Sentinel Event Decision Tree

Alabama

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours

The deadlines come from ADMH’s Part B Incident Management Plan. Its cover reads ‘Revised: June 2024’ although the file name says June 2025, and rule 580-2-20-.06 points to the most recent published plan, so check the ADMH site for a newer revision.

Deadlines

• Critical incidents: GER entered and approved in Therap within 24 hours of the provider becoming aware
• Deaths in a 24-hour care setting from self-inflicted injury, assault, accident or possibly non-natural causes: a verbal report to ADMH within 24 hours as well
• Non-critical incidents: GER completed and approved within 7 days, reportable to ADMH monthly
• Follow-up (GER Resolution) within 15 days for critical incidents, nonconsensual sexual contact and abuse or neglect
• Investigations completed within 15 days of their initiation

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Critical: allegations of abuse or neglect
• Critical: death
• Critical: elopement
• Critical: hospitalization for medical or psychiatric reasons from a locked unit, a child or adolescent residential program, or a substance use residential program
• Critical: law enforcement involvement
• Critical: major injury
• Critical: media event
• Critical: Level 3 medication error
• Critical: naloxone administered
• Critical: opioid overdose
• Critical: nonconsensual sexual contact
• Critical: relocation
• Critical: suicide attempt
• Critical: discretionary
• Substance use providers also report a confidentiality or privacy breach and legal or criminal activity
• Non-critical (reportable to ADMH monthly): Level 1 and 2 medication errors, seclusion, restraint, consensual sexual contact, discretionary

Agency

Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), Division of Mental Health and Substance Use Services (certification). Incident reports go to ADMH through Therap.

How to report

Therap, the ADMH-approved electronic system: a General Event Report (GER), then a GER Resolution. Death calls go to the substance use line, 334-242-3962 in business hours or 334-328-6477 after hours, or the mental health line, 334-242-3200 in business hours or 334-595-2703 after hours. The qirm.dmh@mh.alabama.gov mailbox is for prevention providers only.

Also required

The plan says it does not replace statutory reports to Alabama DHR, ADPH, OSHA or law enforcement. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-2-20-.06 (Incident Management), a new rule effective May 15, 2020, which requires policies supporting the most recent published ADMH MHSAS Incident Management Plan. The operative detail is in the Part B MHSU Division Certified Community Providers Incident Management Plan, whose cover reads ‘Revised: June 2024’.

Applies to

ADMH-certified community mental health and substance use disorder providers (Incident Management Plan Part B).

Sources: admincode.legislature.state.al.us, mh.alabama.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Alaska

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 72 hours (DBH grantees, counted in calendar days)

This deadline comes from DBH’s grant standards, not from the licensing rules, so it reaches grantees. A provider that takes no DBH grant money should confirm with DBH whether it has a reporting duty. The standards are dated March 2021, so check the DBH site for a newer version.

Deadlines

• Grantees: incident report to the Division within 72 hours, counted in calendar days (Section I, 1.10.1)
• Suspected harm to a vulnerable adult: report to Adult Protective Services within 24 hours of learning of it (AS 47.24.010, and the state APS page)

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Critical incidents, including missing and deceased recipients (Section I, 1.10). The standards do not define the term beyond those two
• Residential grantees: any client found to be missing, seriously injured or deceased (Section II, 3.4.1.2)

Agency

Alaska Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health (DBH). It approves community behavioral health and SUD providers under 7 AAC 70 and sets incident reporting duties for its grantees.

How to report

Grantees send DBH its incident report template, which is posted on the DBH website. Harm to a vulnerable adult goes to Adult Protective Services through the online report form, by phone at 1-800-478-9996 in Alaska or 907-269-3666 (ask for Centralized Reporting), by fax at 907-269-3648, or by email to doh.aps@alaska.gov. In an emergency, call local law enforcement first.

Also required

Grantees must also follow their accreditation requirements for documenting and responding to critical incidents (Section I, 1.10.2). AS 47.17.020: paid staff of drug/alcohol treatment organizations must report suspected child abuse/neglect immediately to the nearest Department office. AS 47.24.010: listed professionals (incl. mental health professionals and administrators of health care facilities) must report suspected vulnerable-adult harm within 24 hours. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

DBH Grant Programs and Service Standards (March 2021), Section I, 1.10, 1.10.1 and 1.10.2, and Section II, 3.4.1.2. 7 AAC 70.240 requires internal policies to identify and analyze critical incidents and sentinel events but sets no outside reporting duty.

Applies to

DBH grantees (all grantees under Section I, 1.10). Residential grantees also have the Section II, 3.4.1.2 duty. For providers that take no DBH grant money, we found no state reporting deadline in the licensing rules.

Sources: aws.state.ak.us, health.alaska.gov, regulations.justia.com. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Arizona

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 1 working day (deaths)

If you hold an RBHA contract, your RBHA may require incident reports on a shorter clock than ADHS licensing. The contract does not state a deadline for non-Medicaid individuals, so confirm what applies with your RBHA.

Deadlines

• Death: written notice to ADHS within 1 working day after death
• Self-injury/accident: written notice to ADHS within 2 working days
• Abuse/neglect/exploitation: report per A.R.S. 46-454 (adults) or 13-3620 (minors); document investigation within 5 working days after the report; keep 12 months

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Death that must be reported to the medical examiner under A.R.S. 11-593
• Self-injury requiring immediate EMS intervention (BHRF also: accident requiring immediate EMS intervention)
• Suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation (reported under A.R.S. 46-454 or 13-3620 and investigated)
• A.R.S. 36-418 facilities only: actual or alleged event creating significant risk of serious harm

Agency

Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Division of Public Health Licensing Services

How to report

Written notification to ADHS; no specific portal or form named in the rules.

