The duty to report under this subsection applies to individuals who must report directly to the department.__A supervisor or administrator of a person making a report under this section may not impede or inhibit the reporting, and a person making a report may not be subject to any sanction for making a report.__Internal procedures to facilitate, ensure confidentiality of and apprise supervisors and administrators of reports may be established as long as those procedures are not inconsistent with this chapter.

Sec. 9. 22 MRSA §3477, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 705, Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:

2. Reports. Reports regarding abuse, neglect or exploitation shall must be made immediately by telephone to the department and shall must be followed by a written report within 48 hours if requested by the department. The reports shall must contain the name and address of the involved adult; information regarding the nature and extent of the abuse, neglect or exploitation; the source of the report; the person making the report; his that person's occupation; and where he that person can be contacted. The report may contain any other information which that the reporter believes may be helpful.

Sec. 10. 22 MRSA §3479, as repealed and replaced by PL 1989, c. 858, §12, is amended to read:

§3479. Optional reporting

Any person may make a report if to the department when that person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect an incapacitated or dependent adult has been or is at substantial risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation of an incapacitated or dependent adult, or has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult is incapacitated.

Sec. 11. 22 MRSA §3479-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 705, Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:

1. Reporting and proceedings. A person participating in good faith in reporting under this subchapter, or in a related adult protection investigation or proceeding, is immune from any civil liability that might otherwise result from these actions, including, but not limited to, any civil liability that might otherwise arise under state or local laws or rules regarding confidentiality of information.