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S.B. 63

             1     

ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Kevin T. VanTassell

             6     
House Sponsor: David Litvack

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill amends the Aging and Adult Services chapter of the Utah Human Services
             11      Code and related provisions.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    defines and modifies terms;
             15          .    clarifies the rulemaking authority of the Division of Aging and Adult Services;
             16          .    describes the powers and duties of Adult Protective Services;
             17          .    clarifies that a law enforcement agency has discretion regarding whether to open an
             18      investigation of potential criminal conduct against a vulnerable adult;
             19          .    clarifies provisions regarding the collection of photographic, audio, or video
             20      evidence relating to the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult;
             21          .    removes or modifies time restrictions relating to an adult protection case;
             22          .    modifies provisions relating to access to records maintained by Adult Protective
             23      Services;
             24          .    modifies provisions related to the offender database maintained by Adult Protective
             25      Services, including findings made, the notice given to alleged perpetrators, and
             26      procedures to challenge findings;
             27          .    modifies provisions relating to emergency orders; and


             28          .    makes technical changes.
             29      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             30          None
             31      Other Special Clauses:
             32          None
             33      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             34      AMENDS:
             35          62A-2-122, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapters 60, 107, and 188
             36          62A-3-109, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1988, Chapter 1
             37          62A-3-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 31
             38          62A-3-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 31
             39          62A-3-303, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             40          62A-3-304, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             41          62A-3-305, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             42          62A-3-308, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             43          62A-3-309, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             44          62A-3-311, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             45          62A-3-311.1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 50
             46          62A-3-312, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             47          62A-3-318, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             48          62A-3-320, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             49          63-2-202, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 201
             50          63-2-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 2
             51      ENACTS:
             52          62A-3-311.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             53      REPEALS AND REENACTS:
             54          62A-3-307, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             55      REPEALS:
             56          62A-3-306, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             57          62A-3-313, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 108
             58     


             59      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             60          Section 1. Section 62A-2-122 is amended to read:
             61           62A-2-122. Access to vulnerable adult abuse and neglect information.
             62          (1) For purposes of this section:
             63          (a) "Direct service worker" is as defined in Section 62A-5-101 [; and].
             64          (b) "Personal care attendant" is as defined in Section 62A-3-101 .
             65          (2) With respect to a licensee, a certified local inspector applicant, a direct service
             66      worker, or a personal care attendant, the department may access the [data base] database
             67      created by Section 62A-3-311.1 for the purpose of:
             68          (a) (i) determining whether a person associated with a licensee, with direct access to
             69      vulnerable adults, has a supported or substantiated finding of:
             70          (A) abuse;
             71          (B) neglect; or
             72          (C) exploitation; and
             73          (ii) informing a licensee that a person associated with the licensee has a supported or
             74      substantiated finding of:
             75          (A) abuse;
             76          (B) neglect; or
             77          (C) exploitation;
             78          (b) (i) determining whether a certified local inspector applicant has a supported or
             79      substantiated finding of:
             80          (A) abuse;
             81          (B) neglect; or
             82          (C) exploitation; and
             83          (ii) informing a local government that a certified local inspector applicant has a
             84      supported or substantiated finding of:
             85          (A) abuse;
             86          (B) neglect; or
             87          (C) exploitation; [or]
             88          (c) (i) determining whether a direct service worker has a supported or substantiated
             89      finding of:


             90          (A) abuse;
             91          (B) neglect; or
             92          (C) exploitation; and
             93          (ii) informing a direct service worker or the direct service worker's employer that the
             94      direct service worker has a supported or substantiated finding of:
             95          (A) abuse;
             96          (B) neglect; or
             97          (C) exploitation; or
             98          (d) (i) determining whether a personal care attendant has a supported or substantiated
             99      finding of:
             100          (A) abuse;
             101          (B) neglect; or
             102          (C) exploitation; and
             103          (ii) informing a person described in Subsections 62A-3-101 (9)(a)(i) through (iv) that a
             104      personal care attendant has a supported or substantiated finding of:
             105          (A) abuse;
             106          (B) neglect; or
             107          (C) exploitation;
             108          (3) After receiving identifying information for a person under Subsection
             109      62A-2-120 (1), the department shall process the information for the purposes described in
             110      Subsection (2).
             111          (4) The department shall adopt rules under Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
             112      Rulemaking Act, consistent with this chapter and [consistent with Section 62A-3-311.1 ] Title
             113      62A, Chapter 3, Part 3, Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults, defining the
             114      circumstances under which a person may have direct access or provide services to vulnerable
             115      adults when the person is listed in the statewide database of the Division of Aging and Adult
             116      Services created by Section 62A-3-311.1 as having a supported or substantiated finding of
             117      abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
             118          Section 2. Section 62A-3-109 is amended to read:
             119           62A-3-109. Adjudicative proceedings.
             120          [The] Adjudicative proceedings held by, or relating to, the division or the board shall


             121      comply with the procedures and requirements of Title 63, Chapter 46b, [in its adjudicative
             122      proceedings] Administrative Procedures Act.
             123          Section 3. Section 62A-3-301 is amended to read:
             124           62A-3-301. Definitions.
             125          As used in this part:
             126          (1) "Abandonment" means any knowing or intentional action or [inaction] failure to
             127      act, including desertion, by a person or entity acting as a caretaker for a vulnerable adult that
             128      leaves the vulnerable adult without the means or ability to obtain necessary food, clothing,
             129      shelter, or medical or other health care.
             130          (2) "Abuse" means:
             131          (a) knowingly or intentionally:
             132          [(a)] (i) attempting to cause harm[, intentionally or knowingly];
             133          (ii) causing harm[, or intentionally or knowingly]; or
             134          (iii) placing another in fear of [imminent] harm;
             135          (b) unreasonable or inappropriate use of physical restraint, medication, or isolation that
             136      causes or is likely to cause harm to a vulnerable adult [that is in conflict with a physician's
             137      orders or used as an unauthorized substitute for treatment, unless that conduct furthers the
             138      health and safety of the adult];
             139          (c) emotional or psychological abuse;
             140          (d) a sexual offense as described in Title 76, Chapter 5, Offenses Against the Person;
             141      or
             142          (e) deprivation of life sustaining treatment, or medical or mental health treatment,
             143      except:
             144          (i) as provided in Title 75, Chapter 2a, Advance Health Care Directive Act; or
             145          (ii) when informed consent, as defined in Section 76-5-111 , has been obtained.
             146          (3) "Adult" means a person who is 18 years of age or older.
             147          (4) "Adult protection case file" means [documents and information] a record, stored in
             148      any format, contained in [the] a case file maintained by Adult Protective Services [on a
             149      particular case, including any report or other notification received by the division or Adult
             150      Protective Services].
             151          (5) "Adult Protective Services" means the unit within the division responsible to


