Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/me-cruelty-reporting-%C2%A7-3477-persons-mandated-report-suspected-abuse-neglect-or-exploitation
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 14:34:39+00:00

Document:
Full Statute Name: Maine Revised Statutes Annotated. Title 22. Health and Welfare. Subtitle 3. Income Supplementation. Part 2. Aged, Blind, Disabled or Medically Indigent Persons. Chapter 958-a. Adult Protective Services Act. Subchapter 1-a. Reporting of Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation. 22 M.R.S.A. § 3477. Persons mandated to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation.
This Maine statute lists the mandated reporters in the state who must immediately report known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation, of an incapacitated or dependent adult. The statute also allows permissive reporting of animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect and allows animal control officers to make reports when necessary.
D. Any person providing transportation services as a volunteer or employee of an agency, business or other entity, whether or not the services are provided for compensation.
The duty to report under this subsection applies to individuals who must report directly to the department. A supervisor or administrator of a person making a report under this section may not impede or inhibit the reporting, and a person making a report may not be subject to any sanction for making a report. Internal procedures to facilitate reporting consistent with this chapter and to ensure confidentiality of and apprise supervisors and administrators of reports may be established as long as those procedures are consistent with this chapter.
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.
C. In the opinion of the person required to report, the abused, neglected or exploited adult's life or health is not immediately threatened.
C. In the opinion of the person required to report, the individual is not incapacitated and the individual's life or health is not immediately threatened.
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.
A. The taking of photographs must be done with minimal trauma to the incapacitated or dependent adult and in a manner consistent with professional forensic standards. Consent to the taking of photographs is not required from the adult's legal guardian or by a health care power of attorney.
B. Photographs must be made available to the department as soon as possible. The department shall pay the reasonable costs of the photographs from funds appropriated for adult protective services.
C. The person shall notify the department as soon as possible if that person is unable to take, or cause to be taken, these photographs.
D. Designated agents of the department may take photographs of any subject matter when necessary and relevant to an investigation of a report of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation or to subsequent adult protection proceedings.
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.
1981, c. 705, § E, 2, eff. May 4, 1982; 1983, c. 616, § 1, eff. Feb. 22, 1984; 1989, c. 259, § 6, eff. June 12, 1989; 1989, c. 858, § 11; 1995, c. 696, § B-3, eff. April 11, 1996; 1997, c. 453, § 4; 2001, c. 345, § 3; 2003, c. 145, § 1; 2003, c. 210, §§ 1, 2; 2003, c. 510, § E-2; 2003, c. 599, §§ 7, 14, eff. April 6, 2004; 2003, c. 653, §§ 9 to 12; 2007, c. 139, § 1; 2007, c. 140, § 4; 2007, c. 577, § 5; 2011, c. 291, §§ 2 to 4.
1. 34-B M.R.S.A. § 1901.

References: § 3477
 § 1
 § 6
 § 11
 § 4
 § 3
 § 1
 § 1
 § 4
 § 5
 § 1901