SECTION 1. Section 23-17.8-3.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17.8 entitled "Abuse in Health Care Facilities" is hereby amended to read as follows:

23-17.8-3.1. Physician's report of examination -- Duty of facility.-- Physician's, certified registered nurse practitioner's and physician assistant's report of examination -- Duty of facility. -- Whenever a facility shall receive a report by a person other than a physician or a certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant that a patient or resident of the facility has been harmed as a result of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment, the facility shall have the patient examined by a licensed physician or a certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant. It shall be mandatory for the physician or certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant to make a preliminary report of his or her findings to the department of health for a health care facility, or to the department of mental health, retardation and hospitals for a community residence for people who are mentally retarded or persons with developmental disabilities and to the facility within forty-eight (48) hours after his or her examination, and a written report within five (5) days after his or her examination.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.