Also required

Deaths to county medical examiner (A.R.S. 11-593); adults to APS/law enforcement (A.R.S. 46-454); minors to DCS/law enforcement (A.R.S. 13-3620). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply. The AHCCCS ACC-RBHA contract (YH22-0061R, Amendment 6, eff. 10/1/2026, Section D, para. 22) has the RBHA require its providers to report incident, accident and death reports, and says reports for Non-Title XIX/XXI individuals are submitted in the same manner as for Title XIX/XXI individuals, as specified in AMPM Policy 961. Policy 961 is written for Medicaid contractors and sets 2 business days for incident, accident and death reports and 1 business day for sentinel reports. The contract itself states no deadline for non-Medicaid individuals.

Rule

A.A.C. R9-10-703(G) and (I) (behavioral health residential facilities; last amended eff. 3/3/2020); R9-10-303(E) and (G) (behavioral health inpatient facilities; last amended eff. 5/1/2021); R9-10-1003 (outpatient treatment centers, abuse/neglect only); A.R.S. 36-418; AHCCCS ACC-RBHA contract YH22-0061R, Amendment 6 (eff. 10/1/2026), Section D, para. 22; AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual Policy 961

Applies to

Death/self-injury notices: behavioral health residential facilities and behavioral health inpatient facilities (SUD and MH). Outpatient treatment centers: abuse/neglect duties only.

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, www.law.cornell.edu, azahcccs.gov, azahcccs.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Arkansas

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Immediately, no later than 24 hours (therapeutic communities)

The 24-hour rule is written for DHS-certified therapeutic communities. Licensed alcohol and drug programs that are not therapeutic communities report under an OSAMH Incident Reporting Policy that is not published, so call OSAMH licensing to confirm your deadline. Until you hear back, treat 24 hours as the deadline.

Deadlines

• Therapeutic communities: report to DHS immediately by phone or fax, and no later than 24 hours after the incident
• Therapeutic communities: a phone report must be followed by a written report within 24 hours
• Licensed alcohol and drug programs: the published rules set no deadline, and OSAMH receives follow-up reports until the incident is closed (§ 433-317)
• All licensed programs: document the event internally as soon as possible (§ 433-312)

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Therapeutic communities: critical incidents involving an allegation of a sentinel event or resident abuse (§ 416-504)
• Sentinel event (§ 416-102): an unexpected death or serious physical or psychological injury to a client, or the risk of one, including suicide, homicide, criminal activity, assault and other violence (including domestic violence and sexual assault), and adverse drug events causing serious injury or death
• Licensed alcohol and drug programs: medication errors and adverse reactions (§ 433-317) and significant client events covered by the OSAMH Incident Reporting Policy (§ 433-312)
• Opioid treatment programs: lost or stolen doses, theft and diversion, and overdose deaths (§ 433-323)
• Adolescent programs: all incidents recorded and reported as appropriate (§ 433-320)

Agency

Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). The published licensure standards name the Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (OADAP) in the Division of Behavioral Health Services, an older structure. DHS now lists the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (OSAMH) as its own shared-services office. Call OSAMH to confirm which office takes incident reports for your program.

How to report

Therapeutic communities: phone or fax DHS, then send a written report within 24 hours if you phoned. Licensed alcohol and drug programs: follow the OSAMH Incident Reporting Policy, which is not published online.

Also required

Staff are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

20 CAR § 416-504 and § 416-102 (Therapeutic Communities Certification Manual); 20 CAR pt. 433 (Licensure Standards for Substance Abuse Treatment Programs), §§ 433-312, 433-317, 433-320, 433-323

Applies to

DHS-certified therapeutic communities (20 CAR pt. 416) and state-licensed alcohol and other drug abuse treatment programs (20 CAR pt. 433).

Sources: codeofarrules.arkansas.gov, codeofarrules.arkansas.gov, humanservices.arkansas.gov, humanservices.arkansas.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

California

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 1 working day

Resident deaths also need a supplemental report of new information within 30 days (AB 1356).

Deadlines

• Telephone (or email per Form 5079) report to DHCS within 1 working day
• Written report (DHCS 5079) within 7 calendar days
• Resident deaths: supplemental report of relevant information not known at the time, within 30 days of the death (AB 1356 / BHIN 26-007)

Reporting form

• Incident, Injury or Death Report, DHCS 5079 (PDF)

What the rules say you report

• Death of any resident from any cause (licensed); death of any person at the program (certified)
• Facility-related resident injury requiring medical treatment (licensed); client injury requiring emergency medical treatment (certified)
• Title 17 reportable communicable diseases (also to local health officer)
• Poisonings (licensed)
• Catastrophes (flood, earthquake, other natural disaster)
• Fires or explosions on the premises

Agency

California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Licensing and Certification Division

How to report

DHCS Form 5079: phone (916) 322-2911, email LCDQuestions@dhcs.ca.gov, or mail to DHCS LCD, SUD Licensing and Certification Section, PO Box 997413, MS 2600, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413. BHIN 26-007 lists SUDComplaints@dhcs.ca.gov as its contact.

Also required

Communicable diseases to local health officer. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Cal. Code Regs. tit. 9, 10561(b) (licensed residential AOD facilities); Health and Saf. Code 11832.11 (certified programs, per BHIN 25-003); Health and Saf. Code 11834.01, 11834.30 as amended by AB 1356 (‘John’s Law’, Stats. 2025, ch. 189), per BHIN 26-007 (Feb. 9, 2026); DHCS Form 5079 (rev. 01/2025)

Applies to

DHCS-licensed residential SUD recovery/treatment facilities and DHCS-certified AOD programs. Mental health facilities licensed by other agencies are not covered.

