NMSA 1978, § 27-7-14 Short title
27-7-14. Short title
Sections 27-7-14 through 27-7-31 NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Adult Protective Services Act".
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 1; 1990, ch. 79, § 1.
Adult Protective Services
NMSA 1978 ch. 27, art. 7
in effectNMSA 1978, § 27-7-15 Legislative findings; purpose
27-7-15. Legislative findings; purpose
A. The legislature recognizes that many adults in the state are unable to manage their own affairs or protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation. The legislature further recognizes that the state should protect adults by providing for the detection, correction and elimination of abuse, neglect or exploitation through a program of short-term services for adults in need of protective services or protective placement.
B. It is the purpose of the Adult Protective Services Act to establish a system of protective services and protective placement and to ensure the availability of those services or placement to all adults in need of them. It is also the purpose of the Adult Protective Services Act to authorize only the least possible restriction on the exercise of personal and civil rights and religious beliefs consistent with the adult's need for protective services or protective placement and to require that due process be followed in imposing those restrictions.
C. Nothing in the Adult Protective Services Act shall be construed to mean an adult, including an incapacitated adult or a protected adult, is abused, neglected, or exploited if the adult relies upon or is being furnished with spiritual treatment through prayer alone in accordance with the express or implied intent of the adult; nor shall anything in that act be construed to authorize or require any medical care or treatment in contravention of the express or implied wish of that adult.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 2; 1997, ch. 132, § 1; 2007, ch. 91, § 1.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-16 Definitions
27-7-16. Definitions
As used in the Adult Protective Services Act:
A. "ability to consent" means an adult's ability to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of proposed protective services or protective placement, including benefits, risks and alternatives to the proposed services or placement and to make or communicate an informed decision;
B. "abuse" means:
(1) knowingly, intentionally or negligently and without justifiable cause inflicting physical pain, injury or mental anguish;
(2) the intentional deprivation by a caretaker or other person of services necessary to maintain the mental and physical health of an adult; or
(3) sexual abuse, including criminal sexual contact, incest and criminal sexual penetration;
C. "adult" means a person eighteen years of age or older;
D. "caretaker" means a facility, provider or individual that has assumed the responsibility for the care of an adult;
E. "conservator" means a person who is appointed by a court to manage the property or financial affairs, or both, of an incapacitated adult;
F. "court" means the district court having jurisdiction;
G. "department" means the aging and long-term services department;
H. "emergency" means that an adult is living in conditions that present a substantial risk of death or immediate and serious physical harm to the adult or others;
I. "exploitation" means an unjust or improper use of an adult's money or property for another person's profit or advantage, pecuniary or otherwise;
J. "facility" means a hospital, nursing home, residential care facility, group home, foster care home, assisted living facility or other facility licensed by the state, but does not include a jail, prison or detention facility;
K. "guardian" means a person who has qualified to provide for the care, custody or control of an incapacitated adult pursuant to testamentary or court appointment, but excludes one who is a guardian ad litem;
L. "incapacitated adult" means any adult with a mental, physical or developmental condition that substantially impairs the adult's ability to provide adequately for the adult's own care or protection;
M. "multidisciplinary team" means a team composed of diverse professionals who meet periodically to consult on or enhance appropriate community responses to abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults;
N. "neglect" means the failure of the caretaker of an adult to provide for the basic needs of the adult, such as clothing, food, shelter, supervision and care for the physical and mental health of that adult; "neglect" includes self-neglect;
O. "protected adult" means an adult for whom a guardian or conservator has been appointed or other protective order has been made or an abused, neglected or exploited adult who has consented to protective services or protective placement;
P. "protective placement" means the placement of an adult with a provider or in a facility or the transfer of an adult from one provider or facility to another;
Q. "protective services" means the services furnished by the department or its delegate, as described in Section 27-7-21 NMSA 1978;
R. "provider" means a private-residence or health care worker or an unlicensed residential or nonresidential entity that provides personal, custodial or health care;
S. "self-neglect" means an act or omission by an incapacitated adult that results in the deprivation of essential services or supports necessary to maintain the incapacitated adult's minimal mental, emotional or physical health and safety;
T. "substantiated" means a determination, based on a preponderance of collected and assessed credible information, that abuse, neglect or exploitation of an incapacitated or protected adult has occurred; and
U. "surrogate" means a person legally authorized to act on an adult's behalf.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 3; 1990, ch. 79, § 2; 1997, ch. 132, § 2; 2007, ch. 91, § 2.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-17 Adult protective services system
27-7-17. Adult protective services system
A. Subject to the availability of funds, the department shall develop a coordinated system of protective services or protective placement for incapacitated or protected adults who have been abused, neglected or exploited. In planning this system, the department shall obtain the advice of agencies, corporations, boards and associations involved in the provision of social, health, legal, nutritional and other services to adults, as well as of organizations of adults.
