Sec. 47.24.019. - Petitioning court for certain protective services. - Alaska Statutes

(a) If, after investigation under AS 47.24.015 , the department has reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is in need of protective services and is an incapacitated person, the department may petition the court under AS 13.26 for appointment of a guardian or temporary guardian, or for a change of guardian, for the vulnerable adult for the purpose of deciding whether to consent to the receipt of protective services for the vulnerable adult.

(b) If, after an investigation under AS 47.24.015 , the department has reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is mentally ill and as a result either is likely to cause serious harm to self or others or is gravely disabled, the department may petition the court under AS 47.30.700 to initiate an involuntary commitment proceeding.

(c) If a vulnerable adult who has consented to receive protective services, or on whose behalf consent to receive protective services has been given, is prevented by a caregiver, guardian, attorney-in-fact, or surrogate decision maker from receiving those services, the department may petition the superior court for an injunction restraining the caregiver, guardian, attorney-in-fact, or surrogate decision maker from interfering with the provision of protective services to the vulnerable adult.