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, www.dhcs.ca.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Colorado

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 1 business day

The Universal Contracting Provisions on the BHA site are a 2022 consultant draft that proposes 24 hours and was never adopted. The contract duties above come from the SFY2027 BHASO contracts (CMS 27 IBEH 206847 and 206846) and apply to BHASO Network providers. The posted copies show a blank effective date, so confirm with your BHASO.

Deadlines

• Report to BHA within 1 business day after the incident
• Also within 1 business day of when the BHE determines a reportable incident occurred and BHA requests the report
• Investigation findings report available to BHA on request (no deadline)
• Retain reports at least 3 years
• BHASO Network providers licensed or regulated by BHA: Rule 2.16 applies by reference in the BHASO contract (Exhibit A, 1.6.2.5.a)
• BHASO Network providers: submit critical incidents through the BHA Critical Incident Report Form and also supply critical incidents for BHASO-funded services to the BHASO (Exhibit A 1.6.2.5.a; Exhibit D, Article 7.2). The contract states no separate hour count
• BHASO outpatient competency restoration services: critical incident form within 24 hours of the incident (Exhibit A, 3.4.1.4)
• BHASO forensic community placement or conditional release clients: notify the FCBS Program Director and the BHASO immediately (Exhibit A, 3.5.4.4.m)

Reporting form

• BHA Critical Incident Report (online form)

What the rules say you report

• Breach of confidentiality
• Death
• Elopement
• Missing individual (at risk, or 8+ hours)
• Medication diversion
• Medication error causing or risking harm
• Medical emergency (suicide attempt, serious injury, overdose, illness)
• Physical, sexual or verbal abuse
• Serious injuries
• Caretaker neglect or child abuse/neglect
• Misappropriation of property
• Care equipment malfunction or misuse
• BHASO contracts: critical incidents as defined in the contract (same categories as Rule 2.16) related to services funded under the BHASO contract

Agency

Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA)

How to report

BHA online Critical Incident Report form (Qualtrics), linked from bha.colorado.gov/critical-incident-report. Contact cdhs_bha_ci@state.co.us, 303-551-4190. BHASO Network providers use the same BHA form and also report to their BHASO.

Also required

Rule says it is not in lieu of reporting required by state statute or federal guidelines (not itemized). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply. Every BHA contract also requires immediate notice to the State of any information security incident (unauthorized access to State information resources).

Rule

2 CCR 502-1, Rule 2.16 (Critical Incident Reporting; 46 CR 23, eff. 1/1/2024); BHA also cites 6.5.2, 11.3.2, 12.3.2.B.9, 21.140, 21.300.3.J, 21.600.7.A; BHASO contracts CMS 27 IBEH 206847 and 27 IBEH 206846 (SFY2027), Exhibit A 1.6.2.5, 3.4.1.4, 3.5.4.4.m and Exhibit D Article 7

Applies to

All BHA-licensed or designated agencies (BHE, Safety Net, 27-65 designation, RSSO, etc.), SUD and MH, residential and outpatient. BHASO Network providers delivering services funded under a BHASO contract, the contracts that carry block grant and state SUD funds.

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, bha.colorado.gov, bha.colorado.gov, drive.google.com, drive.google.com. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Connecticut

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Immediately

Deadlines

• Rule: report immediately, then written report within 72 hours
• Current DPH practice: start the report immediately in the FLIS Events web system (replaces phone reporting); submit full event within 72 hours
• Class C (mental health): written report within 72 hours of the start of the legal action

Reporting form

• DPH Reportable Events system (instructions and login)

What the rules say you report

• Class A: event resulting in a serious condition or death (SUD), or that resulted or had the potential to result in serious injury or death (mental health)
• Class B: event that has or may interrupt facility services
• Class C (mental health facilities only): event that results in legal action against the facility

Agency

Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Facility Licensing and Investigations Section (FLIS)

How to report

DPH FLIS Reportable Events web system (https://dphflisevents.ct.gov), live since Sept. 18, 2024 for substance abuse facilities, psychiatric outpatient clinics for adults, mental health residential living, community residences and day treatment. After business hours, duty officers are notified automatically. Help via the FLIS ticket portal (https://dph-cthelpdesk.ct.gov/Ticket). Outbreaks also to DPH Epidemiology 860-509-7994 and local health.

Also required

Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Regs. Conn. State Agencies 19a-495-570(l) (private freestanding SUD facilities, last amended 1999), 19a-495-550(j) and 19a-495-551(j) (adult mental health facilities), Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-521e (electronic reporting)

Applies to

DPH-licensed private freestanding SUD facilities and adult mental health facilities (psychiatric outpatient clinics for adults, mental health day treatment, residential living centers and community residences).

Sources: eregulations.ct.gov, portal.ct.gov, law.justia.com. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Delaware

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (deemed-status programs)

Delaware’s duty depends on the program. Accredited programs holding DSAMH deemed status report within 24 hours under 6001, DSAMH-contracted providers follow DSAMH029, and other licensees have no 6001 reporting deadline. Delaware also enacted 16 Del. C. ch. 56 on August 31, 2026. Once implemented, on the earlier of August 31, 2028 or DSAMH’s Register notice of final regulations, staff must report incidents to DSAMH immediately, and intentionally failing to report a critical incident is a class A misdemeanor with a civil penalty of up to $1,000.