             152      investigate abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults and provide appropriate
             153      protective services.
             154          (6) "Capacity to consent" means the ability of a person to understand and communicate
             155      regarding the nature and consequences of decisions relating to the person, and relating to the
             156      person's property and lifestyle, including a decision to accept or refuse services.
             157          [(6)] (7) "Caretaker" means [any] each person, entity, corporation, or public institution
             158      that assumes the responsibility to provide a vulnerable adult with care, food, shelter, clothing,
             159      supervision, medical or other health care, resource management, or other necessities.
             160      ["Caretaker" includes a relative by blood or marriage, a household member, a person who is
             161      employed or who provides volunteer work, or a person who contracts or is under court order to
             162      provide care.]
             163          [(7)] (8) "Counsel" means an attorney licensed to practice law in this state.
             164          (9) "Database" means the statewide database maintained by the division under Section
             165      62A-3-311.1 .
             166          [(8)] (10) "Elder abuse" means abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elder adult.
             167          [(9)] (11) "Elder adult" means a person 65 years of age or older.
             168          [(10)] (12) "Emergency" means a circumstance in which a vulnerable adult is at an
             169      immediate risk of death [or], serious physical injury, or [is at risk of immediate,] serious
             170      physical, emotional, or financial harm. [Risk of immediate, serious harm includes exploitation
             171      that results in the inability of a vulnerable adult to provide funds for immediate needs,
             172      including food, shelter, and necessary medical care.]
             173          [(11)] (13) (a) "Emotional or psychological abuse" means [intentional or] knowing or
             174      intentional verbal or nonverbal conduct directed at a vulnerable adult [including ridiculing,
             175      intimidating, yelling, swearing, threatening, isolating, coercing, harassing, or other forms of
             176      intimidating behavior] that results or could result in the vulnerable adult suffering mental
             177      anguish [or], emotional distress, [including] fear, humiliation, degradation, agitation, or
             178      confusion[, or isolation].
             179          (b) "Emotional or psychological abuse" includes ridiculing, intimidating, yelling,
             180      swearing, threatening, isolating, coercing, or harassing.
             181          [(12)] (14) "Exploitation" means the offense described in Subsection 76-5-111 (4).
             182          [(13)] (15) "Harm" means pain, mental anguish, emotional distress, hurt, physical or


             183      psychological damage, physical injury, serious physical injury, suffering, or distress inflicted
             184      knowingly or intentionally.
             185          (16) "Inconclusive" means a finding by the division that there is not a reasonable basis
             186      to conclude that abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred.
             187          [(14)] (17) "Intimidation" means communication through verbal or nonverbal conduct
             188      which threatens deprivation of money, food, clothing, medicine, shelter, social interaction,
             189      supervision, health care, or companionship, or which threatens isolation or abuse.
             190          [(15)] (18) (a) "Isolation" means knowingly or intentionally preventing a vulnerable
             191      adult from having contact with another person by:
             192          (i) preventing the vulnerable adult from receiving visitors, mail, or telephone calls,
             193      contrary to the [express] expressed wishes of the vulnerable adult, including communicating to
             194      a visitor that the vulnerable adult is not present or does not want to meet with or talk to the
             195      visitor, knowing that communication to be false;
             196          (ii) physically restraining the vulnerable adult in order to prevent the vulnerable adult
             197      from meeting with a visitor; or
             198          (iii) making false or misleading statements to the vulnerable adult in order to induce
             199      the vulnerable adult to refuse to receive communication from visitors or other family members.
             200          (b) The term "isolation" does not include an act intended to protect the physical or
             201      mental welfare of the vulnerable adult or an act performed pursuant to the treatment plan or
             202      instructions of a physician or other professional advisor of the vulnerable adult.
             203          [(16)] (19) "Lacks capacity to consent" has the meaning as provided in Section
             204      76-5-111 .
             205          [(17)] (20) (a) "Neglect" means:
             206          [(a)] (i) (A) failure of a caretaker to provide necessary care, including nutrition,
             207      clothing, shelter, supervision, personal care, or dental, medical, or other health care for a
             208      vulnerable adult, unless the vulnerable adult is able to provide or obtain the necessary care
             209      without assistance; or
             210          [(ii)] (B) failure of a caretaker to provide protection from health and safety hazards or
             211      maltreatment;
             212          [(b)] (ii) failure of a caretaker to provide care to a vulnerable adult in a timely manner
             213      and with the degree of care that a reasonable person in a like position would exercise;


             214          [(c)] (iii) a pattern of conduct by a caretaker, without the vulnerable adult's informed
             215      consent, resulting in deprivation of food, water, medication, health care, shelter, cooling,
             216      heating, or other services necessary to maintain the vulnerable adult's well being;
             217          [(d)] (iv) knowing or intentional failure by a caretaker to carry out a prescribed
             218      treatment plan that causes or is likely to cause harm to the vulnerable adult;
             219          [(e)] (v) self-neglect by the vulnerable adult; or
             220          [(f)] (vi) abandonment by a caretaker.
             221          [(18) "Physical injury" includes damage to any bodily tissue caused by nontherapeutic
             222      conduct, to the extent that the tissue must undergo a healing process in order to be restored to a
             223      sound and healthy condition, or damage to any bodily tissue to the extent that the tissue cannot
             224      be restored to a sound and healthy condition. "Physical injury" includes skin bruising, a
             225      dislocation, physical pain, illness, impairment of physical function, a pressure sore, bleeding,
             226      malnutrition, dehydration, a burn, a bone fracture, a subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling,
             227      injury to any internal organ, or any other physical condition that imperils the health or welfare
             228      of a vulnerable adult and is not a serious physical injury as defined in this section.]
             229          (b) "Neglect" does not include conduct, or failure to take action, that is permitted or
             230      excused under Title 75, Chapter 2a, Advance Health Care Directive Act.
             231          (21) "Physical injury" includes the damage and conditions described in Section
             232      76-5-111 .
             233          [(19)] (22) "Protected person" means a vulnerable adult for whom the court has
             234      ordered protective services[, including a vulnerable adult for whom emergency protective
             235      services have been established under the provisions of this chapter].
             236          [(20) "Protective services" means any services provided by Adult Protective Services
             237      to a vulnerable adult, either with the consent of the vulnerable adult or the vulnerable adult's
             238      guardian or conservator, or by court order, if that adult has been abused, neglected, exploited,
             239      or is in a state of self-neglect; protective services may include:]
             240          [(a) an intake system for receiving and screening reports;]
             241          [(b) investigation of referrals in accordance with statutory and policy guidelines;]
             242          [(c) protective needs assessment;]
             243          [(d) coordination and referral to community resources for services; or]
             244          [(e) short-term, limited services including emergency shelter or respite when family or