B. The department shall ensure that the adult protective services system for incapacitated or protected adults who have been abused, neglected or exploited includes:
(1) a process for the collection and analysis of data relating to adult protective services or protective placement and for the provision of an annual findings and recommendations report to the governor and the appropriate interim committee;
(2) the establishment and use of multidisciplinary teams to develop treatment strategies, ensure maximum coordination with existing community resources and provide comprehensive assessment and case consultation on difficult or complex cases, provided that the adults' privacy and confidentiality rights in such cases are protected;
(3) coordination among the various state or local agencies that serve incapacitated or protected adults; and
(4) an emphasis on the need for prevention of abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults.
C. Upon establishment of the adult protective services system, the department shall be responsible for continuing coordination and supervision of the system. In carrying out these duties, the department shall:
(1) adopt rules necessary to implement and operate the system;
(2) monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the system; and
(3) use to the extent available grants from federal, state and other public and private sources to support the system.
D. The department shall administer a public information program regarding the problem of abuse, neglect and exploitation of adults; reporting and prevention of adult abuse, neglect or exploitation; and the availability of treatment and protective services or protective placement for those adults.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 4; 1997, ch. 132, § 3; 2007, ch. 91, § 3.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-19 Department; duties; penalty
27-7-19. Department; duties; penalty
A. The department shall:
(1) develop, maintain and update as needed a process to receive a report or referral of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult;
(2) assess an adult and the adult's situation to determine what immediate protective services or protective placement may be required;
(3) conduct an investigation to determine if the report or referral of abuse, neglect or exploitation is substantiated;
(4) document evidence, observations and other information obtained in the course of an investigation;
(5) develop a plan to provide an adult with or refer an adult for protective services, protective placement or other intervention services, unless the department determines that the adult is knowingly and voluntarily refusing services; and
(6) ensure that the protective services or protective placement provided by or through the department is short term and has a termination date; provided that appropriate arrangements have been made for follow-up care if needed, including any long-term services for which the adult may qualify.
B. Upon request, the department, in accordance with federal or state laws that protect an adult's right to privacy and confidentiality, shall have immediate access to and may reproduce any record, including medical, personal, psychological and financial records, of the adult that the department determines is necessary to pursue an investigation mandated by this section or by the Resident Abuse and Neglect Act [30-47-1 NMSA 1978] if:
(1) the adult has the ability to consent and has given written consent;
(2) the adult is unable to consent in writing, and gives oral consent in the presence of a third party as a witness;
(3) the adult has a guardian, conservator or surrogate with the authority to approve review of the records and the department obtains the permission of the guardian, conservator or surrogate for review of the record;
(4) the adult is unable to give consent and:
(a) has no guardian, conservator or surrogate;
(b) the department is unaware of and has no reasonable grounds for believing that there is a guardian, conservator or surrogate; or
(c) the department is unable to contact the guardian, conservator or surrogate within three working days of the initiation of the investigation; or
(5) the department obtains from the district court an order granting access upon a showing that:
(a) consent is being withheld due to coercion, extortion or justifiable fear of future abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment of the adult; or
(b) there is reasonable cause to believe that the adult has been or is being abused, neglected or exploited and that after notice by the department of the alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation, the guardian, conservator or surrogate has refused to give consent.