Deadlines

• Deemed-status programs: report to DSAMH within 24 hours, with the root cause analysis or investigation report and action plan prepared under the accreditor’s guidelines (6001 §§17.3.2, 18.3.2, 19.3.2)
• DSAMH-contracted providers: Incident/Death Reporting Form (DSAMH029A) within 2 business days of the incident, Death Report Form (DSAMH029B) within 2 business days of the death or of learning of it, and the provider’s investigation within 5 business days. One passage of the policy says 3 business days for deaths, so ask DSAMH which applies.
• Licensees that are neither deemed-status nor DSAMH-contracted: no reporting deadline in 6001

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Deemed status through The Joint Commission: all sentinel events (6001 §17.3.2)
• Deemed status through CARF: significant events (§18.3.2)
• Deemed status through COA: hazardous or emergency situations (§19.3.2)
• Any deemed program: an immediate threat to life found by the accreditor during a survey visit (§§17.3.1, 18.3.1, 19.3.1)
• DSAMH-contracted providers (DSAMH029): death from any cause, abuse, neglect, exploitation, serious injury, restrictive intervention, and elopement from a 24-hour facility

Agency

Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH)

How to report

Deemed-status programs report directly to DSAMH. DSAMH-contracted providers email DSAMH029A or DSAMH029B to complaintandincidentreporting@delaware.gov, and group home incidents also go through the DHCQ portal. Chapter 56 calls for a DSAMH online reporting system once implemented.

Also required

6001 requires policies for mandated child abuse/neglect reports (5.1.4.4.1.16) and assurance abuse will be reported (7.1.2.1.7). 16 Del. C. 903-904: any person must report suspected child abuse/neglect to DSCYF, and an immediate oral report is required for sexual abuse, death, current physical injury and similar urgent cases. 31 Del. C. 3910: report impaired/incapacitated adult abuse to DHSS (APS), with no reporter deadline stated. DHCQ-licensed mental health group homes: employees report abuse, neglect, mistreatment or financial exploitation to DHSS orally right away and in writing within 48 hours (16 Del. C. 1132). The DHCQ line, 1-877-453-0012, is staffed weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

16 Del. Admin. Code 6001 (Substance Abuse Facility Licensing Standards, 14 DE Reg. 471, 11/01/10), §§17.3.2, 18.3.2 and 19.3.2 (reporting by deemed-status programs). DSAMH029 Community Incident Reporting Policy (DSAMH-contracted providers). 16 Del. C. §§ 5641 to 5649 (85 Del. Laws c. 461, signed August 31, 2026, not yet implemented).

Applies to

SUD and co-occurring treatment programs licensed by DSAMH. Chapter 56 will extend DSAMH licensing to adult mental health programs once implemented.

Sources: dhss.delaware.gov, dhss.delaware.gov, www.delcode.delaware.gov, legis.delaware.gov, delcode.delaware.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

District of Columbia

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 1 hour (verbal)

DBH web guidance and Bulletin 130 differ on how routine unusual incidents are sent. Serious incidents follow the 1-hour and 24-hour steps.

Deadlines

• Serious incidents: verbal report to DBH immediately, no later than 1 hour after discovery
• Written MUI report within 24 hours (DBH page says MUIs/UIs within 24 hours)
• UI summary reports quarterly via ERisk (Bulletin 130)
• Rights-violation allegations: report within 24 hours; investigate within 30 calendar days; send investigation report within 24 hours of completion
• Criminal allegations against staff: report immediately

Reporting form

• DBH Incident Reporting (submit online)

What the rules say you report

• Major Unusual Incidents (35 categories) incl. death, crime, abuse (physical, sexual, verbal), sexual assault/harassment, neglect, exploitation, suicide attempt, major injury, major medical/psychiatric emergency, missing consumer, elopement, restraint, seclusion, emergency involuntary medication, missed medication, severe medication-error reaction, fire, illegal drugs/weapons, PHI or facility security breach, vehicle accidents, staff shortage
• Unusual Incidents (e.g., aggressive behavior, contraband, minor injury, police emergency, self-injurious behavior)
• Alleged rights or confidentiality violations (6320.4)
• Criminal allegations involving provider staff (6303.28)

Agency

DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) (certifies/licenses SUD and MH providers); Division of Incident Management and Investigations

How to report

DBH ERisk (required for all DBH-certified and licensed providers since April 1, 2023). Phone (202) 673-2292 business hours; Compliance Hotline (800) 345-5564 after hours. Email per Bulletin 130: mui.oa@dc.gov.

Also required

Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

22-A DCMR 6308.2 (report major unusual incidents per DBH policy), 6320.4 (rights-violation allegations), 6303.28 (criminal allegations against staff); DBH Policy 480.1A (TL-324, May 3, 2019); DBH Bulletin 130 (ERisk, Feb. 10, 2023)

Applies to

All DBH-certified and licensed providers, including SUD treatment and recovery providers (22-A DCMR ch. 63) and MH providers.

Sources: dbh.dc.gov, dbh.dc.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Florida

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours

Deadlines

• Rule: report within 24 hours of the incident occurring
• DCF IRAS page: within 1 business day (use the stricter 24-hour rule)

Reporting form

• DCF Incident Reporting and Analysis System (IRAS), login required

What the rules say you report

• Adult death (in services or within 30 days of discharge)
• Adolescent death
• Adolescent arrest
• Adolescent-on-adolescent sexual abuse
• Elopement
• Missing adolescent
• Employee arrest
• Employee misconduct
• Security incident (unintentional)
• Sexual abuse/sexual battery
• Significant injury to individuals in treatment
• Significant injury to staff
• Suicide attempt
• Other major events likely to affect safety or draw media attention

Agency

Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (licenses SUD providers under ch. 397, F.S.)

How to report

DCF Incident Reporting and Analysis System (IRAS), via DCF web portal after registration.

Also required

Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Fla. Admin. Code R. 65D-30.004(17) (Critical Incident Reporting); rule history: amended 5-10-23 and 10-16-25; CFOP 215-6

Applies to

All providers licensed under ch. 65D-30 (all licensed SUD components).

