South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 35 - Adult Protection
Section 43-35-520. Investigations of deaths in facilities operated by the Department of Mental Health or the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs; death by natural causes in a veterans' nursing home.

The Vulnerable Adults Investigations Unit of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, created pursuant to Section 23-3-810, shall, in addition to its investigation responsibilities under that section or Article 1, investigate cases of vulnerable adult fatalities in facilities operated or contracted for operation by the Department of Mental Health or the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. Provided, that in a nursing home, as defined in Section 44-7-130, contracted for operation by the Department of Mental Health, the Vulnerable Adults Investigations Unit shall investigate those fatalities for which there is suspicion that the vulnerable adult died as a result of abuse or neglect, the death is suspicious in nature, or the death is referred by a coroner or medical examiner as provided in Section 43-35-35(A). In the event that a coroner rules that the death of an individual in a veterans' nursing home under the authority of the Department of Mental Health results from natural causes, the State Law Enforcement Division is not required to conduct an investigation regarding the individual's death.
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 301, Section 9, eff May 23, 2006; 2010 Act No. 223, Section 8, eff June 7, 2010; 2012 Act No. 128, Section 2, eff March 13, 2012.

Structure South Carolina Code of Laws

South Carolina Code of Laws

Title 43 - Social Services

Chapter 35 - Adult Protection

Section 43-35-5. Short title.

Section 43-35-10. Definitions.

Section 43-35-13. Nonmedical remedial treatment by spiritual means is not abuse or neglect of vulnerable adult.

Section 43-35-15. Vulnerable Adults Investigations Unit; Long Term Care Ombudsman Program; Adult Protective Services Program; responsibilities; referral of reports.

Section 43-35-20. Additional powers of investigative entities.

Section 43-35-25. Persons required to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adult; reporting methods.

Section 43-35-30. Photographing of visible trauma on abused adult.

Section 43-35-35. Reporting deaths where abuse or neglect suspected.

Section 43-35-40. Responsibilities when a report is received; initiation of investigation; reports to local law enforcement or Vulnerable Adults Investigations Unit.

Section 43-35-45. Warrant from family court to permit investigation of report; order for protective services; appointment of guardian and attorney; evaluation; hearing; review; semiannual reevaluation; payment for services.

Section 43-35-50. Abrogation of privilege for certain communications.

Section 43-35-55. Protective custody by law enforcement officer; procedure; notification of protective services program; subsequent proceedings.

Section 43-35-60. Sharing of report information by investigative entities; public confidentiality.

Section 43-35-65. Notices to be displayed at facilities.

Section 43-35-70. Reports to occupational licensing boards.

Section 43-35-75. Immunity of person making report or participating in investigation in good faith.

Section 43-35-80. Action by Attorney General against person or facility for failure to exercise reasonable care; fine.

Section 43-35-85. Penalties.

Section 43-35-87. Financial exploitation; financial institution authority to decline transaction requests.

Section 43-35-90. Article not to affect authority of agencies.

Section 43-35-200. Vulnerable Adult Guardian ad Litem Program.

Section 43-35-210. Definitions.

Section 43-35-220. Duties and responsibilities of guardian ad litem; assessments.

Section 43-35-230. Appointment of guardian ad litem; continuing legal education.

Section 43-35-240. Appointment of guardian ad litem for abuse, neglect, or exploitation proceedings; criminal background checks.

Section 43-35-250. Charge of guardian ad litem; petition for removal.

Section 43-35-260. Access to information.

Section 43-35-270. Confidentiality of reports and information.

Section 43-35-280. Civil liability.

Section 43-35-290. Funding.

Section 43-35-310. Council created; membership; filling vacancies.

Section 43-35-320. Responsibilities of council.

Section 43-35-330. Duties of council.

Section 43-35-340. Officers; terms of office; quorum.

Section 43-35-350. Meetings.

Section 43-35-500. Definitions.

Section 43-35-510. Policy of State regarding health and safety of vulnerable adults.

Section 43-35-520. Investigations of deaths in facilities operated by the Department of Mental Health or the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs; death by natural causes in a veterans' nursing home.

Section 43-35-530. Conduct of investigations.

Section 43-35-540. Access to medical information.

Section 43-35-550. Subpoena of medical information.

Section 43-35-560. Vulnerable Adults Fatalities Review Committee; members; terms; meetings; administrative support.

Section 43-35-570. Purpose of Vulnerable Adult Fatalities Review Committee.

Section 43-35-580. Meetings discussing individual cases closed; disclosure of information identifying vulnerable adult or family member.

Section 43-35-590. Confidential and public information.

Section 43-35-595. Promulgation of regulations.