C. Upon request by the department, the provider or a facility in which an adult is or has been residing shall provide to the department the name, address and telephone number of the guardian, conservator, surrogate, attorney-in-fact, legal representative or next of kin of the adult.
D. The department shall have immediate access to an adult, whether in a facility or provider setting, who is alleged to be abused, neglected or exploited to determine the accuracy of the report and the necessity of protective services or protective placement, to evaluate the adult's needs and develop a service plan to meet those needs and to provide for the services or placement by or through the department. If the department is denied access to the adult alleged to be abused, neglected or exploited, the department may gain access upon petition to the court for an order requiring appropriate access if the department can demonstrate that a facility, provider or individual has interfered with the department's attempts to access the adult under investigation.
E. Anyone willfully interfering with an investigation of adult abuse, neglect or exploitation, pursuant to this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Interference under this section shall not include efforts by a facility, provider or individual to establish whether there is reasonable cause to believe that there is adult abuse, neglect or exploitation, provided that the department is notified as soon as reasonable cause is established, whether or not the internal investigation has been concluded.
F. The department may assess a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation against a facility, provider or individual who violates the provisions of Subsection B, C or D of this section. The department may assess and collect the penalty, after notice and an opportunity for hearing before a hearing officer designated by the department to hear the matter, upon a determination that a facility, provider or individual willfully interfered with the department or discriminated, disciplined or retaliated against a person who communicated or disclosed information to the department in good faith pursuant to this section. The hearing officer has the power to administer oaths on request of any party and issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum. Additionally, if the violation is against a person covered by the Personnel Act [10-9-1 NMSA 1978], the department shall refer the matter to the agency employing the person for disciplinary action. Any party may appeal a final decision by the department to the court pursuant to the provisions of Section 39-3-1.1 NMSA 1978.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 6; 1997, ch. 132, § 5; 2007, ch. 91, § 4.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-21 Nature of protective services; costs
27-7-21. Nature of protective services; costs
A. Protective services are short-term services furnished by the department or under arrangement through the department to an incapacitated or protected adult who has been abused, neglected or exploited and with the adult's consent or appropriate legal authority.
B. The protective services furnished in a protective services system may include social, psychiatric, health, legal and other services provided on a short-term basis that, if appropriate, transition to other ongoing or long-term services outside the protective services system and that detect, correct or eliminate abuse, neglect or exploitation consistent with the Adult Protective Services Act. The adult protective services system established by the department may include outreach, public information and education, prevention programs, referral for health or legal services and other activities consistent with the Adult Protective Services Act.
C. The costs of providing protective services shall be borne by the department or other appropriate agency, unless the adult agrees to pay for them or a court authorizes the provider or the department or other agency to receive reasonable reimbursement from the adult's assets after a finding that the adult is financially able to make payment. As appropriate and as permitted by law, the department may bill the adult or a third party to receive reasonable reimbursement for protective services rendered.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 8; 1990, ch. 79, § 4; 1997, ch. 132, § 7; 2007, ch. 91, § 5.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-23 Voluntary protective services; protective placement; penalty
27-7-23. Voluntary protective services; protective placement; penalty
A. Any adult who has been abused, neglected or exploited and is in need of protective services or protective placement as determined by the department and who consents to those services or placement shall receive them. If the adult withdraws or refuses consent, voluntary protective services or protective placement shall not be provided. No legal rights are relinquished as a result of acceptance of voluntary protective services or protective placement.
B. A person who interferes with the provision of protective services or protective placement to an adult who consents to receive those services or placement is guilty of a misdemeanor. In the event that interference occurs, the department may petition the court to enjoin that interference, may impose a civil penalty or, at the department's discretion, may request criminal prosecution.
