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CA Welfare & Institutions Code (WIC)
Please note: The codes here are not updated regularly.
California Welfare and Institutions Code referred to all throughout this website as the WIC, are written and figured now in the suggested Laws of Up With People Legal (UWPL). As our Founder presents the legal basis for writing our various proposed Divisions of Law in the Suggested ~Elder Penal Code System~, some of the California related codes utilized for research, is representative of the issues that need to be visited for possible changes.
In all the many different code systems representing our Elderly Crimes, as suggested by the Elderly specialties in the White Papers, Financial Elder Abuse must have a better organized breakdown about Financial Elder Abuse written in the Laws themselves. Without this, as the specialists in the field indicate, Financial Elder Abuse won't have the needed directions in full protection of our Elderly.
Elderly Field Specialists (EFS):
Elderly Field Specialists (hereinafter called: EFS) ~ The Suggestions from the EFS in the white papers, articles, and so much more precise expertise from the EFS Experts in the area of Elderly Crimes. We must adopt change ~ the Elderly Financial Penal Code (EFPC) and the laws are what the EFS Experts are talking about ~ One Code ~ One Elderly Penal Code System ~ as stated in our law written in California Penal Code Paragraph '(a)' ~ California Penal Code (CPC) §368(a)
California Penal Code (CPC) §368(a)
The Legislature finds and declares that crimes against elders and dependent adults are deserving of special consideration and protection, not unlike the special protections provided for minor children, because elders and dependent adults may be confused, on various medications, mentally or physically impaired, or incompetent, and therefore less able to protect themselves, to understand or report criminal conduct, or to testify in court proceedings on their own behalf...
WIC Codes Breakdown:
WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE - WIC DIVISION 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES [10000 - 18999.8] ( Division 9 added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1784. )PART 3. AID AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE [11000 - 15771] ( Part 3 added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1784. ) CHAPTER 11. Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act [15600 - 15675] ( Heading of Chapter 11 amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 774, Sec. 1. ) ARTICLE 2. Definitions [15610 - 15610.70] ( Article 2 repealed and added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. )
15610. The definitions contained in this article shall govern the construction of this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.05. “Abandonment” means the desertion or willful forsaking of an elder or a dependent adult by anyone having care or custody of that person under circumstances in which a reasonable person would continue to provide care and custody. (Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.06. “Abduction” means the removal from this state and the restraint from returning to this state, or the restraint from returning to this state, of any elder or dependent adult who does not have the capacity to consent to the removal from this state and the restraint from returning to this state, or the restraint from returning to this state, as well as the removal from this state or the restraint from returning to this state, of any conservatee without the consent of the conservator or the court. (Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 663, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)
15610.07. (a) “Abuse of an elder or a dependent adult” means any of the following:
(1) Physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental suffering.
(2) The deprivation by a care custodian of goods or services that are necessary to avoid physical harm or mental suffering.
(3) Financial abuse, as defined in Section 15610.30.
(b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2016.
15610.10. “Adult protective services” means those preventive and remedial activities performed on behalf of elders and dependent adults who are unable to protect their own interests, harmed or threatened with harm, caused physical or mental injury due to the action or inaction of another person or their own action as a result of ignorance, illiteracy, incompetence, mental limitation, substance abuse, or poor health, lacking in adequate food, shelter, or clothing, exploited of their income and resources, or deprived of entitlement due them.
(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 946, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1999.)
15610.13. “Adult protective services agency” means a county welfare department, except persons who do not work directly with elders or dependent adults as part of their official duties, including members of support staff and maintenance staff. (Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.15. “Bureau” means the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud within the office of the Attorney General.
(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.17. “Care custodian” means an administrator or an employee of any of the following public or private facilities or agencies, or persons providing care or services for elders or dependent adults, including members of the support staff and maintenance staff:
(a) Twenty-four-hour health facilities, as defined in Sections 1250, 1250.2, and 1250.3 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) Clinics.
(c) Home health agencies.
