Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 609 § 609.656 — Regulated social worker reporting of abuse or neglect; immunity

Regulated social worker reporting of abuse or neglect; immunity. (1) As used in this section: (a) “Abuse or neglect” means: (A) Animal abuse in the second degree as described in ORS 167.315; (B) Animal abuse in the first degree as described in ORS 167.320; (C) Aggravated animal abuse in the first degree as described in ORS 167.322; (D) Animal neglect in the second degree as described in ORS 167.325; or (E) Animal neglect in the first degree as described in ORS 167.330. (b) “Regulated social worker” means a person authorized under ORS 675.510 to 675.600 to perform regulated social work. (2) Notwithstanding ORS 40.250, in addition to the authorization under ORS 609.654 to report aggravated animal abuse in the first degree, a regulated social worker who is an employee of the Department of Human Services and has reasonable cause to believe that an animal with which the social worker has come in contact as an employee of the department has suffered abuse or neglect, or that any person with whom the social worker has come in contact as an employee of the department has committed abuse or neglect of an animal, may immediately report the suspected abuse or neglect in the manner prescribed in subsection (3) of this section. (3) A report under subsection (2) of this section may be made to a law enforcement agency, either orally or in writing, and may include, if known: (a) The name and description of each animal involved; (b) The address and telephone number of the owner or other person responsible for the care of the animal; (c) The nature and extent of the suspected abuse or neglect; (d) Any evidence of previous abuse or neglect or of previous aggravated animal abuse in the first degree as described in ORS 167.322; (e) Any explanation given for the suspected abuse or neglect; and (f) Any other information that the regulated social worker believes may be helpful in establishing the cause of the suspected abuse or neglect or the identity of a person causing abuse or neglect. (4) A regulated social worker who acts in good faith and has reasonable grounds for making a report under this section of suspected abuse or neglect is not liable in any civil or criminal proceeding brought as a result of making the report. [2015 c.184 §1] MISCELLANEOUS