Counties screen and assess reports of harm to vulnerable adults

County social services agencies screen reports, assess accepted cases, and provide or arrange protective services. These duties apply to county social services agencies handling reports of suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults. For an emergency referral, the county must screen the report immediately and, if it accepts the case, immediately offer protective services. The county must involve the adult in the assessment and service plan and notify the adult, and a guardian or health care agent when applicable, of the results. For emergency referrals, the county must assess an accepted case within 24 hours. For other accepted cases, it must start the assessment within 72 hours and no later than seven calendar days.

Assisted living facilities may use emergency manual restraints only in limited situations and must report each use. These rules cover assisted living facilities and their residents. A restraint is allowed only when immediate action is needed to protect a resident or another person from an impending risk of physical harm, and it must be the least restrictive option and last only as long as needed. A resident or representative may choose a bed rail or other device after receiving information about the facility's policy and the risks; the facility must document that choice. Reporting rules do not apply to law enforcement or other emergency personnel acting in a licensed role. These rules take effect January 1, 2027. Facilities must notify the resident's representative within 24 hours and report the use to state officials within seven calendar days.

Licensed providers must keep separate accounts for certain housing payments they receive from or for residents. The rule covers licensed programs providing home and community-based services in a multifamily building where the provider or a controlling person has a direct or indirect financial relationship with the property owner. The rule applies when a provider or its controlling person has a financial relationship with the building owner and receives payments to help a resident obtain or keep a unit. The money may be used only for that resident's housing costs, and the rule continues if the resident stops receiving services but keeps making housing payments to the provider. The provider must give account statements monthly and whenever the resident, the resident's representative, or case manager asks. It must provide the same information to the commissioner on request.