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, myflfamilies.com. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Georgia

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours

Deadlines

• Initial report to DBHDD within 24 hours
• If DBHDD requests an investigation: detailed investigative report within 7 days

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Client death
• Serious injury needing care beyond first aid
• Rape, assault or battery
• Abuse, neglect or exploitation
• External disaster or emergency affecting operations
• Injury beyond first aid from an emergency safety intervention
• Incident resulting in federal, state or private legal action (juvenile-justice legal action excluded)

Agency

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) (DATEP licensing transferred from DCH under HB 584, 2025 session)

How to report

In a form acceptable to the Department, which may specify an electronic platform; no specific DBHDD portal found.

Also required

Deaths by suicide, apparent drug overdose, or sudden death in apparent good health must be reported to the county coroner or medical examiner under O.C.G.A. 45-16-24. Report to law enforcement/prosecutor where O.C.G.A. 30-5-4 requires; child abuse per O.C.G.A. 19-7-5 with a copy to the Department. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Ga. Comp. R. and Regs. 82-10-1-.08 (Reporting Incidents to the Department), Rules for Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Programs

Applies to

Licensed DATEPs (residential, outpatient, residential sub-acute detox).

Sources: rules.sos.ga.gov, dbhdd.georgia.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Hawaii

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (verbal report to ADAD)

These deadlines come from ADAD’s Sentinel Event Reporting Form and guidelines. The OHCA Special Treatment Facility rule (HAR 11-98) has no outside reporting duty of its own, so if you are not sure ADAD’s guidelines cover your program, call the QAIO line at (808) 692-7518.

Deadlines

• Verbal report to the ADAD QAIO Supervisor within 24 hours
• Written Sentinel Event Reporting Form (SER-14-001) within 72 hours of the event

Reporting form

• ADAD Sentinel Event Reporting Form SER-14-001 (PDF)

What the rules say you report

• Sentinel event (ADAD): an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological harm, other crime, or the risk of it. Serious injury includes loss of limb or function
• ADAD categories: abuse of a client, death of a client, elopement with high risk of harm to self or others, homicide, sexual assault, suicide, self-inflicted potentially lethal injury, serious suicidal threat (with a plan or an act of harm), psychiatric hospitalization, refusal of life-preserving medical treatment, burglary of the facility or a client, and other serious events
• Injury, physical assault, and medication error or substance intoxication when they require an emergency department or hospital visit
• Special Treatment Facilities, internal records: written incident report of any bodily injury to a resident (11-98-04(c)); unauthorized absences and significant behavior changes (11-98-12)

Agency

Hawaii Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD), QAIO office. Special Treatment Facilities are licensed by the Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA).

How to report

Call the QAIO Supervisor at (808) 692-7518. Fax the form to (808) 692-7521, Attn: QAIO, or hand-deliver it to 601 Kamokila Blvd., Room 360, Kapolei, HI 96707. Staff witnesses involved complete the form.

Also required

Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

ADAD Sentinel Event Reporting Form SER-14-001 (rev. 11/6/23) and ADAD guidelines; Haw. Admin. R. ch. 11-98 (Special Treatment Facility), 11-98-04(c), 11-98-12

Applies to

Programs that report to ADAD under its guidelines, including residential, social detox, therapeutic living, outpatient, school-based, community-based and clean and sober living programs. OHCA-licensed Special Treatment Facilities also keep the internal records required by HAR 11-98.

Sources: health.hawaii.gov, health.hawaii.gov, regulations.justia.com. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Idaho

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours to adult protective services (vulnerable adults)

Idaho voided its SUD and adult mental health services rules on July 1, 2025 (S1024) and its hospital rules the same day (S1015), so any guide still citing IDAPA 16.07.17 is out of date. The 24 hour and 4 hour deadlines here come from the vulnerable adult statute, not from a licensing rule.

Deadlines

• Within 24 hours of acquiring the information: report to the designated adult protective services provider (39-5303)
• Within 4 hours of acquiring the information: a death or serious physical injury also goes to law enforcement (39-5303)
• Adult SUD and mental health programs: no licensing deadline, because no licensing rule exists

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Reasonable cause to believe a vulnerable adult is being or has been maltreated (Idaho Code 39-5303)
• Maltreatment that resulted in death or serious physical injury, which also goes to law enforcement (39-5303)

Agency

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW). In our reading Idaho has no state facility license for freestanding SUD or mental health programs, and DHW’s Bureau of Facility Standards licenses hospitals, psychiatric hospitals included.

How to report

Vulnerable adult reports go to the adult protective services provider designated under 39-5303, and a death or serious physical injury also goes to law enforcement. Idaho sets no state route for other incidents at adult SUD or mental health programs, so use your accreditor’s reporting process for those.

Also required

Failing to make a 39-5303 report is a misdemeanor. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

No incident reporting rule applies to adult SUD or mental health programs. S1024 (2025 Session Law ch. 178) voided IDAPA 16.07.17 and 16.07.33 on July 1, 2025, and Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 3 as amended contains no provider incident reporting duty. S1015 (ch. 122) voided the hospital rules the same day. The reporting duty that does apply is Idaho Code 39-5303 (vulnerable adults).

Applies to

Every adult SUD and mental health program, none of which holds a state license. A hospital, psychiatric hospitals included, holds its Idaho license on Medicare certification (39-1303(2)) and has had no state hospital rules since July 1, 2025, so in our reading its incident duties come from its federal certification and its accreditor rather than a state rule. 39-5303 reaches staff in every setting.

