The adult protection agency may make rules, coordinate with other agencies, train staff, and plan services; it must also provide adult protective services and submit an annual funding request, and it cannot spend funds until the budget is approved.
§1510. Implementation A. The adult protection agency may adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Chapter. Specifically, such rules shall provide for cooperation with local agencies, including but not limited to hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, and cooperation with other states. The adult protection agency shall also be responsible for ongoing inservice training for its staff which assures adequate performance. B. The adult protection agencies may enter into cooperative agreements with other state agencies or contractual agreements with private agencies to carry out the purposes of this Chapter. The immunity granted to the staff of the adult protection agencies shall extend to the staff of those agencies carrying out the provisions of this Chapter through cooperative or contractual agreement. C. The adult protection agencies shall implement adult protective services for persons who are aged and adults with disabilities in accordance with an agency plan and shall submit an annual funding request in accordance with its plan. No funds shall be expended to implement the plan until the budget is approved by the commissioner of administration and by the legislature in the annual state appropriations act. D. When the adult protection agency's staff is not sufficient to respond promptly to all reported cases, the adult protection agency shall set priorities for case response and allocate staff resources to cases in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated in accordance with Subsection A of this Section. Absent evidence of willful or intentional misconduct or gross negligence in carrying out the investigative functions of the adult protective services program, caseworkers, supervisors, program managers, and agency heads shall be immune from civil or criminal liability in any legal action arising from any decision by the adult protection agency relative to the setting of priorities for cases and targeting of staff resources. Acts 2008, No. 181, §2, eff. June 13, 2008; Acts 2014, No. 811, §7, eff. June 23, 2014.