             245      other community resources are not available to provide protection.]
             246          (23) "Protective services" means services to protect a vulnerable adult from abuse,
             247      neglect, or exploitation.
             248          [(21)] (24) "Self-neglect" means the failure of a vulnerable adult to provide or obtain
             249      food, water, medication, health care, shelter, cooling, heating, safety, or other services
             250      necessary to maintain the vulnerable adult's well being when that failure is the result of the
             251      adult's mental or physical impairment. Choice of lifestyle or living arrangements may not, by
             252      themselves, be evidence of self-neglect.
             253          [(22)] (25) "Serious physical injury" [has the meaning as provided] is as defined in
             254      Section 76-5-111 .
             255          [(23) "Substantiated" or "substantiation" means a finding, based upon a preponderance
             256      of the evidence, that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that abuse, neglect, or exploitation
             257      occurred, regardless of whether there is an identified perpetrator or current need for protective
             258      services. If more than one allegation is made or identified during the course of the
             259      investigation, any allegation determined to meet the criteria for substantiation requires a case
             260      finding of "substantiated."]
             261          (26) "Supported" means a finding by the division that there is a reasonable basis to
             262      conclude that abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred.
             263          [(24)] (27) "Undue influence" occurs when a person uses the person's role, relationship,
             264      or power to exploit, or knowingly assist or cause another to exploit, the trust, dependency, or
             265      fear of a vulnerable adult, or uses the person's role, relationship, or power to gain control
             266      deceptively over the decision making of the vulnerable adult.
             267          [(25) "Unsubstantiated" means a finding, based upon a preponderance of the evidence,
             268      that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred.]
             269          [(26)] (28) "Vulnerable adult" means an elder adult, or an adult who has a mental or
             270      physical impairment which substantially affects that person's ability to:
             271          (a) provide personal protection;
             272          (b) provide necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or mental or other health care;
             273          (c) obtain services necessary for health, safety, or welfare;
             274          (d) carry out the activities of daily living;
             275          (e) manage the adult's own financial resources; or


             276          (f) comprehend the nature and consequences of remaining in a situation of abuse,
             277      neglect, or exploitation.
             278          (29) "Without merit" means a finding that abuse, neglect, or exploitation did not occur.
             279          Section 4. Section 62A-3-302 is amended to read:
             280           62A-3-302. Purpose of Adult Protective Services Program.
             281          Subject to the rules made by the division under Section 62A-3-106.5 , Adult Protective
             282      Services [shall]:
             283          (1) shall investigate or cause to be investigated reports of alleged abuse, neglect, or
             284      exploitation of vulnerable adults [occurring in all settings]; [and]
             285          (2) shall, where appropriate, provide short-term, limited protective services with the
             286      permission of the affected vulnerable adult or the guardian or conservator of the vulnerable
             287      adult[. The division may promulgate rules]; and
             288          (3) may make rules, in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
             289      Rulemaking Act, and develop procedures and policies [to be used in] relating to:
             290          (i) reporting and investigating incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation[, and in
             291      investigating]; and
             292          (ii) providing protective services to the extent that funds are appropriated by the
             293      Legislature for this purpose.
             294          Section 5. Section 62A-3-303 is amended to read:
             295           62A-3-303. Powers and duties of Adult Protective Services.
             296          In addition to all other powers and duties that Adult Protective Services is given under
             297      this part, Adult Protective Services:
             298          (1) shall maintain an intake system for receiving and screening reports;
             299          (2) shall investigate reports;
             300          (3) shall perform protective needs assessments;
             301          (4) may coordinate with, or make referrals to, community resources;
             302          (5) may provide limited services to a vulnerable adult, on a temporary basis, when
             303      family or community resources are not available to provide for the protective needs of the
             304      vulnerable adult;
             305          [(1)] (6) shall have access to facilities licensed by, or contracting with [either], the
             306      department or the Department of Health for the purpose of conducting investigations;


             307          [(2) has authority to receive, upon request,]
             308          (7) shall be given access to, or provided with, written statements, documents, exhibits,
             309      and other items [pertinent] related to an investigation, including medical or financial records of
             310      a vulnerable adult who is the subject of an investigation [when] if:
             311          (a) for a vulnerable adult who does not lack the capacity to consent, the vulnerable
             312      adult signs a release of information [is provided by the vulnerable adult who does not lack
             313      capacity to consent]; or
             314          (b) for a vulnerable adult who lacks the capacity to consent, [and] an administrative
             315      subpoena [has been] is issued [through] by Adult Protective Services;
             316          [(3) has authority to]
             317          (8) may institute proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to seek relief
             318      necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter;
             319          [(4) has authority to]
             320          (9) may require all persons, including family members of a vulnerable adult and any
             321      caretaker, to cooperate with Adult Protective Services in carrying out its duties under this
             322      chapter, including conducting investigations and providing protective services;
             323          [(5)] (10) may require all officials, agencies, departments, and political subdivisions of
             324      the state to assist and cooperate within their jurisdictional power with the court, the division,
             325      and Adult Protective Services in furthering the purposes of this chapter;
             326          [(6)] (11) may conduct studies and compile data regarding abuse, neglect, and
             327      exploitation; and
             328          [(7)] (12) may issue reports and recommendations.
             329          Section 6. Section 62A-3-304 is amended to read:
             330           62A-3-304. Cooperation by caretaker.
             331          A caretaker, facility, or other institution [may not use its own] shall, regardless of the
             332      confidentiality standards [as a basis for failure to] of the caretaker, facility, or institution:
             333          (1) report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult in accordance with this
             334      chapter;
             335          (2) cooperate with any Adult Protective Services investigation;
             336          (3) provide Adult Protective Services with access to records or documents relating to
             337      the vulnerable adult who is the subject of an investigation; or