(d) Agencies providing publicly funded in-home supportive services, nutrition services, or other home and community-based support services.
(e) Adult day health care centers and adult day care.
(f) Secondary schools that serve 18- to 22-year-old dependent adults and postsecondary educational institutions that serve dependent adults or elders.
(g) Independent living centers.
(h) Camps.
(i) Alzheimer’s Disease day care resource centers.
(j) Community care facilities, as defined in Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, and residential care facilities for the elderly, as defined in Section 1569.2 of the Health and Safety Code.
(k) Respite care facilities.
(l) Foster homes.
(m) Vocational rehabilitation facilities and work activity centers.
(n) Designated area agencies on aging.
(o) Regional centers for persons with developmental disabilities.
(p) State Department of Social Services and State Department of Health Services licensing divisions.
(q) County welfare departments.
(r) Offices of patients’ rights advocates and clients’ rights advocates, including attorneys.
(s) The office of the long-term care ombudsman.
(t) Offices of public conservators, public guardians, and court investigators.
(u) Any protection or advocacy agency or entity that is designated by the Governor to fulfill the requirements and assurances of the following:
(1) The federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, contained in Chapter 144 (commencing with Section 15001) of Title 42 of the United States Code, for protection and advocacy of the rights of persons with developmental disabilities.
(2) The Protection and Advocacy for the Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986, as amended, contained in Chapter 114 (commencing with Section 10801) of Title 42 of the United States Code, for the protection and advocacy of the rights of persons with mental illness.
(v) Humane societies and animal control agencies.
(w) Fire departments.
(x) Offices of environmental health and building code enforcement.
(y) Any other protective, public, sectarian, mental health, or private assistance or advocacy agency or person providing health services or social services to elders or dependent adults.(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)
15610.19. “Clergy member” means a priest, minister, rabbi, religious practitioner, or similar functionary of a church, synagogue, temple, mosque, or recognized religious denomination or organization. “Clergy member” does not include unpaid volunteers whose principal occupation or vocation does not involve active or ordained ministry in a church, synagogue, temple, mosque, or recognized religious denomination or organization, and who periodically visit elder or dependent adults on behalf of that church, synagogue, temple, mosque, or recognized religious denomination or organization. (Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2003.)
15610.20. “Clients’ rights advocate” means the individual or individuals assigned by a regional center or state hospital developmental center to be responsible for clients’ rights assurance for persons with developmental disabilities. (Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.23. (a) “Dependent adult” means any person between the ages of 18 and 64 years who resides in this state and who has physical or mental limitations that restrict his or her ability to carry out normal activities or to protect his or her rights, including, but not limited to, persons who have physical or developmental disabilities, or whose physical or mental abilities have diminished because of age.
(b) “Dependent adult” includes any person between the ages of 18 and 64 years who is admitted as an inpatient to a 24-hour health facility, as defined in Sections 1250, 1250.2, and 1250.3 of the Health and Safety Code. (Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2003.)
15610.25. “Developmentally disabled person” means a person with a developmental disability specified by or as described in subdivision (a) of Section 4512. (Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.27. “Elder” means any person residing in this state, 65 years of age or older. (Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.30. (a) “Financial abuse” of an elder or dependent adult occurs when a person or entity does any of the following:
(1) Takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud, or both.
(2) Assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud, or both.
(3) Takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains, or assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining, real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult by undue influence, as defined in Section 15610.70.
(b) A person or entity shall be deemed to have taken, secreted, appropriated, obtained, or retained property for a wrongful use if, among other things, the person or entity takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains the property and the person or entity knew or should have known that this conduct is likely to be harmful to the elder or dependent adult.
(c) For purposes of this section, a person or entity takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains real or personal property when an elder or dependent adult is deprived of any property right, including by means of an agreement, donative transfer, or testamentary bequest, regardless of whether the property is held directly or by a representative of an elder or dependent adult.
(d) For purposes of this section, “representative” means a person or entity that is either of the following:
(1) A conservator, trustee, or other representative of the estate of an elder or dependent adult.