Sources: legislature.idaho.gov, legislature.idaho.gov, legislature.idaho.gov, legislature.idaho.gov, healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Illinois

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (verbal)

Deadlines

• Significant incident: verbal notice to DHS/SUPR (in person or phone) within 24 hours after occurrence
• Written report within 10 calendar days after occurrence
• Coroner’s report within 5 calendar days of receipt, or with the written report
• Other incidents: documented immediately, reported to supervisors, available at inspection

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Significant: occurrence requiring coroner services
• Renders facility inoperable
• Alleged sexual or physical abuse or assault of staff or client
• Alleged act requiring mandatory report to a professional licensing/credentialing body
• Sanction on a professional staff member’s license or certification
• Incidents (deviations likely to harm services): internal documentation only

Agency

Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (IDHS/DBHR), which took over the SUPR role on July 1, 2025 under Executive Order 2025-01. The rule text still says DHS/SUPR.

How to report

Verbally to IDHS/DBHR (the rule still names DHS/SUPR), then written report; no portal or form named.

Also required

Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060.385 (Incident and Significant Incident Reporting); Part 2060 repealed and new Part adopted at 49 Ill. Reg. 5290, eff. April 2, 2025

Applies to

All providers licensed under Part 2060 (SUD treatment and intervention).

Sources: ilga.gov, ilga.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Indiana

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 1 working day (residential); deaths 24 hours

Which DMHA instruction document applies depends on your credential (residential or block grant outpatient). The block grant outpatient document covers block grant providers certified by DMHA. The instructions for community mental health centers were not reviewed.

Deadlines

• Rule: report to DMHA within 1 working day
• DMHA instructions: death within 24 hours
• DMHA instructions: medication errors and seclusion/restraint within 1 working day
• Block grant outpatient (DMHA instructions): death within 24 hours
• Block grant outpatient: medication errors (as defined) and seclusion and restraint within 72 hours. The instructions state no deadline for the other categories. A late report must be flagged and explained in the portal

Reporting form

• DMHA Residential Critical Incident Reporting instructions (PDF, reports go through the DMHA Provider Portal)

What the rules say you report

• Fire requiring fire department response
• Emergency making residence uninhabitable
• Serious injury needing professional medical attention
• Suicide attempt
• Incident requiring police response
• Suspected/alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation
• Death of a resident or household member
• DMHA instructions add: medication error needing poison control/hospital/urgent care; seclusion/restraint (BPHC/AMHH consumers); optional ‘Other’ for media-attention events
• Block grant outpatient (DMHA instructions): death, serious bodily injury, suicide attempt on agency property and overdose on agency property for all outpatient consumers. For BPHC/AMHH consumers also medication errors needing poison control, hospital or urgent care or ending in death, seclusion and restraint, and abuse, neglect or exploitation. An optional ‘Other’ category is available

Agency

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Mental Health and Addiction (FSSA/DMHA)

How to report

Critical Incident Report through the DMHA Provider Portal (https://dmhaproviderportal.in.gov/DMHA/s/). Block grant outpatient reports use the same portal under the report type ‘Block Grant Outpatient’.

Also required

Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

440 IAC 7.5-2-4 (residential living facilities for individuals with psychiatric disorders or addictions; readopted 2023, 20230607-IR-440230142RFA); DMHA ‘Instructions and Definitions for Residential Critical Incident Reporting’ (Rev 1/25); 440 IAC 4.4-2-6 (addiction treatment certification; no incident deadline); DMHA ‘Instructions and Definitions for Block Grant Outpatient Critical Incident Reporting’ (Rev 1/25)

Applies to

DMHA-certified residential living settings under 440 IAC 7.5 (supervised group living, sub-acute stabilization, transitional residential, semi-independent living, alternative family for adults). 440 IAC 4.4 certified addiction treatment providers: written notice of health/fire/safety code violations and documented consumer-rights violations, no timeframe. Block grant outpatient providers certified by DMHA are covered by a separate DMHA instruction document.

Sources: www.in.gov, secure.in.gov, www.in.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Iowa

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Immediately (abuse allegations only)

Chapter 155 has no death or critical-incident report to HHS. Incident reports are kept in program records (155.21(14)).

Deadlines

• Abuse/neglect allegations: immediately to the program’s executive director and appropriate department personnel
• Staff sanction: written notice to the department within 10 days of learning of it

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Alleged mistreatment, neglect or abuse of children or dependent adults
• Staff person sanctioned or disciplined by a certifying/licensing body

Agency

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Behavioral Health (rules still filed under agency number 641, Public Health)

Also required

Staff complete Iowa mandatory reporter training (Iowa Code 232.69 and 235B.16) within six months of hire and every three years. Mental health providers accredited under 441 IAC ch. 24 notify the individual’s legal guardian within 72 hours of an incident (24.4(5)), and DIAL-licensed subacute mental health facilities report major-injury accidents, deaths and suicide attempts to DIAL within 24 hours or the next business day (481 IAC 71.8(3)). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Iowa Admin. Code 641-155.21(9) and 155.21(8)(f) (ch. 155 SUD and problem gambling treatment program licensure; IAC 6/10/26, latest amendments eff. 10/1/25, ARC 9499C)

Applies to

All SUD and problem gambling treatment programs licensed under 641-155.

Sources: www.legis.iowa.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Kansas

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (KDADS AIR protocol). The 2006 licensing standard allows 72 hours.

The 2006 licensing standard allows 72 hours, but the KDADS adverse incident protocol asks for an AIR entry within 24 hours of becoming aware, and the June 2025 training allows the next business day only for providers not open around the clock. Use 24 hours to be safe.

