SECTIONS 15659 - California Statutes

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

SECTION 15659

15659. (a) Any person who enters into employment on or after
January 1, 1995, as a care custodian, clergy member, health
practitioner, or with an adult protective services agency or a local
law enforcement agency, prior to commencing his or her employment and
as a prerequisite to that employment, shall sign a statement on a
form that shall be provided by the prospective employer, to the
effect that he or she has knowledge of Section 15630 and will comply
with its provisions. The employer shall provide a copy of Section
15630 to the employee. The statement shall inform the employee that
he or she is a mandated reporter and inform the employee of his or
her reporting obligations under Section 15630. The signed statement
shall be retained by the employer.
(b) Agencies or facilities that employ persons who were employed
prior to January 1, 1995, and who are required to make reports
pursuant to Section 15630, shall inform those persons of their
responsibility to make reports by delivering to them a copy of the
statement specified in subdivision (a).
(c) The cost of printing, distribution, and filing of these
statements shall be borne by the employer.
(d) On and after January 1, 1995, when a person is issued a state
license or certificate to engage in a profession or occupation the
members of which are required to make a report pursuant to Section
15630, the state agency issuing the license or certificate shall send
to the person a statement substantially similar to the one contained
in subdivision (a) at the same time that it transmits to the person
the document indicating licensure or certification.
(e) As an alternative to the procedure required by subdivision
(d), a state agency may cause the required statement to be printed on
all application forms for a license or certificate printed on or
after January 1, 1995.
(f) The retention of statements required by subdivision (a), and
the delivery of statements required by subdivision (b), shall be the
full extent of the employer's duty pursuant to this section. The
failure of any employee or other person associated with the employer
to report abuse of elders or dependent adults pursuant to Section
15630 or otherwise meet the requirements of this chapter shall be the
sole responsibility of that person. The employer or facility shall
incur no civil or other liability for the failure of these persons to
comply with the requirements of this chapter.