(2) An attorney-in-fact of an elder or dependent adult who acts within the authority of the power of attorney. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 668, Sec. 2. (AB 140) Effective January 1, 2014.)
15610.35. “Goods and services necessary to avoid physical harm or mental suffering” include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(a) The provision of medical care for physical and mental health needs.
(b) Assistance in personal hygiene.
(c) Adequate clothing.
(d) Adequately heated and ventilated shelter.
(e) Protection from health and safety hazards.
(f) Protection from malnutrition, under those circumstances where the results include, but are not limited to, malnutrition and deprivation of necessities or physical punishment.
(g) Transportation and assistance necessary to secure any of the needs set forth in subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive. (Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.37. “Health practitioner” means a physician and surgeon, psychiatrist, psychologist, dentist, resident, intern, podiatrist, chiropractor, registered nurse, dental hygienist, licensed clinical social worker or associate clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, licensed professional clinical counselor, or any other person who is currently licensed under Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions Code, any emergency medical technician I or II, paramedic, or person certified pursuant to Division 2.5 (commencing with Section 1797) of the Health and Safety Code, a psychological assistant registered pursuant to Section 2913 of the Business and Professions Code, a marriage and family therapist trainee, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 4980.03 of the Business and Professions Code, an unlicensed marriage and family therapist intern registered under Section 4980.44 of the Business and Professions Code, a clinical counselor trainee, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section 4999.12 of the Business and Professions Code, a clinical counselor intern registered under Section 4999.42 of the Business and Professions Code, a state or county public health or social service employee who treats an elder or a dependent adult for any condition, a coroner, or a substance use disorder counselor. As used in this section, a “substance use disorder counselor” is a person providing counseling services in an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment program licensed, certified, or funded under Part 2 (commencing with Section 11760) of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code. (Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 407, Sec. 1. (AB 575) Effective January 1, 2018.)
15610.39. “Imminent danger” means a substantial probability that an elder or dependent adult is in imminent or immediate risk of death or serious physical harm, through either his or her own action or inaction, or as a result of the action or inaction of another person. (Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2003.)
15610.40. “Investigation” means that activity undertaken to determine the validity of a report of elder or dependent adult abuse. (Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.43. (a) “Isolation” means any of the following:
(1) Acts intentionally committed for the purpose of preventing, and that do serve to prevent, an elder or dependent adult from receiving his or her mail or telephone calls.
(2) Telling a caller or prospective visitor that an elder or dependent adult is not present, or does not wish to talk with the caller, or does not wish to meet with the visitor where the statement is false, is contrary to the express wishes of the elder or the dependent adult, whether he or she is competent or not, and is made for the purpose of preventing the elder or dependent adult from having contact with family, friends, or concerned persons.
(3) False imprisonment, as defined in Section 236 of the Penal Code.
(4) Physical restraint of an elder or dependent adult, for the purpose of preventing the elder or dependent adult from meeting with visitors.
(b) The acts set forth in subdivision (a) shall be subject to a rebuttable presumption that they do not constitute isolation if they are performed pursuant to the instructions of a physician and surgeon licensed to practice medicine in the state, who is caring for the elder or dependent adult at the time the instructions are given, and who gives the instructions as part of his or her medical care.
(c) The acts set forth in subdivision (a) shall not constitute isolation if they are performed in response to a reasonably perceived threat of danger to property or physical safety. (Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.45. “Local law enforcement agency” means a city police or county sheriff’s department, or a county probation department, except persons who do not work directly with elders or dependent adults as part of their official duties, including members of support staff and maintenance staff.
(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.47. “Long-term care facility” means any of the following:
(a) Any long-term health care facility, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1418 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) Any community care facility, as defined in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, whether licensed or unlicensed.
(c) Any swing bed in an acute care facility, or any extended care facility.
(d) Any adult day health care facility as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1570.7 of the Health and Safety Code.
(e) Any residential care facility for the elderly as defined in Section 1569.2 of the Health and Safety Code.