Deadlines

• R03-401: report by phone, fax, mail or hand delivery within 72 hours of the incident
• R03-401: written final disposition report within 30 calendar days of the incident
• AIR protocol: AIR entry within 24 hours of the provider becoming aware
• KDADS AIR training (June 2025): next business day, or within 24 hours for providers operating around the clock

Reporting form

• KDADS Adverse Incident Reporting (AIR) online form
• KDADS Adverse Incident Reporting page, with definitions and protocol

What the rules say you report

• R03-401: death involving a client currently receiving services, on the licensed premises
• R03-401: charges of abuse, neglect or exploitation of a client by staff or another client
• AIR protocol: abuse, chemical restraint, death, elopement, emergency medical care, exploitation, fiduciary abuse, law enforcement involvement, misuse of medications, natural disaster, neglect, physical restraint, seclusion, self-neglect, serious injury, suicide, suicide attempt

Agency

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), Behavioral Health Licensing

How to report

R03-401: phone, fax, mail or hand delivery to the state agency (named SRS, now KDADS). AIR: the KDADS web-based Adverse Incident Report tool, which needs no log-in.

Also required

Kansas mandated reporter laws also apply. Suspected child abuse or neglect must be reported promptly to DCF under K.S.A. 38-2223, and suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an adult under K.S.A. 39-1431, which names addiction counselors and the heads of providers licensed under K.S.A. 39-2001 et seq. KDADS says an AIR does not replace these reports.

Rule

‘Standards for Licensure/Certification of Alcohol and/or Other Drug Abuse Treatment Programs’ (SRS, Nov. 1, 2006), linked by KDADS as its current SUD Standards, Standard R03-401. KDADS Adverse Incidents Protocol for KDADS Licensed and/or Funded Providers, and the KDADS AIR for Providers training (June 2025).

Applies to

Licensed or certified alcohol and drug treatment programs (Standard R03-401). The KDADS adverse incident protocol covers providers licensed or funded by KDADS.

Sources: kdads.ks.gov, www.kdads.ks.gov, www.kdads.ks.gov, ksrevisor.gov, ksrevisor.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Kentucky

No state licensing deadline found.

Earliest state deadline: No state licensing deadline

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Internal incident file: accident/injury requiring hospitalization or resulting in death
• Internal incident file: fire, natural disaster or security threat substantially interrupting services
• Notice to administrator and a minor’s parent/guardian
• Report to CHFS only when KRS 620.030 or KRS 209.030 applies

The licensing rules we found require internal incident records or policies but no report to the state on a deadline. Suspected abuse or neglect still has to be reported under state law.

Agency

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID), Division of Program Integrity, for AODEs since April 5, 2023. BHSOs and psychiatric hospitals remain with the CHFS Office of Inspector General (OIG).

How to report

None to DBHDID under the licensing rule. Statutory reports go under KRS 620.030 / 209.030.

Also required

KRS 620.030: any person with reasonable cause must immediately report suspected child dependency, abuse or neglect (oral or written) to law enforcement, State Police, CHFS, Commonwealth’s attorney or county attorney. KRS 209.030: oral or written report immediately to CHFS on knowledge of suspected adult abuse, neglect or exploitation. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

908 KAR 1:370, Section 9 (AODE licensing, Crt eff. 7-1-2026). The amendment filed July 13, 2026 does not change Section 9, and 908 KAR 1:372 (residential) has no incident-reporting provision. 902 KAR 20:430 (BHSOs, Crt eff. 9-24-2026) has no incident-reporting duty.

Applies to

Licensed outpatient and residential alcohol and other drug treatment entities (AODEs).

Sources: apps.legislature.ky.gov, apps.legislature.ky.gov, www.chfs.ky.gov, apps.legislature.ky.gov, apps.legislature.ky.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Louisiana

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours

Deadlines

• Written report to HSS within 24 hours of discovery, on the HSS-approved form (no separate verbal step in rule)
• No follow-up/final report deadline in the licensing rule

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Disaster, emergency or unexpected event disrupting operations so services cannot be provided for more than 24 hours
• Death or serious injury of a client that may be related to program activities
• Death or serious injury of a client who was on-site at the provider’s premises or a resident of the facility at the time
• Allegations of client abuse, neglect and/or exploitation (5635 policies also cover misappropriation of client funds/property)

Agency

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Health Standards Section (HSS)

How to report

In writing to LDH Health Standards Section on the HSS-approved incident form. Submission channel (portal/email/fax) is not stated in the rule; confirm with HSS.

Also required

5635 requires policies for reporting abuse/mistreatment under state and federal law. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

LAC 48:I.5671.E (Behavioral Health Service Providers, Ch. 56); LAC 48:I.5635.B.4 (policies on reporting abuse, neglect, exploitation, misappropriation to HSS)

Applies to

All BHS providers licensed under LAC 48:I Ch. 56 (mental health and substance use outpatient, residential and OTP)

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, regulations.justia.com. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Maine

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 4 hours (Level 1, by phone)

Psychiatric hospitals are licensed under the hospital rules (10-144 CMR ch. 112), not Chapter 123, and report under Maine’s hospital sentinel event law (22 MRS ch. 1684), which since September 24, 2025 calls for notice within 3 business days and a written report within 45 days, and counts a patient suicide within 48 hours of care.

