Safe Seniors
Mandated Reporters
"Any person who has assumed full or intermittent responsibility for care or custody of an
elder or dependent adult, whether or not that person receives compensation, including
administrators, supervisors, and any licensed staff of a public or private facility that
provides care or services for elder or dependent adults, or any elder or dependent adult care
custodian, health practitioner, clergy member, or employee of a county adult protective services
agency or a local law enforcement agency, is a mandated reporter."
-- (Welfare and Institutions Code 15630)
Mandated reporters include:
Elder Care Custodians
Includes administrators or employees, including support staff and maintenance staff who work directly
with elders as part of their official duties in any of the following public or private facilities
when the setting provides care to the elderly:
- 24-hour health facilities, including clinics
- Adult day care centers
- Home health agencies or home care agencies
- Community care facilities
- Residential care facilities
- Respite care facilities
- Governmental health and social services agencies
- Long Term Care Ombudsman personnel
- Any other protective or public assistance agency that provides health services or social services to elders.
Health Practitioners
Physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors,
nurses, emergency medical personnel and coroner are examples.
Adult Protective Services (APS) Agencies
APS social workers and other personnel, including volunteers, who work with elders as part
of their official duties.
Law Enforcement Agencies
Employees of city police or county sheriff's department, or county probation department who
work directly with elders.
Financial Institutions
All employees of banks and credit unions and their partners who learn of any potential financial abuse.
Clergy
Ministers, parish nurses, rabbis, etc.
Mandated reporters are required to report any suspicions of abuse by telephone immediately and file a written report -- the SOC 341 form -- within 48 hours.