(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.50. “Long-term care ombudsman” means the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, local ombudsman coordinators, and other persons currently certified as ombudsmen by the Department of Aging as described in Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 9700) of Division 8.5. (Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2003.)
15610.53. “Mental suffering” means fear, agitation, confusion, severe depression, or other forms of serious emotional distress that is brought about by forms of intimidating behavior, threats, harassment, or by deceptive acts performed or false or misleading statements made with malicious intent to agitate, confuse, frighten, or cause severe depression or serious emotional distress of the elder or dependent adult. (Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 559, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2001.)
15610.55. (a) “Multidisciplinary personnel team” means any team of two or more persons who are trained in the prevention, identification, management, or treatment of abuse of elderly or dependent adults and who are qualified to provide a broad range of services related to abuse of elderly or dependent adults.
(b) A multidisciplinary personnel team may include, but need not be limited to, any of the following:
(1) Psychiatrists, psychologists, or other trained counseling personnel.
(2) Police officers or other law enforcement agents.
(3) Medical personnel with sufficient training to provide health services.
(4) Social workers with experience or training in prevention of abuse of elderly or dependent adults.
(5) Public guardians.
(6) The local long-term care ombudsman.
(7) Child welfare services personnel.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 62, Sec. 1. (AB 2379) Effective January 1, 2015.)
15610.57. (a) “Neglect” means either of the following:
(1) The negligent failure of any person having the care or custody of an elder or a dependent adult to exercise that degree of care that a reasonable person in a like position would exercise.
(2) The negligent failure of an elder or dependent adult to exercise that degree of self care that a reasonable person in a like position would exercise.
(b) Neglect includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Failure to assist in personal hygiene, or in the provision of food, clothing, or shelter.
(2) Failure to provide medical care for physical and mental health needs. No person shall be deemed neglected or abused for the sole reason that he or she voluntarily relies on treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in lieu of medical treatment.
(3) Failure to protect from health and safety hazards.
(4) Failure to prevent malnutrition or dehydration.
(5) Failure of an elder or dependent adult to satisfy the needs specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, for himself or herself as a result of poor cognitive functioning, mental limitation, substance abuse, or chronic poor health.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2003.)
15610.60. “Patients’ rights advocate” means a person who has no direct or indirect clinical or administrative responsibility for the patient, and who is responsible for ensuring that laws, regulations, and policies on the rights of the patient are observed.
(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.63. “Physical abuse” means any of the following:
(a) Assault, as defined in Section 240 of the Penal Code.
(b) Battery, as defined in Section 242 of the Penal Code.
(c) Assault with a deadly weapon or force likely to produce great bodily injury, as defined in Section 245 of the Penal Code.
(d) Unreasonable physical constraint, or prolonged or continual deprivation of food or water.
(e) Sexual assault, that means any of the following:
(1) Sexual battery, as defined in Section 243.4 of the Penal Code.
(2) Rape, as defined in Section 261 of the Penal Code.
(3) Rape in concert, as described in Section 264.1 of the Penal Code.
(4) Spousal rape, as defined in Section 262 of the Penal Code.
(5) Incest, as defined in Section 285 of the Penal Code.
(6) Sodomy, as defined in Section 286 of the Penal Code.
(7) Oral copulation, as defined in Section 288a of the Penal Code.
(8) Sexual penetration, as defined in Section 289 of the Penal Code.
(9) Lewd or lascivious acts as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 288 of the Penal Code.
(f) Use of a physical or chemical restraint or psychotropic medication under any of the following conditions:
(1) For punishment.
(2) For a period beyond that for which the medication was ordered pursuant to the instructions of a physician and surgeon licensed in the State of California, who is providing medical care to the elder or dependent adult at the time the instructions are given.
(3) For any purpose not authorized by the physician and surgeon.
(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 823, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 2005.)
15610.65. “Reasonable suspicion” means an objectively reasonable suspicion that a person would entertain, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing when appropriate upon his or her training and experience, to suspect abuse.