             338          (4) provide evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding relating to a
             339      vulnerable adult who is the subject of an investigation.
             340          Section 7. Section 62A-3-305 is amended to read:
             341           62A-3-305. Reporting requirements -- Investigation -- Immunity -- Violation --
             342      Penalty -- Physician-patient privilege -- Nonmedical healing.
             343          (1) Any person who has reason to believe that any vulnerable adult has been the subject
             344      of abuse, neglect, or exploitation shall immediately notify Adult Protective Services intake or
             345      the nearest law enforcement agency. When the initial report is made to law enforcement, law
             346      enforcement shall immediately notify Adult Protective Services intake. Adult Protective
             347      Services and law enforcement shall coordinate, as appropriate, their efforts to provide
             348      protection to the vulnerable adult.
             349          (2) When the initial report or subsequent investigation by Adult Protective Services
             350      indicates that a criminal offense may have occurred against a vulnerable adult[, it]:
             351          (a) Adult Protective Services shall notify the nearest local law enforcement agency[.
             352      That] regarding the potential offense; and
             353          (b) the law enforcement agency [shall] may initiate an investigation in cooperation
             354      with Adult Protective Services.
             355          (3) Anyone who in good faith makes a report or otherwise notifies a law enforcement
             356      agency[, the division,] or Adult Protective Services of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation
             357      is immune from civil and criminal liability in connection with the report or other notification.
             358          (4) Any person who willfully fails to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of
             359      a vulnerable adult is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
             360          (5) Under circumstances not amounting to a violation of Section 76-8-508 , a person
             361      who threatens, intimidates, or attempts to intimidate a vulnerable adult who is the subject of a
             362      report, a witness, the person who made the report, or any other person cooperating with an
             363      investigation conducted pursuant to this chapter is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
             364          [(6) The physician-patient privilege does not constitute grounds for excluding evidence
             365      regarding a vulnerable adult's injuries, or the cause of those injuries, in any judicial or
             366      administrative proceeding resulting from a report made in good faith pursuant to this part.]
             367          [(7)] (6) An adult is not considered abused, neglected, or a vulnerable adult for the
             368      reason that the adult has chosen to rely solely upon religious, nonmedical forms of healing in


             369      lieu of medical care.
             370          Section 8. Section 62A-3-307 is repealed and reenacted to read:
             371          62A-3-307. Photographing, video, and audio taping.
             372          Law enforcement or Adult Protective Services investigators may collect evidence
             373      regarding alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult by taking, or causing to
             374      be taken, photographs, video tape recordings, or audio or video tape accounts of a vulnerable
             375      adult, if the vulnerable adult:
             376          (1) consents to the taking of the photographs, video tape recordings, or audio or video
             377      tape accounts; or
             378          (2) lacks the capacity to give the consent described in Subsection (1).
             379          Section 9. Section 62A-3-308 is amended to read:
             380           62A-3-308. Peace officer's authority to transport -- Notification.
             381          (1) A peace officer may remove and transport, or cause to have transported, a
             382      vulnerable adult to an appropriate medical or shelter facility, if:
             383          (a) the officer has probable cause to believe that:
             384          (i) by reason of abuse, neglect, or exploitation there exist [emergency] exigent
             385      circumstances; and[:]
             386          [(a)] (ii) the vulnerable adult will suffer serious physical injury or death if not
             387      immediately placed in a safe environment;
             388          (b) the vulnerable adult refuses to consent or lacks capacity to consent; and
             389          (c) there is not time to notify interested parties or to apply for a warrant or other court
             390      order.
             391          (2) [The] A peace officer [shall] described in Subsection (1) shall, within four hours
             392      after a vulnerable adult is transported to an appropriate medical or shelter facility:
             393          (a) notify Adult Protective Services [within four hours of transporting a vulnerable
             394      adult to a medical or shelter facility.] intake; and
             395          (b) request that Adult Protective Services or the division [shall] file a petition with the
             396      court for an emergency protective order [under Section 62A-3-320 within 24 hours after being
             397      notified, not including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays].
             398          Section 10. Section 62A-3-309 is amended to read:
             399           62A-3-309. Enforcement by division -- Duty of county or district attorney.


             400          (1) It is the duty of the county or district attorney, as appropriate under Sections
             401      17-18-1 , 17-18-1.5 , and 17-18-1.7 , to:
             402          (a) assist and represent the division [and to];
             403          (b) initiate legal proceedings to protect vulnerable adults; and
             404          (c) take appropriate action to prosecute the alleged offenders.
             405          (2) [When] If the county or district attorney fails to act upon the request of the division
             406      to provide legal assistance within [30 days of the request,] five business days after the day on
             407      which the request is made:
             408          (a) the division may request the attorney general to act [and, in the attorney general's
             409      discretion,]; and
             410          (b) the attorney general may, in the attorney general's discretion, assume the
             411      responsibilities and carry the action forward in place of the county or district attorney.
             412          Section 11. Section 62A-3-311 is amended to read:
             413           62A-3-311. Requests for information.
             414          (1) Requests for [information contained in an adult protection case file] records
             415      maintained by Adult Protective Services shall be made in writing to Adult Protective Services.
             416      [Requests should indicate the specific information requested and the reason for the request.
             417      Notwithstanding the provisions of Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and
             418      Management Act, nothing may be released in response to a request except as provided in
             419      Section 62A-3-312 .]
             420          (2) Classification and disclosure of records shall be made in accordance with Title 63,
             421      Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act.
             422          Section 12. Section 62A-3-311.1 is amended to read:
             423           62A-3-311.1. Statewide database -- Restricted use and access.
             424          (1) The division shall maintain a [data base] database for reports of vulnerable adult
             425      abuse, neglect, or exploitation made pursuant to this part.
             426          (2) The [data base] database shall include:
             427          (a) the names and identifying data of the alleged abused, neglected, or exploited
             428      vulnerable adult and the [reported abuser] alleged perpetrator;
             429          (b) information regarding whether or not the allegation of abuse, neglect, or
             430      exploitation was [substantiated or unsubstantiated; and] found to be:


             431          (i) supported;
             432          (ii) inconclusive;
             433          (iii) without merit; or
             434          (iv) for reports for which the finding is made before May 5, 2008:
             435          (A) substantiated; or
             436          (B) unsubstantiated; and
             437          (c) any other information that may be helpful in furthering the purposes of this part, as
             438      determined by the division[, subject to the restrictions of Section 62A-3-306 ].
             439          (3) Information obtained from the [data base] database may be used only [for]:
             440          (a) [compiling] for statistical summaries compiled by the department that do not
             441      include names or other identifying data;
             442          [(b) granting or denying licenses or other grants of privilege by the department where
             443      identification as a possible adult abuser may be relevant to the privilege in question, in
             444      accordance with Subsection (4); and]
             445          [(c) licensing purposes by the Bureau of Licensing within the Department of Health, as
             446      provided for in Section 26-21-9.5 , in determining whether a person associated with a covered
             447      health care facility who provides direct care to vulnerable adults has a substantiated finding of
             448      vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation if identification as a possible perpetrator is
             449      relevant to the employment activities of that person.]
             450          [(4) (a) A license or privilege may not be denied under Subsection (3) solely on the
             451      basis of information in the data base.]
             452          [(b) Before a license or privilege may be denied under Subsection (3), the department
             453      taking the action shall conduct a review and provide the person making application for the
             454      license or privilege with notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with Title 63,
             455      Chapter 46b, Administrative Procedures Act.]
             456          (b) where identification of a person as a perpetrator may be relevant in a determination
             457      regarding whether to grant or deny a license, privilege, or approval made by:
             458          (i) the department;
             459          (ii) the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing;
             460          (iii) the Bureau of Licensing, within the Department of Health;
             461          (iv) any government agency specifically authorized by statute to access or use the


             462      information in the database; or
             463          (v) an agency of another state that performs a similar function to an agency described
             464      in Subsections (3)(b)(i) through (iv); or
             465          (c) as otherwise specifically provided by law.
             466          Section 13. Section 62A-3-311.5 is enacted to read:
             467          62A-3-311.5. Notice of supported finding -- Procedure for challenging finding --
             468      Limitations.
             469          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), within 15 days after the day on which
             470      the division makes a supported finding that a person committed abuse, neglect, or exploitation
             471      of a vulnerable adult, the division shall serve the person with a notice of agency action, in
             472      accordance with Subsections (2) and (3).
             473          (b) The division may serve the notice described in Subsection (1)(a) within a
             474      reasonable time after the 15 day period described in Subsection (1)(a) if:
             475          (i) the delay is necessary in order to:
             476          (A) avoid impeding an ongoing criminal investigation or proceeding; or
             477          (B) protect the safety of a person; and
             478          (ii) the notice is provided before the supported finding is used as a basis to deny the
             479      person a license or otherwise adversely impact the person.
             480          (2) The division shall cause the notice described in Subsection (1)(a) to be served by
             481      personal service or certified mail.
             482          (3) The notice described in Subsection (1)(a) shall:
             483          (a) indicate that the division has conducted an investigation regarding alleged abuse,
             484      neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult by the alleged perpetrator;
             485          (b) indicate that, as a result of the investigation described in Subsection (3)(a), the
             486      division made a supported finding that the alleged perpetrator committed abuse, neglect, or
             487      exploitation of a vulnerable adult;
             488          (c) include a summary of the facts that are the basis for the supported finding;
             489          (d) indicate that the supported finding may result in disqualifying the person from:
             490          (i) being licensed, certified, approved, or employed by a government agency;
             491          (ii) being employed by a service provider, person, or other entity that contracts with, or
             492      is licensed by, a government agency; or


             493          (iii) qualifying as a volunteer for an entity described in Subsection (3)(d)(i) or (ii);
             494          (e) indicate that, as a result of the supported finding, the alleged perpetrator's
             495      identifying information is listed in the database;
             496          (f) indicate that the alleged perpetrator may request a copy of the report of the alleged
             497      abuse, neglect, or exploitation; and
             498          (g) inform the alleged perpetrator of:
             499          (i) the right described in Subsection (4)(a); and
             500          (ii) the consequences of failing to exercise the right described in Subsection (4)(a) in a
             501      timely manner.
             502          (4) (a) The alleged perpetrator has the right, within 30 days after the day on which the
             503      notice described in Subsection (1)(a) is served, to challenge the supported finding by filing a
             504      request for an informal adjudicative proceeding, under Title 63, Chapter 46b, Administrative
             505      Procedures Act.
             506          (b) If the alleged perpetrator fails to file a request for an informal adjudicative
             507      proceeding within the time described in Subsection (4)(a), the supported finding will become
             508      final and will not be subject to challenge or appeal.
             509          (5) At the hearing described in Subsection (4)(a), the division has the burden of
             510      proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the alleged perpetrator committed abuse,
             511      neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
             512          (6) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, an alleged perpetrator described in
             513      this section may not challenge a supported finding if a court of competent jurisdiction entered a
             514      finding in a proceeding to which the alleged perpetrator was a party, that the alleged perpetrator
             515      committed the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, upon which the supported
             516      finding is based.
             517          (7) A person who was listed in the database as a perpetrator before May 5, 2008, and
             518      who did not have an opportunity to challenge the division's finding that resulted in the listing,
             519      may at any time:
             520          (a) request that the division reconsider the division's finding; or
             521          (b) request an informal adjudicative proceeding, under Title 63, Chapter 46b,
             522      Administrative Procedures Act, to challenge the finding.
             523          Section 14. Section 62A-3-312 is amended to read:


