Virginia Law

A. After investigating the report, the local department shall review and evaluate the facts collected and make a disposition as to whether the adult is in need of protective services and, if so, what services are needed.

B. The disposition that the adult needs protective services shall be based on the preponderance of evidence that abuse, neglect, or exploitation has occurred or that the adult is at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The local department may be unable to determine the identity of the alleged perpetrator but the inability to determine the identity of the alleged perpetrator shall not prohibit the local department from issuing a disposition reflecting the need for protective services.

C. Possible dispositions.

1. Needs protective services and accepts. This disposition shall be used when:

a. A review of the facts shows a preponderance of evidence that adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation has occurred or is occurring; and

(1) The adult consents to receive services pursuant to § 63.2-1610 of the Code of Virginia; or

(2) Involuntary protective services are ordered by a court pursuant to § 63.2-1609 or Article 1 (§ 64.2-2000 et seq.) of Chapter 20 of Title 64.2 of the Code of Virginia; or

b. A review of the facts shows a preponderance of evidence that the adult is at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and needs protective services in order to reduce that risk; and

(1) The adult consents to receive services pursuant to § 63.2-1610 of the Code of Virginia; or

(2) Involuntary protective services are ordered by a court pursuant to § 63.2-1609 or Article 1 (§ 64.2-2000 et seq.) of Chapter 20 of Title 64.2 of the Code of Virginia.

2. Needs protective services and refuses. This disposition shall be used when:

a. A review of the facts shows a preponderance of evidence that adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation has occurred or is occurring or the adult is at risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and

b. The adult refuses or withdraws consent to accept protective services pursuant to § 63.2-1610 of the Code of Virginia.

3. Need for protective services no longer exists. This disposition shall be used when the subject of the report no longer needs protective services. A review of the facts shows a preponderance of evidence that adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation has occurred. However, at the time the investigation is initiated or during the course of the investigation, the adult who is the subject of the report ceases to be at risk of further abuse, neglect, or exploitation due to the circumstances or actions that have occurred or have been initiated by the adult or an entity or person other than the local department.

4. Unfounded. This disposition shall be used when review of the facts does not show a preponderance of evidence that abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred or that the adult is at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

5. Invalid. This disposition shall be used when, after initiating the investigation, it is determined that the report does not meet the criteria for a valid report.

D. The investigation shall be completed and a disposition assigned by the local department within 45 calendar days of the date the report was received. If the investigation is not completed within 45 calendar days, the local department shall document reasons for the delay. The disposition shall be entered into the APS case management information system no later than five working days of the conclusion of the investigation.

E. Notification of the completion of the investigation shall be made in writing and shall be mailed to the reporter within 10 working days of the completion of the investigation.

F. Written notification.

1. The local department shall provide written notification to the alleged perpetrator within 30 calendar days of the conclusion of the investigation when:

a. The disposition (i) needs protective services and accepts, (ii) needs protective services and refuses, or (iii) need for protective services no longer exists; and

b. The local department notified a licensing, regulatory, or legal authority of the disposition pursuant to § 63.2-1605 D of the Code of Virginia.

2. The notification shall include a summary of the evidence and information used by the local department to support the findings of the investigation; inform the alleged perpetrator about his right to review; and if applicable, identify all licensing, regulatory, or legal authorities and the date these authorities were notified.

3. The local department may delay notification to the alleged perpetrator by an additional 30 calendar days at the request of a law-enforcement agency.

4. It is optional for the local department to provide such notification to an adult whom the local department determines to be self-neglecting and is therefore considered to be the alleged perpetrator.

G. The local department shall respect the rights of adults with capacity to consider options offered by the local department and refuse services, even if those decisions do not appear to reasonably be in the best interests of the adult.