Who must report: Physicians, nurses, dentists, optometrists, medical examiners, coroners, other medical/mental health/allied health professionals, teachers, counselors, psychologists, social workers, caregivers, and any staff or volunteer of an adult day care center or facility who has reason to believe a vulnerable adult has been or is likely to be abused, neglected, or exploited. A vulnerable adult is defined as a person 18 or older whose physical or mental condition substantially impairs their ability to provide for their own care or protection — this includes essentially any resident of a licensed facility.
When to report: A required reporter must report within twenty-four hours or the next working day (S.C. Code § 43-35-25).
The reporting pathway depends on facility type — this is the part most staff get wrong:
| Where the person lives or receives care | Report to | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities operated or contracted by BHDD's Office of Mental Health or Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, or by the Department of Veterans' Affairs | Vulnerable Adults Investigations Unit of SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) | 1-866-200-6066 (toll-free) |
| Other licensed facilities (nursing homes, CRCFs) | Long Term Care Ombudsman Program | 1-800-868-9095 |
| All other settings (community and home settings) | Adult Protective Services | 1-888-CARE4US (1-888-227-3487) |
No facility may develop policies that interfere with these reporting requirements — this is explicit in the statute. A facility policy that requires internal approval before an external report can be made would itself violate the law.
Enforcement (§ 43-35-85(A)): A required reporter who knowingly and willfully fails to report abuse, neglect or exploitation is guilty of a misdemeanor. On conviction the fine is up to $2,500, imprisonment is up to one year, or both.
Practical takeaway: Post the correct reporting number for YOUR facility type prominently in staff areas — the wrong number for your facility type (e.g., calling APS for a BHDD-operated facility) sends the report to an agency without jurisdiction, delaying the actual investigation.
General information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm against the official source before you act, or ask us how this applies to your organization.