(a) The Department of Human Services shall maintain minimum guidelines for use in determining when an investigation of abuse is warranted.
(b) The Virgin Islands Police Department shall develop uniform guidelines for local law enforcement assistance with investigations of allegations of abuse to older and dependent adults. Once developed, the guidelines must remain in effect until modified. Consistent with these guidelines, adult protective services agencies may seek local law enforcement assistance with investigations of allegations of abuse to older or dependent adult.
(c) An interagency task force must be formed to include the following agencies: Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Virgin Islands Police Department, Department of Justice and the Territories Hospitals in such district and other core agencies as deemed necessary.
(d) After conducting a substantiated investigation indicating that an older or dependent adult is in imminent danger due to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or severe mental health concerns, the Department of Human Services shall immediately request assistance from the Department of Justice regarding potential legal matters. The Department of Human Services shall develop internal emergency response protocols that include:(1) Standardized risk assessment tools to identify imminent threats to health or safety;(2) Procedures for prioritizing and documenting cases requiring urgent legal intervention;(3) Coordination mechanisms with local law enforcement and medical providers for emergency support;(4) Defined timelines for protective order filings following confirmation of imminent danger. The Department of Human Services may request the assistance of any law enforcement officer to enforce or carry out any such court order.
(1) Standardized risk assessment tools to identify imminent threats to health or safety;
(2) Procedures for prioritizing and documenting cases requiring urgent legal intervention;
(3) Coordination mechanisms with local law enforcement and medical providers for emergency support;
(4) Defined timelines for protective order filings following confirmation of imminent danger. The Department of Human Services may request the assistance of any law enforcement officer to enforce or carry out any such court order.
(e) The Department of Human Services shall establish an Older Adult Anti Abuse Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to strengthen interagency coordination and improve prevention and response strategies related to older and dependent adult abuse. The MDT must:(1) Be composed of representatives from the Department of Human Services, the Department of Justice, law enforcement agencies, certified medical professionals, older advocacy organizations; and Disability Rights Advocacy Organizations;(2) Meet at least quarterly, or more frequently as determined necessary by the Department of Human Services, to review trends, evaluate high-risk cases, develop protocols, and improve service coordination;(3) Designate a chairperson from within its membership and adopt internal procedures for convening, decision-making, and recordkeeping;(4) Submit an annual public report to the Legislature no later than January 31 of each year, summarizing team activities, data on abuse reports, system gaps, and policy recommendations;(5) Maintain confidentiality of sensitive case information and comply with all applicable federal and territorial privacy laws.
(1) Be composed of representatives from the Department of Human Services, the Department of Justice, law enforcement agencies, certified medical professionals, older advocacy organizations; and Disability Rights Advocacy Organizations;
(2) Meet at least quarterly, or more frequently as determined necessary by the Department of Human Services, to review trends, evaluate high-risk cases, develop protocols, and improve service coordination;
(3) Designate a chairperson from within its membership and adopt internal procedures for convening, decision-making, and recordkeeping;
(4) Submit an annual public report to the Legislature no later than January 31 of each year, summarizing team activities, data on abuse reports, system gaps, and policy recommendations;
(5) Maintain confidentiality of sensitive case information and comply with all applicable federal and territorial privacy laws.