CLEE Mandated Reporting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA), which professionals are mandated reporters for elder abuse in California?
- Only physicians and hospital staff
- Licensed mental health professionals, care custodians, and other specified persons (Correct answer)
- Only Adult Protective Services workers
- All California adults over age 18
Correct answer: Licensed mental health professionals, care custodians, and other specified persons
California Welfare and Institutions Code §15630 designates mental health professionals and other specified custodians as mandated reporters for elder and dependent adult abuse.
Question 2: Which of the following is a reportable form of elder abuse under California law?
- Disagreements between family members about elder care decisions
- Financial abuse, including theft or misuse of an elder's funds (Correct answer)
- An elder declining recommended medical treatment
- Natural cognitive decline associated with aging
Correct answer: Financial abuse, including theft or misuse of an elder's funds
Financial abuse — including theft, fraud, or misuse of an elder's property or funds — is explicitly reportable under EADACPA.
Question 3: When reporting elder abuse in California, the initial report must be made to:
- The California Medical Board
- Adult Protective Services or local law enforcement (Correct answer)
- The patient's primary care physician
- The nearest hospital emergency room
Correct answer: Adult Protective Services or local law enforcement
Reports of elder or dependent adult abuse must be made to Adult Protective Services (APS) or, in facilities, the appropriate licensing agency and law enforcement.
Question 4: What is the standard of proof required for a mandated reporter to file an elder abuse report?
- Beyond a reasonable doubt
- Clear and convincing evidence
- Reasonable suspicion (Correct answer)
- Preponderance of the evidence
Correct answer: Reasonable suspicion
Like child abuse, the standard for reporting elder abuse is reasonable suspicion — certainty is not required before making a report.
Question 5: A therapist has a patient who is a 'dependent adult' under California law. This means the patient:
- Is financially dependent on their therapist
- Is between ages 18–64 with a physical or mental limitation that restricts their activities (Correct answer)
- Has a substance use disorder
- Is under a court-ordered conservatorship
Correct answer: Is between ages 18–64 with a physical or mental limitation that restricts their activities
California Welfare and Institutions Code §15610.23 defines a dependent adult as a person aged 18–64 whose physical or mental limitation restricts their ability to carry out normal activities.
Question 6: Mandated reporters of elder abuse in California who report in good faith are protected by:
- No legal protection exists for reporters
- Immunity from civil and criminal liability (Correct answer)
- Confidentiality agreements with the receiving agency
- Protection only if the report is substantiated
Correct answer: Immunity from civil and criminal liability
California Welfare and Institutions Code §15634 grants good-faith reporters immunity from civil and criminal liability, regardless of whether the report is substantiated.
CLEE Mandated Reporting 2
Under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA), which professionals are mandated reporters for elder abuse in California?