(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 594, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15610.67. “Serious bodily injury” means an injury involving extreme physical pain, substantial risk of death, or protracted loss or impairment of function of a bodily member, organ, or of mental faculty, or requiring medical intervention, including, but not limited to, hospitalization, surgery, or physical rehabilitation.
(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 659, Sec. 1. (AB 40) Effective January 1, 2013.)
15610.70. (a) “Undue influence” means excessive persuasion that causes another person to act or refrain from acting by overcoming that person’s free will and results in inequity. In determining whether a result was produced by undue influence, all of the following shall be considered:
(1) The vulnerability of the victim. Evidence of vulnerability may include, but is not limited to, incapacity, illness, disability, injury, age, education, impaired cognitive function, emotional distress, isolation, or dependency, and whether the influencer knew or should have known of the alleged victim’s vulnerability.
(2) The influencer’s apparent authority. Evidence of apparent authority may include, but is not limited to, status as a fiduciary, family member, care provider, health care professional, legal professional, spiritual adviser, expert, or other qualification.
(3) The actions or tactics used by the influencer. Evidence of actions or tactics used may include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(A) Controlling necessaries of life, medication, the victim’s interactions with others, access to information, or sleep.
(B) Use of affection, intimidation, or coercion.
(C) Initiation of changes in personal or property rights, use of haste or secrecy in effecting those changes, effecting changes at inappropriate times and places, and claims of expertise in effecting changes.
(4) The equity of the result. Evidence of the equity of the result may include, but is not limited to, the economic consequences to the victim, any divergence from the victim’s prior intent or course of conduct or dealing, the relationship of the value conveyed to the value of any services or consideration received, or the appropriateness of the change in light of the length and nature of the relationship.
(b) Evidence of an inequitable result, without more, is not sufficient to prove undue influence.
(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 668, Sec. 3. (AB 140) Effective January 1, 2014.)
Adult Protective Services ~ WIC
WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE - WIC DIVISION 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES [10000 - 18999.8] ( Division 9 added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1784. ) PART 3. AID AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE [11000 - 15771] ( Part 3 added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1784. ) CHAPTER 13. Adult Protective Services [15750 - 15766] ( Chapter 13 added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 25, Sec. 3. ) 15750. The definitions contained in Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 15600) shall govern the construction of this chapter. (Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 2003.)
APS ~ WIC:
15751. Each county welfare department shall establish and support a system of protective services to elderly and dependent adults who may be subjected to neglect, abuse, or exploitation, or who are unable to protect their own interest.
This system shall be known as the county adult protective services system.
(Added by renumbering Section 15750 by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 2003.)
15752. Each county shall establish and maintain a specialized entity within the county welfare department which shall have lead responsibility for the operation of the adult protective services program.
(Added by renumbering Section 15751 by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 20. Effective January 1, 2003.)
15753. The department shall, to the extent funding for this purpose remains with the department, establish one full-time position that reports to the director to assist counties with the following functions in their operation of the adult protective services system:
(a) Facilitating the review and update of state policies and procedures to promote best casework practices throughout the state, and providing technical assistance to local programs to promote consistent statewide adherence to these policies.
(b) Developing recommended program goals, performance measures, and outcomes for the adult protective services system, and a strategic plan to accomplish these recommended goals, performance measures, and outcomes.
(c) Collaborating with other state departments and local communities that provide or oversee elder justice services to address the needs of elders and adults with disabilities and improve coordination and effectiveness of adult protective services.
(d) Exploring the development of a state data collection system that builds on existing statewide data and additionally tracks outcomes that will align with national data collection efforts.
(e) Participating in national, statewide, and regional discussions on adult protective services and elder justice issues and providing information on California’s adult protective services programs.
(f) Participating in the development of federal and state policy that responds to new and emergent needs and develops suggested quality assurance measures to be implemented at the local level.
(g) Facilitating the development of a regionally based, ongoing, comprehensive and consistent statewide adult protective services training program that responds to new and emerging trends.