C. The department may assess a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation against a person that violates the provisions of Subsection B of this section. The department may assess and collect the penalty after notice and an opportunity for hearing, before a hearing officer designated by the department to hear the matter, upon a determination that a person willfully interfered with the department pursuant to this subsection. The hearing officer has the power to administer oaths on request of any party and issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum. Additionally, if the violation is against a person covered by the Personnel Act [10-9-1 NMSA 1978], the department shall refer the matter to the agency employing the person for disciplinary action. Any party may appeal a final decision by the department to the court pursuant to the provisions of Section 39-3-1.1 NMSA 1978.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 10; 1997, ch. 132, § 8; 2007, ch. 91, § 6.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-24 Involuntary protective services and protective placement; penalty
27-7-24. Involuntary protective services and protective placement; penalty
A. If an adult lacks the ability to consent to receive protective services or protective placement, those services or placement may be ordered by a court on an involuntary basis through an emergency order pursuant to the Adult Protective Services Act or through appointment of a guardian or conservator.
B. In ordering involuntary protective services or protective placement, the court shall authorize only that intervention that it finds to be least restrictive of the adult's liberty and rights consistent with the adult's welfare and safety. The basis for such a finding shall be stated in the record by the court.
C. The incapacitated or protected adult shall not be required to pay for involuntary protective services or protective placement unless that payment is authorized by the court upon a showing that the adult is financially able to pay. In this event, the court shall provide for reimbursement of the reasonable costs of the services or placement.
D. A person who interferes with the provision of involuntary protective services or protective placement to an adult is guilty of a misdemeanor. In the event that interference occurs, the department may petition the court to enjoin interference, may impose a civil penalty or, at the department's discretion, may request criminal prosecution.
E. The Adult Protective Services Act does not affect other state statutes governing treatment of an adult admitted to a mental health care institution for mental illness or involuntary commitment of an adult to a mental health care institution for mental illness or any other involuntary mental health treatment.
F. The department may petition the court for the appointment of a guardian or conservator if the department determines that a no less restrictive course of care or treatment is available that is consistent with the incapacitated adult's welfare and safety.
G. The department and its employees are prohibited from:
(1) taking custody of an adult;
(2) acting as guardian, conservator or surrogate for any adult in need of protective services or protective placement, except that an employee may serve in that role when related by affinity or consanguinity to an adult;
(3) acting as treatment guardian under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code [43-1-2 NMSA 1978], except that an employee may serve in that role when related by affinity or consanguinity to an adult;
(4) acting as qualified health care professionals pursuant to the Uniform Probate Code [45-1-101 NMSA 1978]; and
(5) acting as visitors under the Uniform Probate Code for any adult in need of protective services or protective placement.
H. The department may assess a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation against a person that violates the provisions of Subsection D of this section. The department may assess and collect the penalty after notice and an opportunity for hearing, before a hearing officer designated by the department to hear the matter, upon a determination that a person willfully interfered with the department pursuant to this section. The hearing officer has the power to administer oaths on request of any party and issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum. Additionally, if the violation is against a person covered by the Personnel Act [10-9-1 NMSA 1978], the department shall refer the matter to the agency employing the person for disciplinary action. Any party may appeal a final decision by the department to the court pursuant to the provisions of Section 39-3-1.1 NMSA 1978.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 11; 1997, ch. 132, § 9; 2007, ch. 91, § 7.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-25 Ex-parte orders for emergency protective services or emergency protective placement; notice; petition
27-7-25. Ex-parte orders for emergency protective services or emergency protective placement; notice; petition
A. Upon petition by the department, the court may issue an order authorizing the provision of involuntary protective services or protective placement on an emergency basis to an adult under the criteria set forth in Subsection B of this section.
B. At the time a petition is filed or any time thereafter, the court may issue an ex-parte order authorizing the provision of involuntary protective services or involuntary protective placement upon a sworn written statement of facts showing probable cause exists to believe that:
(1) the adult is incapacitated;
(2) an emergency exists;
(3) the adult lacks the ability to consent to receive protective services or protective placement; and
(4) no person authorized by law or court order to give consent for the adult is available or willing to consent to the provision of protective services or protective placement on an emergency basis.