             524           62A-3-312. Access to information in database.
             525          [The records and information contained in the data base and the adult protection case
             526      file are protected records under Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and
             527      Management Act. However, notwithstanding the provisions of Title 63, Chapter 2,
             528      Government Records Access and Management Act, information and records contained in the
             529      data base and in the adult protection case file are not open to public inspection.]
             530          [Pertinent parts of the data base] The database and the adult protection case file:
             531          (1) shall be made available to law enforcement agencies, the attorney general's office,
             532      and county or district attorney's offices;
             533          (2) shall be released as required under Subsection 63-2-202 (4)(c); and
             534          (3) may be made available, at the discretion of the division, to:
             535          [(1)] (a) subjects of a report as follows:
             536          [(a)] (i) a vulnerable adult named in a report as a victim of abuse, neglect, or
             537      exploitation, or that adult's attorney or legal guardian; and
             538          [(b)] (ii) a person identified in a report as having abused, neglected, or exploited a
             539      vulnerable adult, or that person's attorney; and
             540          [(2)] (b) persons involved in an evaluation or assessment of the vulnerable adult as
             541      follows:
             542          [(a)] (i) an employee or contractor of the department who is responsible for the
             543      evaluation or assessment of an adult protection case file;
             544          [(b)] (ii) a multidisciplinary team approved by the division to assist Adult Protective
             545      Services in the evaluation, assessment, and disposition of a vulnerable adult case;
             546          [(c)] (iii) an authorized person or agency providing services to, or responsible for, the
             547      care, treatment, assessment, or supervision of a vulnerable adult named in the report as a
             548      victim, when in the opinion of the division, that information will assist in the protection of, or
             549      provide other benefits to, the victim;
             550          [(d)] (iv) a licensing authority for a facility, program, or person providing care to a
             551      victim named in a report; and
             552          [(e) the person or entity that reported the abuse, neglect, or exploitation, as considered
             553      necessary on an individual case basis by the division; and]
             554          [(f)] (v) legally authorized protection and advocacy agencies when they represent a


             555      victim or have been requested by the division to assist on a case[.], including:
             556          (A) the Office of Public Guardian, created in Section 62A-14-103 ; and
             557          (B) the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, created in Section 62A-3-203 .
             558          Section 15. Section 62A-3-318 is amended to read:
             559           62A-3-318. Petition by division for protective services -- Notice -- Rights of adult.
             560          (1) If the division determines that a vulnerable adult is in need of protective services
             561      but lacks capacity to consent to protective services, the division may petition the district court
             562      for an order authorizing the division to provide protective services. The petition shall include:
             563          (a) the name, address, and age of the adult who is the subject of the petition;
             564          (b) the reasonably ascertainable names and addresses of the spouse, parents, adult
             565      children, and caretaker of the adult who is the subject of the petition;
             566          (c) the name and address of any court-appointed guardian or conservator for the adult;
             567          (d) specific facts sufficient to show that the subject of the petition is a vulnerable adult
             568      in need of protective services; and
             569          (e) specific facts sufficient to show that the vulnerable adult lacks capacity to consent.
             570          (2) Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall set a date for hearing on the petition.
             571      At least ten days' notice of the petition and the hearing shall be given to the adult who is the
             572      subject of the petition and to each other person identified in Subsection (1)(b) or (c).
             573          (3) The notice shall be in plain language and [large type,] in at least [14] a 14-point
             574      font. The notice shall indicate the time and place of the hearing, the possible adverse
             575      consequences to the adult, and a list of rights as set forth in Subsections (4), (6), and (7). The
             576      petition and notice shall be served personally upon the adult who is the subject of the petition
             577      and upon the adult's spouse, caretaker, and parents if they can be found within the state. Notice
             578      to the spouse, caretaker, and parents, if they cannot be found within the state, and to other
             579      persons shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid.
             580          (4) The adult who is the subject of the petition shall have the right to be present at the
             581      hearing, unless the adult has knowingly and voluntarily waived the right to be present, or
             582      unless a licensed physician has certified that the adult is physically unable to attend. Waiver
             583      shall not be presumed by nonappearance of the adult, but shall be determined by the court on
             584      the basis of evidence provided to the court.
             585          (5) The adult who is the subject of the petition may be examined by a licensed


             586      physician appointed by the court, who shall submit a written report to the court. The adult may
             587      be interviewed by a visitor, as defined in Section 75-5-308 , appointed by the court, who shall
             588      submit a written report to the court. The visitor may also interview knowledgeable persons at
             589      the division and others who have knowledge of the adult who is the subject of the petition.
             590          (6) The adult who is the subject of the petition has the right to be represented by
             591      counsel at all proceedings before the court. Unless the adult has retained counsel, the court
             592      shall appoint counsel. The fees of the adult's counsel shall be paid by the adult who is the
             593      subject of the petition unless the adult is indigent in which case the division will pay the adult's
             594      reasonable [attorneys] attorney fees.
             595          (7) The adult who is the subject of the petition is entitled to present evidence and to
             596      cross-examine witnesses, including any court-appointed physician and visitor. The issues may
             597      be determined at a closed hearing if the adult who is the subject of the petition so requests.
             598          (8) Nothing in this section limits proceedings under Title 75, Utah Uniform Probate
             599      Code.
             600          Section 16. Section 62A-3-320 is amended to read:
             601           62A-3-320. Petition for emergency order -- Protective services -- Temporary
             602      guardian -- Forcible entry.
             603          (1) Upon [petition therefor,] the filing of a petition for an emergency order, the court
             604      may, without notice, order appropriate protective services, if the court finds that:
             605          (a) the subject of the petition is a vulnerable adult[, that];
             606          (b) the adult has no court-appointed guardian or conservator or the guardian or
             607      conservator is not effectively performing the guardian's or conservator's duties[, that];
             608          (c) an emergency exists[,]; and [that]
             609          (d) the welfare, safety, or best interests of the adult require immediate action[, the court
             610      may, without notice, order appropriate protective services].
             611          (2) The order described in Subsection (1) shall specifically designate the protective
             612      services which are [being] approved, together with supporting facts.
             613          [(2)] (3) Protective services authorized in an emergency order may not include
             614      hospitalization, nursing or custodial care, or a change in residence, unless the court specifically
             615      finds that the action is necessary and authorizes the specific protective services in the order.
             616          [(3)] (4) (a) Protective services [shall be] provided through an emergency order [for a


