§ 12-12-1707 - Adult and long-term care facility resident maltreatment hotline.
12-12-1707. Adult and long-term care facility resident maltreatment hotline.
(a) The Department of Human Services shall maintain a single statewide telephone number that all persons, whether mandated by law or not, may use to report a case of suspected adult maltreatment and long-term care facility resident maltreatment.
(b) When appropriate, a copy of the initial report shall immediately be made available to the appropriate law enforcement agency for its consideration.
(c) (1) The department shall not release information that would identify the person who made the report unless a court of competent jurisdiction orders release of the information after the court has reviewed in camera the record related to the report and has found that disclosure is necessary:
(A) To prevent execution of a crime; or
(B) For prosecution of a crime.
(2) (A) However, any person to whom the name of the reporter is disclosed is prohibited from redisclosing this information, except as provided in subdivision (c)(2)(B) of this section.
(B) (i) Upon request, the information shall be disclosed to:
(a) The Attorney General;
(b) The prosecuting attorney; or
(c) Law enforcement officers.
(ii) However, the information shall remain confidential until criminal charges are filed.
(d) (1) A report of an allegation of suspected adult maltreatment or long-term care facility resident maltreatment shall be accepted if the allegation, if true, would constitute adult maltreatment or long-term care facility resident maltreatment and so long as sufficient identifying information is provided to identify and locate the victim.
(2) A report to the hotline when the allegation, even if true, would not constitute adult maltreatment or long-term care facility resident maltreatment shall be screened out.
(e) (1) The hotline shall accept a report if the victim or offender is present in Arkansas or if the incident occurred in Arkansas.
(2) If the incident occurred in another state, the hotline shall screen out the report and transfer the report to the hotline of the state in which the incident occurred.
(3) Upon request from an adult maltreatment or long-term care facility resident maltreatment investigator in another state, the department shall complete courtesy interviews with the victim, offender, or any witness of adult maltreatment who resides in Arkansas.
(f) Upon registration of a hotline report of suspected adult maltreatment or long-term care facility resident maltreatment, the hotline shall refer the matter immediately to the appropriate investigating agency as outlined in this subchapter.