C. The petition for an emergency ex-parte order shall set forth:
(1) the name, address and interest of the petitioner;
(2) the name, age and address of the adult in need of protective services;
(3) the facts describing the nature of the emergency;
(4) the facts describing the nature of the adult's incapacity;
(5) the proposed protective services or protective placement;
(6) the petitioner's reasonable belief, together with supporting facts, about the need for emergency intervention; and
(7) the facts showing the petitioner's attempts to obtain the adult's consent to the proposed protective services or protective placement and the outcome of those attempts.
D. An affidavit for an ex-parte order for emergency protective services or emergency protective placement may be signed by any person who has knowledge of the facts alleged or is informed of them and believes that they are true.
E. The Rules of Evidence do not apply to the issuance of an emergency ex-parte protective services or protective placement order.
F. In issuing an emergency ex-parte order, the court shall adhere to the following limitations:
(1) only the protective services or protective placement necessary to remove the conditions creating the emergency shall be ordered, and the order shall specifically designate the proposed protective services or protective placement;
(2) protective services or protective placement authorized by an emergency ex-parte order shall not include hospitalization or a change of residence, unless the order gives specific approval for the action;
(3) protective services or protective placement may be provided by emergency ex-parte order only for ten days; provided that the original order may be renewed once for a period of twenty additional days upon application to the court showing that continuation of the original order is necessary to remove the conditions creating the emergency. An application for renewal of the original order shall be supported by a written report of the results of the evaluation required by Subsection C of Section 27-7-27 NMSA 1978 and copies of the actual evaluations;
(4) the issuance of an emergency ex-parte order shall not deprive the adult of any rights except those provided for in the order;
(5) to implement an emergency ex-parte order, the court may authorize forcible entry of premises for the purposes of rendering protective services or protective placement or transporting the adult to another location for the provision of services or placement only if facts contained in the affidavit supporting the petition for ex-parte order show that attempts to gain voluntary access to the premises have failed and forcible entry is necessary; provided that persons making an authorized forcible entry shall be accompanied by a law enforcement officer; and
(6) service of an ex-parte order authorizing forcible entry shall be according to the following procedure. The order shall be served on the alleged incapacitated adult by a person authorized to serve arrest warrants and shall direct the officer to advise the adult of the nature of the protective services or protective placement that have been ordered by the court. If the order authorizes emergency protective placement, the order shall direct the officer to assist in transfer of the adult to a place designated by the court.
G. Notice of the filing of the petition and the issuance of the emergency ex-parte order, including a copy of the petition, the ex-parte order and the affidavit for ex-parte order, shall be given to the adult and the adult's spouse or, if none, the adult children or next of kin, surrogate or guardian, if any. The notice shall be given, in language reasonably understandable by its intended recipients, within twenty-four hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, from the time that the ex-parte order authorizing protective services or protective placement is issued by the court or, if the ex-parte order authorizes forcible entry, from the time the ex-parte order is served upon the incapacitated adult. The notice shall inform the recipients that a hearing will be held no later than ten days after the date the petition is filed to determine whether the conditions creating the emergency have been removed and whether the adult should be released from the court's order for protective services or protective placement.
H. Within ten days from the filing of a petition for an emergency order for protective services or protective placement, the court shall hold a hearing upon any application for renewal of the emergency order. The hearing upon an application for renewal shall be held pursuant to the provisions of Section 27-7-27 NMSA 1978.
I. The protected adult or any interested person may petition the court to have the emergency order set aside or modified at any time, notwithstanding any prior findings by the court that the adult is incapacitated.
J. If the adult continues to need protective services or protective placement after the renewal order provided in Paragraph (3) of Subsection F of this section has expired, the department or original petitioner shall immediately petition the court to appoint a conservator or guardian or to order nonemergency protective services or protective placement pursuant to Section 27-7-26 NMSA 1978.
