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39-1411. Register of reports; findings forwarded to certain state regulatory authorities; consideration of findings; certain information confidential and not subject to open records act; disclosure of certain individuals prohibited. (a) The secretary for aging and disability services shall maintain a register of the reports received and investigated by the Kansas department for aging and disability services under K.S.A. 39-1402 and 39-1403, and amendments thereto, and the findings, evaluations and actions recommended by the Kansas department for aging and disability services with respect to such reports. The secretary of health and environment shall maintain a register of the reports received and investigated by the department of health and environment under K.S.A. 39-1402 and 39-1403, and amendments thereto, and the findings, evaluations and actions recommended by the department of health and environment with respect to such reports. The findings, evaluations and actions shall be subject to the Kansas administrative procedure act and any requirements of state or federal law relating thereto except that the secretary shall not be required to conduct a hearing in cases forwarded to the appropriate state authority under subsection (b). The register shall be available for inspection by personnel of the department of health and environment or the Kansas department for aging and disability services as specified by the secretary of health and environment or the secretary for aging and disability services and to such other persons as may be required by federal law and designated by the secretary of health and environment or the secretary for aging and disability services by rules and regulations. Information from the register shall be provided as specified in K.S.A. 65-6205, and amendments thereto.

(b) The secretary for aging and disability services shall forward any finding of abuse, neglect or exploitation alleged to be committed by a provider of services licensed, registered or otherwise authorized to provide services in this state to the appropriate state authority which regulates such provider. The secretary of health and environment shall forward any finding of abuse, neglect or exploitation alleged to be committed by a provider of services licensed, registered or otherwise authorized to provide services in this state to the appropriate state authority which regulates such provider. The appropriate state regulatory authority, after notice to the alleged perpetrator and a hearing on such matter if requested by the alleged perpetrator, may consider the finding in any disciplinary action taken with respect to the provider of services under the jurisdiction of such authority. The secretary for aging and disability services may consider the finding of abuse, neglect or exploitation in any licensing action taken with respect to any adult care home or medical care facility under the jurisdiction of the secretary for aging and disability services. The secretary of health and environment may consider the finding of abuse, neglect or exploitation in any licensing action taken with respect to any medical care facility under the jurisdiction of the secretary of health and environment.

(c) If the investigation of the department of health and environment or the Kansas department for aging and disability services indicates reason to believe that the resident is in need of protective services, that finding and all information relating to that finding shall be forwarded by the secretary of health and environment or the secretary for aging and disability services to the secretary for children and families.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the report received by the department of health and environment or the Kansas department for aging and disability services and the written findings, evaluations and actions recommended shall be confidential and shall not be subject to the open records act. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the name of the person making the original report to the department of health and environment or the Kansas department for aging and disability services or any person mentioned in such report shall not be disclosed unless such person specifically requests or agrees in writing to such disclosure or unless a judicial or administrative proceeding results therefrom. In the event that an administrative or judicial action arises, no use of the information shall be made until the judge or presiding officer makes a specific finding, in writing, after a hearing, that under all the circumstances the need for the information outweighs the need for confidentiality. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no information contained in the register shall be made available to the public in such a manner as to identify individuals.

History: L. 1990, ch. 153, § 9; L. 1991, ch. 121, § 1; L. 1997, ch. 161, § 6; L. 2000, ch. 146, § 1; L. 2003, ch. 149, § 31; L. 2014, ch. 115, § 166; July 1.