Vulnerable Adult Maltreatment Registry Act

A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA BY ENACTING THE "VULNERABLE ADULT MALTREATMENT REGISTRY ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 6 TO CHAPTER 35, TITLE 43 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, OR ITS SUCCESSOR AGENCY, TO DETERMINE WHETHER CERTAIN REPORTS OF VULNERABLE ADULT ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR EXPLOITATION ARE INDICATED AND WHETHER THERE IS A KNOWN PERPETRATOR OF THE MALTREATMENT AND TO ESTABLISH A RIGHT OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL AND JUDICIAL REVIEW; TO PROVIDE FOR THE PLACEMENT OF CERTAIN PERSONS DETERMINED TO HAVE ABUSED, NEGLECTED, OR EXPLOITED A VULNERABLE ADULT ON THE MALTREATMENT REGISTRY; TO PROVIDE FOR LIMITED ACCESS TO THE VULNERABLE ADULT MALTREATMENT REGISTRY; AND TO PROHIBIT THE RELEASE OF REPORTS OF VULNERABLE ADULT MALTREATMENT, WITH EXCEPTIONS, AND TO CREATE A CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR THE UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE OF INFORMATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 43-35-10, RELATING TO TERMS DEFINED IN THE "OMNIBUS ADULT PROTECTION ACT", SO AS TO ADD DEFINITIONAL TERMS AND CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF "INVESTIGATIVE ENTITY"; AND BY AMENDING SECTIONS 43-35-15 AND 43-35-40, RELATING TO RESPONSIBILITIES OF CERTAIN INVESTIGATIVE ENTITIES TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF VULNERABLE ADULT MALTREATMENT, SECTION 43-35-45, RELATING TO VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION HEARINGS, AND SECTION 43-35-85, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR COMMITTING VULNERABLE ADULT MALTREATMENT, ALL SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.