponderance of the evidence to be founded or unfounded shall be expunged one year after the receipt of the initial report of abuse and dependent adult abuse information which is determined by a preponderance of the evidence to be unfounded shall be expunged immediately when it is determined to be unfounded.

3. However, if a correction of dependent adult abuse information is requested under section 235B.10 and the issue is not resolved at the end of one year the information shall be retained until the issue is resolved and if the dependent adult abuse information is not determined to be founded, the information shall be expunged immediately when it is determined to be unfounded.

4. The registry, at least annually, shall review and determine the current status of dependent adult abuse reports which are at least one year old and in connection with which no investigatory report has been filed by the department. If no investigatory report has been filed, the registry shall request the department to file a report. If a report is not filed within ninety days subsequent to a request, the report and relative information shall be sealed and remain sealed unless good cause is shown why the information should remain open to authorized access.