Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 52. FAMILY SERVICES

CHAPTER 3. ADULT SERVICES

Part 8. Montana Vulnerable AdultPrevention of Abuse Act

Evidence Of Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Neglect, Or Exploitation To Be Gathered And Submitted

52-3-815. Evidence of abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation to be gathered and submitted. (1) A person or agency receiving a report of suspected abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation under 52-3-811 shall prepare a written description of the conditions regarded as evidence of abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation and may, with the consent of an allegedly abused, sexually abused, neglected, or exploited vulnerable adult or without consent of the vulnerable adult if it appears that the vulnerable adult is an incapacitated person, take or cause to be taken photographs of an area of trauma visible on the body of the allegedly abused, sexually abused, neglected, or exploited vulnerable adult and regarded as evidence of abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

(2) A physician required to report under 52-3-811 may, with the consent of an allegedly abused, sexually abused, neglected, or exploited vulnerable adult or without consent of the vulnerable adult if it appears that the person is an incapacitated person, require x-rays or other appropriate medical tests or procedures that would, in the professional opinion of the physician, assist in establishing evidence related to the allegation of abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

(3) Evidence authorized to be gathered under this section must be submitted with the report required under 52-3-811 to the authorities designated in 52-3-811 as soon as possible after submission of the report.

History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 716, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 167, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 465, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 196, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 12, L. 2023.