(h) In collaboration with experts in the field, developing guidelines for local adult protective services programs that will make recommendations for local practice in following areas:
(1) Caseload levels for adult protective services workers.
(2) Availability of tangible services for local programs.
(3) Educational and professional development of adult protective services workers.
(4) Structure for 24 hour adult protective services response.
(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 20, Sec. 29. (SB 79) Effective June 24, 2015.)
15754. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law governing the disclosure of information and records, persons who are trained and qualified to serve on multidisciplinary personnel teams may disclose to one another information and records which are relevant to the prevention, identification, or treatment of abuse of elderly or dependent persons.
(b) Except as provided in subdivision (a), any personnel of the multidisciplinary team that receives information pursuant to this chapter, shall be under the same obligations and subject to the same confidentiality penalties as the person disclosing or providing that information. The information obtained shall be maintained in a manner that ensures the maximum protection of privacy and confidentiality rights.
(Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 1166, Sec. 7. Effective September 26, 1987.)
15755. A law enforcement agency may seek a search warrant from a magistrate pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1523) of Title 12 of Part 2 of the Penal Code to enable a peace officer to have access to, and to inspect, premises if a county welfare worker has been denied access to the premises by the person or persons in possession of the premises and there is probable cause to believe an elder or dependent adult on those premises is subject to abuse. While executing the search warrant the peace officer may allow a county welfare worker, or any other appropriate person, to accompany him or her.
(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1246, Sec. 17. Effective January 1, 1995.)
15760. Adult protective services shall include investigations, needs assessments, remedial and preventive social work activities; the necessary tangible resources such as food, transportation, emergency shelter, and in-home protective care; the use of multidisciplinary teams; and a system in which reporting of abuse can occur on a 24-hour basis.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 25. Effective January 1, 2003.)
When Anyone Calls APS, Entry, Assessment, Report is to be done Pursuant to WIC 15762.:
When an allegation of abuse of an elder or dependent adult is reported to a county designated adult protective service agency and an agency social worker has reason to believe an elder or dependent adult has suffered or is at substantial risk of abuse pursuant to Section 15630, the social worker shall attempt to obtain consent to enter and meet privately with the elder or dependent adult about whom the report was made in the residence or dwelling in which the elder or dependent adult resides without the presence of the person’s caretaker, attendant, or family or household member, unless the person requests the presence of the attendant, care giver, or family member, or refuses to meet with the social worker.
15763. (a) Each county shall establish an emergency response adult protective services program that shall provide in-person response, 24 hours per day, seven days per week, to reports of abuse of an elder or a dependent adult, for the purpose of providing immediate intake or intervention, or both, to new reports involving immediate life threats and to crises in existing cases. The program shall include policies and procedures to accomplish all of the following:
(1) Provision of case management services that include investigation of the protection issues, assessment of the person’s concerns, needs, strengths, problems, and limitations, stabilization and linking with community services, and development of a service plan to alleviate identified problems utilizing counseling, monitoring, followup, and reassessment.
(2) Provisions for emergency shelter or in-home protection to guarantee a safe place for the elder or dependent adult to stay until the dangers at home can be resolved.
(3) Establishment of multidisciplinary teams to develop interagency treatment strategies, to ensure maximum coordination with existing community resources, to ensure maximum access on behalf of elders and dependent adults, and to avoid duplication of efforts.
(b) (1) A county shall respond immediately to any report of imminent danger to an elder or dependent adult in other than a long-term care facility, as defined in Section 9701 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or a residential facility, as defined in Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code. For reports involving persons in a long-term care facility or a residential care facility, the county shall report to the local long-term care ombudsman program. Adult protective services staff shall consult, coordinate, and support efforts of the ombudsman program to protect vulnerable residents. Except as specified in paragraph (2), the county shall respond to all other reports of danger to an elder or dependent adult in other than a long-term care facility or residential care facility within 10 calendar days or as soon as practicably possible.