K. The petitioner shall not be liable for filing the petition if the petitioner acted in good faith.
1978 Comp., § 27-7-25, enacted by Laws 1990, ch. 79, § 6; 1997, ch. 132, § 10; 2007, ch. 91, § 8.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-25.1 Emergency protective placement by a law enforcement officer without a court order
27-7-25.1. Emergency protective placement by a law enforcement officer without a court order
A. When, from personal observation of a law enforcement officer, it appears probable that an incapacitated adult will suffer immediate and irreparable physical injury or death if not immediately placed in a facility, that the adult is unable to give consent and that it is not possible due to the emergency nature of the circumstances to follow the procedures of Section 27-7-25 NMSA 1978, the law enforcement officer making that observation may transport the adult to a facility. No court order is required to authorize the law enforcement officer to act upon the officer's observation pursuant to this section.
B. A law enforcement officer who transports an incapacitated adult to a facility pursuant to the provisions of this section shall immediately notify the department of the placement.
C. The department shall file a petition pursuant to Subsection A of Section 27-7-25 NMSA 1978 within two working days after the placement of the adult by the law enforcement officer has occurred unless the department determines that the criteria for emergency removal and placement have not been met or that there is no further need for involuntary protective services or protective placement.
D. Upon receipt of notice from a law enforcement officer that an adult has been placed in a facility pursuant to the authority of this section, the department shall give notice pursuant to Subsection G of Section 27-7-25 NMSA 1978 within two working days after the placement of the adult has taken place.
E. The court shall hold a hearing on the petition filed by the department as a result of the law enforcement officer's emergency placement within ten days of the filing of the petition, pursuant to the provisions of Section 27-7-27 NMSA 1978, to determine whether the conditions creating the need for the emergency placement have been removed and whether the adult should be released from the protective placement.
1978 Comp., § 27-7-25.1, enacted by Laws 1990, ch. 79, § 7; 1997, ch. 132, § 11; 2007, ch. 91, § 9.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-26 Nonemergency protective services or protective placement; findings; petition; order
27-7-26. Nonemergency protective services or protective placement; findings; petition; order
A. Involuntary nonemergency protective services or protective placement shall not take place unless ordered by a court after a finding on the record based on clear and convincing evidence that:
(1) the adult is incapacitated and lacks the ability to consent;
(2) the adult is incapable of providing for the adult's own care or custody and the adult is at significant risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation that creates a substantial risk of serious physical harm to the adult or others;
(3) the adult needs care or treatment;
(4) the proposed order is substantially supported by the evaluation provided for in Subsection E of this section or, if not so supported, there are compelling reasons for ordering those protective services or that protective placement; and
(5) no less restrictive alternative course of care or treatment is available that is consistent with the incapacitated adult's welfare and safety.
B. The petition for nonemergency protective services or protective placement shall state with particularity the factual basis for the allegations specified in Subsection A of this section and shall be based on the most reliable information available to the petitioner.
C. Written notice of a petition for nonemergency protective services or protective placement shall be served upon the adult by personal service at least fourteen days prior to the time set for a hearing. Notice shall also be given to the adult's legal counsel, caretaker, guardian, conservator, surrogate, spouse and adult children or next of kin, whose names and addresses are known to the petitioner or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained. The person serving the notice shall certify to the court that the petition has been delivered and how the required notice was given. The notice shall be in language reasonably understandable by the adult who is the subject of the petition and also shall be given orally if necessary. The notice shall include:
(1) the names of all petitioners;
(2) the factual basis of the belief that protective services or protective placement is needed;
(3) the rights of the adult in the court proceedings; and
(4) the name and address of the proposed protective services or protective placement.
D. Upon the filing of a petition for nonemergency protective services or protective placement, the court shall hold a hearing pursuant to the provisions of Section 27-7-27 NMSA 1978.
E. In order to make the findings required in Paragraphs (2) through (5) of Subsection A of this section, the court shall direct that a comprehensive evaluation of the adult alleged to be in need of protective services or protective placement be conducted as provided in Subsection C of Section 27-7-27 NMSA 1978.
F. In ordering nonemergency protective placement, the court shall give consideration to the choice of residence of the adult. The court may order protective placement in a facility or with a provider.
G. The court may authorize nonemergency protective services or protective placement for an adult for a period not to exceed six months.