             617      period not to exceed] may not be provided longer than three business days, at which time the
             618      order shall expire unless a petition for guardianship, conservatorship, or other protective
             619      services [has been] is filed.
             620          (b) If a petition for guardianship, conservatorship, or other protective services is filed
             621      within the three-business-day period described in Subsection (4)(a), the emergency order may
             622      be continued for as long as 15 days from the [date] day on which the last petition was filed, to
             623      allow time for a hearing to determine whether the emergency order shall remain in effect.
             624          [(4)] (5) In [its] the emergency order, the court may appoint [the petitioner or another
             625      interested person as] a temporary guardian, in accordance with Section 75-5-310 .
             626          [(5)] (6) To implement an emergency order, the court may authorize forcible entry by a
             627      peace officer into the premises where the protected person is residing, only upon a showing that
             628      voluntary access into the premises is not possible and that forcible entry is required.
             629          Section 17. Section 63-2-202 is amended to read:
             630           63-2-202. Access to private, controlled, and protected documents.
             631          (1) Upon request, and except as provided in Subsection (10)(a), a governmental entity
             632      shall disclose a private record to:
             633          (a) the subject of the record;
             634          (b) the parent or legal guardian of an unemancipated minor who is the subject of the
             635      record;
             636          (c) the legal guardian of a legally incapacitated individual who is the subject of the
             637      record;
             638          (d) any other individual who:
             639          (i) has a power of attorney from the subject of the record;
             640          (ii) submits a notarized release from the subject of the record or his legal representative
             641      dated no more than 90 days before the date the request is made; or
             642          (iii) if the record is a medical record described in Subsection 63-2-302 (1)(b), is a health
             643      care provider, as defined in Section 26-33a-102 , if releasing the record or information in the
             644      record is consistent with normal professional practice and medical ethics; or
             645          (e) any person to whom the record must be provided pursuant to:
             646          (i) court order as provided in Subsection (7); or
             647          (ii) a legislative subpoena as provided in Title 36, Chapter 14, Legislative Subpoena


             648      Powers.
             649          (2) (a) Upon request, a governmental entity shall disclose a controlled record to:
             650          (i) a physician, psychologist, certified social worker, insurance provider or producer, or
             651      a government public health agency upon submission of:
             652          (A) a release from the subject of the record that is dated no more than 90 days prior to
             653      the date the request is made; and
             654          (B) a signed acknowledgment of the terms of disclosure of controlled information as
             655      provided by Subsection (2)(b); and
             656          (ii) any person to whom the record must be disclosed pursuant to:
             657          (A) a court order as provided in Subsection (7); or
             658          (B) a legislative subpoena as provided in Title 36, Chapter 14, Legislative Subpoena
             659      Powers.
             660          (b) A person who receives a record from a governmental entity in accordance with
             661      Subsection (2)(a)(i) may not disclose controlled information from that record to any person,
             662      including the subject of the record.
             663          (3) If there is more than one subject of a private or controlled record, the portion of the
             664      record that pertains to another subject shall be segregated from the portion that the requester is
             665      entitled to inspect.
             666          (4) Upon request, and except as provided in Subsection (10)(b), a governmental entity
             667      shall disclose a protected record to:
             668          (a) the person who submitted the record;
             669          (b) any other individual who:
             670          (i) has a power of attorney from all persons, governmental entities, or political
             671      subdivisions whose interests were sought to be protected by the protected classification; or
             672          (ii) submits a notarized release from all persons, governmental entities, or political
             673      subdivisions whose interests were sought to be protected by the protected classification or from
             674      their legal representatives dated no more than 90 days prior to the date the request is made;
             675          (c) any person to whom the record must be provided pursuant to:
             676          (i) a court order as provided in Subsection (7); or
             677          (ii) a legislative subpoena as provided in Title 36, Chapter 14, Legislative Subpoena
             678      Powers; or


             679          (d) the owner of a mobile home park, subject to the conditions of Subsection
             680      41-1a-116 (5).
             681          (5) A governmental entity may disclose a private, controlled, or protected record to
             682      another governmental entity, political subdivision, another state, the United States, or a foreign
             683      government only as provided by Section 63-2-206 .
             684          (6) Before releasing a private, controlled, or protected record, the governmental entity
             685      shall obtain evidence of the requester's identity.
             686          (7) A governmental entity shall disclose a record pursuant to the terms of a court order
             687      signed by a judge from a court of competent jurisdiction, provided that:
             688          (a) the record deals with a matter in controversy over which the court has jurisdiction;
             689          (b) the court has considered the merits of the request for access to the record; and
             690          (c) the court has considered and, where appropriate, limited the requester's use and
             691      further disclosure of the record in order to protect:
             692          (i) privacy interests in the case of private or controlled records;
             693          (ii) business confidentiality interests in the case of records protected under Subsection
             694      63-2-304 (1), (2), (40)(a)(ii), or (40)(a)(vi); and
             695          (iii) privacy interests or the public interest in the case of other protected records;
             696          (d) to the extent the record is properly classified private, controlled, or protected, the
             697      interests favoring access, considering limitations thereon, outweigh the interests favoring
             698      restriction of access; and
             699          (e) where access is restricted by a rule, statute, or regulation referred to in Subsection
             700      63-2-201 (3)(b), the court has authority independent of this chapter to order disclosure.
             701          (8) (a) A governmental entity may disclose or authorize disclosure of private or
             702      controlled records for research purposes if the governmental entity:
             703          (i) determines that the research purpose cannot reasonably be accomplished without
             704      use or disclosure of the information to the researcher in individually identifiable form;
             705          (ii) determines that:
             706          (A) the proposed research is bona fide; and
             707          (B) the value of the research outweighs the infringement upon personal privacy;
             708          (iii) (A) requires the researcher to assure the integrity, confidentiality, and security of
             709      the records; and


