(a) Reporting.--Any person having reasonable cause to believe that an older adult is in need of protective services may report such information to the agency which is the local provider of protective services. Where applicable, reports shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 7.¹

(b) Receiving reports.--The agency shall be capable of receiving reports of older adults in need of protective services 24 hours a day, seven days a week (including holidays). This capability may include the use of a local emergency response system or a crisis intervention agency, provided that access can be made to a protective services caseworker in appropriate emergency situations as set forth in regulations promulgated by the department. All reports received orally under this section shall be reduced to writing immediately by the person who receives the report.

(c) Retaliatory action; penalty.--Any person making a report or cooperating with the agency, including providing testimony in any administrative or judicial proceeding, and the victim shall be free from any discriminatory, retaliatory or disciplinary action by an employer or by any other person or entity. Any person who violates this subsection is subject to a civil lawsuit by the reporter or the victim wherein the reporter or victim shall recover treble compensatory damages, compensatory and punitive damages or $5,000, whichever is greater.

(c.1) Intimidation; penalty.--Any person, including the victim, with knowledge sufficient to justify making a report or cooperating with the agency, including possibly providing testimony in any administrative or judicial proceeding, shall be free from any intimidation by an employer or by any other person or entity. Any person who violates this subsection is subject to civil lawsuit by the person intimidated or the victim wherein the person intimidated or the victim shall recover treble compensatory damages, compensatory and punitive damages or $5,000, whichever is greater.

(d) Immunity.--Any person participating in the making of a report or who provides testimony in any administrative or judicial proceeding arising out of a report shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability on account of the report or testimony unless the person acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose. This immunity shall not extend to liability for acts of abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment, even if such acts are the subject of the report or testimony.