Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 430 § 430.745 — Investigation of abuse; notice to medical examiners; findings; recommendations

Investigation of abuse; notice to medical examiners; findings; recommendations. (1) Upon receipt of any report of alleged abuse of an adult, or upon receipt of a report of a death of an adult that may have been caused by other than accidental or natural means, the Department of Human Services or its designee shall investigate promptly to determine if abuse occurred or whether a death was caused by abuse. If the department or its designee determines that a law enforcement agency is conducting an investigation of the same incident, the department or its designee need not conduct its own investigation. (2) The department or its designee may enter a facility and inspect and copy records of a facility or community program if necessary for the completion of the investigation. (3) In cases in which the department, its designee or the law enforcement agency conducting the investigation finds reasonable cause to believe that an adult has died as a result of abuse, it shall report that information to the appropriate medical examiner. The medical examiner shall complete an investigation as required under ORS chapter 146 and report the findings to the department, its designee or the law enforcement agency. (4) Upon completion of an investigation conducted by a law enforcement agency, that agency shall provide the department or its designee with a report of its findings and supporting evidence. (5) If the department or its designee determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that abuse occurred at a facility or that abuse was caused or aided by a person licensed by a licensing agency to provide care or services, the department or its designee shall immediately notify each appropriate licensing agency and provide each licensing agency with a copy of its investigative findings. (6) Upon completion of the investigation, the department or its designee shall prepare written findings that include recommended actions and a determination of whether protective services are needed. The department or its designee shall provide appropriate protective services as necessary to prevent further abuse of the adult. Any protective services provided shall be undertaken in a manner that is least intrusive to the adult and provides for the greatest degree of independence that is available within existing resources. (7) If the department or its designee determines that there is reason to believe a crime has occurred, the department or its designee shall report the findings to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The law enforcement agency must confirm its receipt of the report to the department or its designee. The agency shall notify the department or its designee of its determination: (a) That there will be no criminal investigation, including an explanation of why there will be no criminal investigation; (b) That the findings have been given to the district attorney for review; or (c) That there will be a criminal investigation. (8) If a law enforcement agency gives the findings of the department or its designee to the district attorney for review, the district attorney shall notify the department or its designee that the district attorney has received the findings and shall inform the department or its designee whether the findings have been received for review or for filing charges. A district attorney shall make the determination of whether to file charges within six months of receiving the findings of the department or its designee. (9) If a district attorney files charges stemming from a report from the department or its designee and the district attorney makes a determination not to proceed to trial, the district attorney shall notify the department or its designee of the determination and shall include information explaining the basis for the determination. [1991 c.744 §5; 2009 c.837 §§17,18] Note: See note under 430.735.