             710          (B) requires the removal or destruction of the individual identifiers associated with the
             711      records as soon as the purpose of the research project has been accomplished;
             712          (iv) prohibits the researcher from:
             713          (A) disclosing the record in individually identifiable form, except as provided in
             714      Subsection (8)(b); or
             715          (B) using the record for purposes other than the research approved by the governmental
             716      entity; and
             717          (v) secures from the researcher a written statement of the researcher's understanding of
             718      and agreement to the conditions of this Subsection (8) and the researcher's understanding that
             719      violation of the terms of this Subsection (8) may subject the researcher to criminal prosecution
             720      under Section 63-2-801 .
             721          (b) A researcher may disclose a record in individually identifiable form if the record is
             722      disclosed for the purpose of auditing or evaluating the research program and no subsequent use
             723      or disclosure of the record in individually identifiable form will be made by the auditor or
             724      evaluator except as provided by this section.
             725          (c) A governmental entity may require indemnification as a condition of permitting
             726      research under this Subsection (8).
             727          (9) (a) Under Subsections 63-2-201 (5)(b) and 63-2-401 (6), a governmental entity may
             728      disclose to persons other than those specified in this section records that are:
             729          (i) private under Section 63-2-302 ; or
             730          (ii) protected under Section 63-2-304 subject to Section 63-2-308 if a claim for
             731      business confidentiality has been made under Section 63-2-308 .
             732          (b) Under Subsection 63-2-403 (11)(b), the records committee may require the
             733      disclosure to persons other than those specified in this section of records that are:
             734          (i) private under Section 63-2-302 ;
             735          (ii) controlled under Section 63-2-303 ; or
             736          (iii) protected under Section 63-2-304 subject to Section 63-2-308 if a claim for
             737      business confidentiality has been made under Section 63-2-308 .
             738          (c) Under Subsection 63-2-404 (8), the court may require the disclosure of records that
             739      are private under Section 63-2-302 , controlled under Section 63-2-303 , or protected under
             740      Section 63-2-304 to persons other than those specified in this section.


             741          (10) (a) A private record described in Subsection 63-2-302 (2)(f) may only be disclosed
             742      as provided in Subsection (1)(e).
             743          (b) A protected record described in Subsection 63-2-304 (43) may only be disclosed as
             744      provided in Subsection (4)(c) or Section 62A-3-312 .
             745          Section 18. Section 63-2-302 is amended to read:
             746           63-2-302. Private records.
             747          (1) The following records are private:
             748          (a) records concerning an individual's eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits,
             749      social services, welfare benefits, or the determination of benefit levels;
             750          (b) records containing data on individuals describing medical history, diagnosis,
             751      condition, treatment, evaluation, or similar medical data;
             752          (c) records of publicly funded libraries that when examined alone or with other records
             753      identify a patron;
             754          (d) records received or generated for a Senate or House Ethics Committee concerning
             755      any alleged violation of the rules on legislative ethics, prior to the meeting, and after the
             756      meeting, if the ethics committee meeting was closed to the public;
             757          (e) records received or generated for a Senate confirmation committee concerning
             758      character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual:
             759          (i) if prior to the meeting, the chair of the committee determines release of the records:
             760          (A) reasonably could be expected to interfere with the investigation undertaken by the
             761      committee; or
             762          (B) would create a danger of depriving a person of a right to a fair proceeding or
             763      impartial hearing; and
             764          (ii) after the meeting, if the meeting was closed to the public;
             765          (f) employment records concerning a current or former employee of, or applicant for
             766      employment with, a governmental entity that would disclose that individual's home address,
             767      home telephone number, Social Security number, insurance coverage, marital status, or payroll
             768      deductions;
             769          (g) records or parts of records under Section 63-2-302.5 that a current or former
             770      employee identifies as private according to the requirements of that section;
             771          (h) that part of a record indicating a person's Social Security number or federal


             772      employer identification number if provided under Section 31A-23a-104 , 31A-25-202 ,
             773      31A-26-202 , 58-1-301 , 61-1-4 , or 61-2-6 ;
             774          (i) that part of a voter registration record identifying a voter's driver license or
             775      identification card number, Social Security number, or last four digits of the Social Security
             776      number;
             777          (j) a record that:
             778          (i) contains information about an individual;
             779          (ii) is voluntarily provided by the individual; and
             780          (iii) goes into an electronic database that:
             781          (A) is designated by and administered under the authority of the Chief Information
             782      Officer; and
             783          (B) acts as a repository of information about the individual that can be electronically
             784      retrieved and used to facilitate the individual's online interaction with a state agency;
             785          (k) information provided to the Commissioner of Insurance under:
             786          (i) Subsection 31A-23a-115 (2)(a); or
             787          (ii) Subsection 31A-23a-302 (3); and
             788          (l) information obtained through a criminal background check under Title 11, Chapter
             789      40, Criminal Background Checks by Political Subdivisions Operating Water Systems.
             790          (2) The following records are private if properly classified by a governmental entity:
             791          (a) records concerning a current or former employee of, or applicant for employment
             792      with a governmental entity, including performance evaluations and personal status information
             793      such as race, religion, or disabilities, but not including records that are public under Subsection
             794      63-2-301 (2)(b) or 63-2-301 (3)(o), or private under Subsection (1)(b);
             795          (b) records describing an individual's finances, except that the following are public:
             796          (i) records described in Subsection 63-2-301 (2);
             797          (ii) information provided to the governmental entity for the purpose of complying with
             798      a financial assurance requirement; or
             799          (iii) records that must be disclosed in accordance with another statute;
             800          (c) records of independent state agencies if the disclosure of those records would
             801      conflict with the fiduciary obligations of the agency;
             802          (d) other records containing data on individuals the disclosure of which constitutes a


             803      clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; [and]
             804          (e) records provided by the United States or by a government entity outside the state
             805      that are given with the requirement that the records be managed as private records, if the
             806      providing entity states in writing that the record would not be subject to public disclosure if
             807      retained by it[.]; and
             808          (f) any portion of a record in the custody of the Division of Aging and Adult Services,
             809      created in Section 62A-3-102 , that may disclose, or lead to the discovery of, the identity of a
             810      person who made a report of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
             811          (3) (a) As used in this Subsection (3), "medical records" means medical reports,
             812      records, statements, history, diagnosis, condition, treatment, and evaluation.
             813          (b) Medical records in the possession of the University of Utah Hospital, its clinics,
             814      doctors, or affiliated entities are not private records or controlled records under Section
             815      63-2-303 when the records are sought:
             816          (i) in connection with any legal or administrative proceeding in which the patient's
             817      physical, mental, or emotional condition is an element of any claim or defense; or
             818          (ii) after a patient's death, in any legal or administrative proceeding in which any party
             819      relies upon the condition as an element of the claim or defense.
             820          (c) Medical records are subject to production in a legal or administrative proceeding
             821      according to state or federal statutes or rules of procedure and evidence as if the medical
             822      records were in the possession of a nongovernmental medical care provider.
             823          Section 19. Repealer.
             824          This bill repeals:
             825          Section 62A-3-306, Anonymity of reporter.
             826          Section 62A-3-313, Penalty for unauthorized release of information.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-7-08 3:42 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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