                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ESTABLISHMENT OF ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNIT; POWERS AND DUTIES (§ 51.5-148)

A. The Department shall have responsibility for the planning and oversight of
adult protective services in the Commonwealth. The Commissioner shall establish
within the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services an Adult Protective
Services Unit which shall oversee the planning, administration, and
implementation of adult protective services in the Commonwealth. Adult
protective services shall be provided to the public by local departments of
social services pursuant to Chapter 16 (&#xA7; 63.2-1600 et seq.) of Title 63.2
in cooperation with the Department and subject to the regulations and oversight
of the Commissioner.

B. The Adult Protective Services Unit shall have the following powers and
duties:

   1. To work together with local departments of social services to support,
   strengthen, and evaluate adult protective services programs provided by such
   local departments;

   2. To assist local departments of social services in developing and
   implementing programs to respond to and prevent adult abuse, neglect, or
   exploitation;

   3. To prepare, disseminate, and present educational programs and materials on
   adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation to mandated reporters and the public;

   4. To establish minimum standards of training and provide educational
   opportunities to qualify workers in the field of adult protective services to
   determine whether reports of adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation are
   substantiated. The Department shall establish and provide a uniform training
   program for adult protective services workers in the Commonwealth. All adult
   protective services workers shall complete such training within one year from
   the date of implementation of the training program or within the first year of
   their employment;

   5. To develop policies and procedures to guide the work of persons in the
   field of adult protective services;

   6. To prepare and disseminate statistical information on adult protective
   services in Virginia;

   7. To operate an adult protective services 24-hour toll-free hotline and
   provide training and technical assistance to the hotline staff;

   8. To provide coordination among the adult protective services program and
   other state agencies; and

   9. To work collaboratively with other agencies in the Commonwealth to
   facilitate the reporting and investigation of suspected adult abuse, neglect,
   or exploitation.

HISTORY: 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2014, c. 285.