H. At the time of expiration of an order for nonemergency protective services or protective placement, the original petitioner may petition the court to extend its order for protective services or protective placement for an additional period not to exceed six months. The contents of the petition shall conform to the provisions of Subsections A and B of this section. Notice of the petition for the extension of protective services or protective placement shall be made in conformity with Subsection C of this section. The court shall hold a hearing to determine whether to renew the order. Any person entitled to a notice under Subsection C of this section may appear at the hearing and challenge the petition. The court shall conduct the hearing pursuant to the provisions of Section 27-7-27 NMSA 1978.
I. The services provided to or the residence of an adult that had been established pursuant to an order for nonemergency protective services or protective placement shall not be changed unless the court authorizes the change of services or transfer of residence. The adult or the adult's legal representative may petition the court to order such a change of services or transfer of residence.
J. Prior to the expiration of the nonemergency protective services or protective placement, the department shall review the need for continued services or placement, including the necessity for appointment of a conservator or guardian, and shall make such recommendation to the court.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 13; 1990, ch. 79, § 8; 1997, ch. 132, § 12; 2007, ch. 91, § 10.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-27 Hearing on petition
27-7-27. Hearing on petition
A. The hearing on a petition for renewal of an emergency ex-parte order for protective services or protective placement or for an order for nonemergency protective services or protective placement shall be held under the following conditions:
(1) the adult shall be present unless the court determines it is impossible for the adult to be present or it is not in the adult's best interest because of a threat to that adult's health and safety;
(2) the adult has the right to counsel whether or not the adult is present at the hearing. If the adult is indigent, the court shall appoint counsel no later than the time of the filing of the petition;
(3) counsel appointed by the court pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this subsection shall interview the allegedly incapacitated adult prior to any hearing on the petition or any application for renewal of the original emergency order;
(4) the adult shall have the right to trial by jury upon request by the adult or the adult's counsel only in hearings held on petitions for nonemergency protective services or protective placement; and
(5) the adult has the right at the adult's own expense or, if indigent, at the expense of the state to secure an independent medical, psychological or psychiatric examination relevant to the issue involved in any hearing under this section and to present a report of this independent evaluation or the evaluator's personal testimony as evidence at the hearing.
B. The duty of counsel representing an adult for whom a petition for an order for emergency protective services or for nonemergency protective services or protective placement has been filed shall be to represent the adult by protecting the adult's legal rights and presenting the adult's declared position to the court.
C. The department shall establish an evaluation or assessment process for the conduct of a comprehensive physical, mental and social evaluation of an adult for whom a petition has been filed in a court for an order for nonemergency protective services or protective placement or for whom an application for renewal of an original emergency order has been made. The court shall consider the department's evaluation or assessment in determining whether to issue an order or renewal of an order for nonemergency protective services or protective placement.
D. The court shall issue for the record a statement of its findings in support of any order for renewal of emergency protective services or for nonemergency protective services or protective placement.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 14; 1990, ch. 79, § 9; 1997, ch. 132, § 13; 2007, ch. 91, § 11.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-28 Legal proceedings; filing
27-7-28. Legal proceedings; filing
For all legal proceedings called for in the Adult Protective Services Act, attorneys for the department or the district attorney's office shall file all proceedings on behalf of the petitioner.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 15.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-29 Confidentiality of records; penalty
27-7-29. Confidentiality of records; penalty
A. All records of the department, the department's designee, including a multidisciplinary team, the court and state and local agencies that are created or maintained pursuant to investigations under the Adult Protective Services Act or for whom application has ever been made for protection shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed directly or indirectly to the public.
