AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
2008 BH "Dear Administrator" Letters
June 16, 2008
ADSA: BH #2008-010
CLARIFICATION: RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANDATED REPORTERS
Dear Boarding Home Administrator:
Staff and providers licensed and certified by Residential Care Services are defined and required by Chapter 74.34 RCW to immediately report to the department when there is reasonable cause to believe that abandonment, abuse, which includes sexual assault and physical assault, financial exploitation, or neglect of a vulnerable adult has occurred. Your requirements to report to the department have not changed.
Additionally, you are required to report to the appropriate law enforcement agency when there is reason to suspect that sexual assault or specific instances of suspecting that physical assault has occurred.
Under 68.50.020 and 68.50.010 RCW, it is the duty of every person who knows of the existence and location of a deceased person to report to the coroner when the person dies suddenly while in apparent good health and without medical assistance or where the circumstances indicate the death is caused by unnatural or unlawful means, or where death occurs under suspicious circumstances.
The enclosed brochure is intended to assist you in understanding these multiple requirements of reporting, including those to the appropriate law enforcement agency and coroner as required by law.
The Complaint Resolution Unit Hotline number is 1-800-562-6078. As a reminder, facility reporters must select Option 2 from the hotline menu when making their mandatory report(s). The hotline script and tips for using the hotline, as well as the brochure, can be accessed online at http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/bh.htm.
Please contact your RCS Field Manager if you have further questions.
Sincerely,
Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services