(2) An immediate or 10-day in-person response is not required when the county, based upon an evaluation of risk, determines and documents that the elder or dependent adult is not in imminent danger and that an immediate or 10-day in-person response is not necessary to protect the health or safety of the elder or dependent adult.
(3) The State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association, shall develop requirements for implementation of paragraph (2), including, but not limited to, guidelines for determining appropriate application of this section and any applicable documentation requirements.
(4) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall implement the requirements developed pursuant to paragraph (3) by means of all-county letters or similar instructions prior to adopting regulations for that purpose. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(c) A county shall not be required to report or respond to a report pursuant to subdivision (b) that involves danger to an elder or dependent adult residing in any facility for the incarceration of prisoners that is operated by or under contract to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, a county sheriff’s department, a county probation department, a city police department, or any other law enforcement agency when the abuse reportedly has occurred in that facility.
(d) A county shall provide case management services to elders and dependent adults who are determined to be in need of adult protective services for the purpose of bringing about changes in the lives of victims and to provide a safety net to enable victims to protect themselves in the future. Case management services shall include the following, to the extent services are appropriate for the individual:
(1) Investigation of the protection issues, including, but not limited to, social, medical, environmental, physical, emotional, and developmental.
(2) Assessment of the person’s concerns and needs on whom the report has been made and the concerns and needs of other members of the family and household.
(3) Analysis of problems and strengths.
(4) Establishment of a service plan for each person on whom the report has been made to alleviate the identified problems.
(5) Client input and acceptance of proposed service plans.
(6) Counseling for clients and significant others to alleviate the identified problems and to implement the service plan.
(7) Stabilizing and linking with community services.
(8) Monitoring and followup.
(9) Reassessments, as appropriate.
(e) To the extent resources are available, each county shall provide emergency shelter in the form of a safe haven or in-home protection for victims. Shelter and care appropriate to the needs of the victim shall be provided for frail and disabled victims who are in need of assistance with activities of daily living.
(f) Each county shall designate an adult protective services agency to establish and maintain multidisciplinary teams including, but not limited to, adult protective services, law enforcement, probation departments, home health care agencies, hospitals, adult protective services staff, the public guardian, private community service agencies, public health agencies, and mental health agencies for the purpose of providing interagency treatment strategies.
(g) Each county shall provide tangible support services, to the extent resources are available, which may include, but not be limited to, emergency food, clothing, repair or replacement of essential appliances, plumbing and electrical repair, blankets, linens, and other household goods, advocacy with utility companies, and emergency response units.
(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 617, Sec. 15. (SB 110) Effective January 1, 2011.)
15764. Notwithstanding Section 10101.1, a county shall have no share of any nonfederal expenditures above the required expenditures for this program in the 1996–97 fiscal year, provided that the county has maintained the level of county matching funds it provided for this program in the 1996–97 fiscal year.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 946, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 1999. Section operative May 1, 1999, pursuant to Section 15765.)
15765. This chapter shall become operative on May 1, 1999. Commencing with the 1999–2000 fiscal year, Sections 15760 to 15764, inclusive, shall be implemented only to the extent funds are provided in the annual Budget Act.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 54, Sec. 28. Effective January 1, 2003. Note: This section makes implementation of Sections 15760 to 15764 contingent upon Budget Act funding.)
15766. The investigation of allegations of elder and dependent adult abuse pursuant to this chapter, and the case management of elder and dependent adult abuse cases shall be performed by county merit systems civil service employees. A county adult protective service agency may utilize a contracted private or nonprofit telephone answering service after normal working hours and on weekends and holidays. Such a contracted telephone service shall immediately forward to a county merit systems civil service employee any report of abuse or neglect of an elder or dependent adult, unless the caller is: (a) requesting routine information only; (b) reporting an incident of abuse which occurred prior to the date of the call, which does not at the time of the call put the victim at risk; or (c) requesting information not related to the adult protective service program, and the person answering the telephone meets the standards established by the department. (Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 147, Sec. 36. Effective July 22, 1999.)