B. The records described in Subsection A of this section shall be open to inspection only by persons with a legitimate interest in the records as follows:
(1) the alleged abused, neglected or exploited adult, or the adult's surrogate, except as to the identity of the referral source and second source information, such as medical or psychological evaluations;
(2) court personnel;
(3) law enforcement officials;
(4) department personnel;
(5) any state government social services agency in any other state;
(6) health care or mental health professionals involved in the evaluation, treatment, residential care or protection of the adult;
(7) parties and their counsel in all legal proceedings pursuant to the Adult Protective Services Act or legal actions pursuant to the Uniform Probate Code [45-1-101 NMSA 1978];
(8) persons who have been, or will be in the immediate future, providing care or services to the adult, except the alleged perpetrator of the abuse, neglect or exploitation;
(9) persons appointed by the court pursuant to the Uniform Probate Code to be the adult's guardian ad litem, guardian, conservator, visitor or qualified health care professional;
(10) any of the persons whom the department petitions the court appoint pursuant to the Uniform Probate Code;
(11) any other person or entity, by order of the court, having a legitimate interest in the case or the work of the court; and
(12) protection and advocacy representatives pursuant to the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act or the protection and advocacy of individual rights provisions of the Rehabilitation Act.
C. Records of cases involving substantiated abuse, neglect or exploitation shall be provided as appropriate to the department of health, the district attorney's office, the medicaid fraud control unit in New Mexico, the office of the attorney general and the office of the long-term care ombudsman for appropriate additional action.
D. Any person who intentionally, unlawfully releases any information or records closed to the public pursuant to this section or releases or makes other unlawful use of records in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
E. The department may assess a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation against any person that intentionally, unlawfully releases any information or records closed to the public pursuant to this section or releases or makes other unlawful use of records. The department may assess and collect the penalty, after notice and an opportunity for hearing before a hearing officer designated by the department to hear the matter, upon a determination that a person violated the provisions of this subsection. The hearing officer has the power to administer oaths on request of any party and issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum. Additionally, if the violation is against a person covered by the Personnel Act [10-9-1 NMSA 1978], the department shall refer the matter to the agency employing the person for disciplinary action. Any party may appeal a final decision by the department to the court pursuant to the provisions of Section 39-3-1.1 NMSA 1978.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 16; 1997, ch. 132, § 14; 2007, ch. 91, § 12.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-30 Duty to report; penalty
27-7-30. Duty to report; penalty
A. Any person, including financial institutions, having reasonable cause to believe that an incapacitated adult is being abused, neglected or exploited shall immediately report that information to the department.
B. The report required in Subsection A of this section may be made orally or in writing. The report shall include the name, age and address of the adult, the name and address of any other person responsible for the adult's care, the nature and extent of the adult's condition, the basis of the reporter's knowledge and other relevant information.
C. Any person failing or refusing to report, or obstructing or impeding any investigation, as required by Subsection A of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
D. The department may assess a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation against a person that violates the provisions of Subsection A of this section or obstructs or impedes any investigation as required pursuant to Subsection A of this section. The department may assess and collect the penalty, after notice and an opportunity for hearing before a hearing officer designated by the department to hear the matter, upon a determination that a person violated the provisions of Subsection A of this section or obstructed or impeded any investigation as required pursuant to this section. The hearing officer has the power to administer oaths on request of any party and issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum. Additionally, if the violation is against a person covered by the Personnel Act [10-9-1 NMSA 1978], the department shall refer the matter to the agency employing the person for disciplinary action. Any party may appeal a final decision by the department to the court pursuant to the provisions of Section 39-3-1.1 NMSA 1978.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 17; 1990, ch. 79, § 10; 1997, ch. 132, § 15; 2007, ch. 91, § 13.
NMSA 1978, § 27-7-31 Immunity
27-7-31. Immunity
Any person making a report pursuant to Section 27-7-30 NMSA 1978, testifying in any judicial proceeding arising from the report or participating in a required evaluation pursuant to the Adult Protective Services Act or any law enforcement officer carrying out his responsibilities under that act or any person providing records or information as required under that act shall be immune from civil or criminal liability on account of that report, testimony or participation, unless the person acted in bad faith or with a malicious purpose.
Laws 1989, ch. 389, § 18; 1997, ch. 132, § 16.
Source: New Mexico Compilation Commission (nmonesource.com)URL: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/item/18527/index.doFetched: 10/20/2026