Deadlines

• Level 1: telephone notice to the Department within 4 hours
• Level 1 and Level 2: written notice within 24 hours
• Staff arrest/indictment: written notice within 24 hours of learning of it
• Rights violations and abuse/neglect/exploitation: immediately, via DLC electronic reporting system
• Fire/catastrophe: within a time reasonable for the Department to act (no hour count)

Reporting form

• DLC Reportable Incident Form for licensed providers (PDF)

What the rules say you report

• Level 1 critical incident: results in death or serious injury, or significantly jeopardizes clients, public safety or program integrity
• Level 2 critical incident: significant errors or undesirable events that compromise quality of care or client safety
• Arrest or indictment of organizational personnel for criminal activity alleged on the grounds or at any service location
• Fire, structural damage or other catastrophe making the facility unsafe, unusable or uninhabitable
• Employee’s reasonable belief that a client is likely to engage in physical violence posing serious risk of harm (policy must provide for immediate reporting)
• Alleged rights violations and alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation (immediately, to DLC via the electronic reporting system)
• Other adverse or potentially adverse events, including entry in any Department-mandated electronic system

Agency

Maine DHHS, Division of Licensing and Certification (DLC), Behavioral Health

How to report

Phone and written notice to the Department; rule points to the Department’s electronic reporting system. Critical Incident Reporting forms alleging abuse/neglect/exploitation of an adult client go to DLC and OBH. DLC Behavioral Health contact: BehavioralHealth.DLC@maine.gov, (207) 287-9300 option 2. DLC’s general ‘Report a Facility Incident’ page uses an AccessGov online form (or DLRS.Complaint@maine.gov / fax 207-287-9307); confirm with DLC that BH organizations use it.

Also required

Adult Protective Services under 22 MRS 3477 and Child Protective Services under 22 MRS 4011-A (referenced in Ch. 123 Section 6). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

10-144 CMR Ch. 123 (Behavioral Health Organizations Licensing Rule): Section 1 (definitions: critical incident, Level 1, Level 2), Section 12(B)(1)-(2) and 12(F) (reporting), Section 6(E)-(F) (rights violations; abuse, neglect, exploitation)

Applies to

DHHS-licensed behavioral health organizations (mental health, SUD, integrated; outpatient and residential)

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, www.law.cornell.edu. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Maryland

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 5 calendar days

A revised COMAR 10.63 was proposed in the August 21, 2026 Maryland Register (Notice of Proposed Action 26-079-P-I). Proposed COMAR 10.63.02.04A(2) would require critical incident reports within 3 business days of the organization’s knowledge and would widen the list of reportable events. As of the October 16, 2026 Register it was still pending, so the 5 calendar days in 10.63.01.05G applies.

Deadlines

• Report on the Department’s form within 5 calendar days after the program learns of the incident
• No verbal step or follow-up deadline in the current rule

Reporting form

• BHA Critical Incident Report Form, COMAR 10.63 (online)

What the rules say you report

• Death of a program participant
• Life-threatening injury to a participant (BHA includes non-fatal overdose)
• Non-consensual sexual activity (COMAR 10.01.18)
• Any sexual activity between staff and a participant
• Unexpected building evacuation threatening participants’ life, health or safety
• Diversion of medication from an OTP’s stock
• Injury related to an opioid medication dispensed by an OTP
• BHA alert (Aug 2023) also expects: disappearance/elopement of high-risk individuals, reportable infectious diseases, sentinel events reported to accreditors

Agency

Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration (BHA)

How to report

BHA COMAR 10.63 Critical Incident Report Form (secure Cognito form): https://www.cognitoforms.com/MDH3/BHACOMAR1063CriticalIncidentReportForm

Also required

Infectious diseases also to local health department (COMAR 10.06.01.03) per BHA. Sentinel events to accreditor and BHA. BHA alert warns of civil money penalties up to license action for failure to report. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

COMAR 10.63.01.05G (critical incident reports); COMAR 10.63.01.02 (critical incident definition)

Applies to

Community-based behavioral health programs licensed under COMAR 10.63 (SUD and mental health, including OTPs)

Sources: regs.maryland.gov, regs.maryland.gov, dsd.maryland.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Massachusetts

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Immediately

Deadlines

• Listed events: immediately, meaning as soon as the provider learns of the incident (BSAS guidance; no hour count)
• Other serious incidents: within 5 business days of the date of occurrence
• Legal proceedings: within 1 business day after initiation

Reporting form

• BSAS Health and Safety Required Notification Form (download)

What the rules say you report

• Death of any currently admitted person, wherever it occurs
• Full or partial evacuation
• Fire
• Suicide
• Alleged criminal acts by patients, residents, contractors or staff
• Pending or actual strike action
• Alleged abuse/neglect, physical or sexual assault, or prohibited interaction; any 51A, elder or disabled-person abuse report
• Any condition threatening patient health, safety or well-being
• Confirmed communicable disease cases (105 CMR 300.000)
• Elopement of Section 35 committed patients and of adolescent patients
• Other serious incidents per Department guidelines (immediate)
• Any other serious incident on premises seriously affecting health/safety or causing serious injury (5 business days)
• Civil action or criminal charge against the provider (1 business day)

Agency

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS)

How to report

BSAS Health and Safety Required Notification Reporting Form (updated Nov 2023), faxed to secure eFax 617-887-8787; include any internal investigation and note any police investigation.

Also required

51A child abuse reports to DCF, elder abuse (c. 19A s. 15), disabled persons (c. 19C) are referenced in the rule. DPH mental health clinics (105 CMR 140) and DMH-licensed facilities (104 CMR) have separate rules not covered. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

105 CMR 164.035(F) (death, serious incident, accident or fire); 164.035(A) (legal proceedings)

Applies to

DPH/BSAS licensed or approved SUD treatment programs

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, www.mass.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Michigan

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (MDHHS grantees, residential SUD sentinel events)

The 24 hour duty comes from an MDHHS document (last revised August 30, 2024) that applies to ‘Grantees’, a term it does not define, so if you receive MDHHS grant funding plan on it and confirm with your PIHP or MDHHS BHDDA. LARA licensing rules require internal incident records only.

Deadlines

• No state licensing deadline to report incidents to LARA
• Internal: death/discharge documented in client record within 14 days
• Statutory child abuse (MCL 722.623): oral report immediately to centralized intake, written within 72 hours
• Statutory vulnerable adult (MCL 400.11a): oral report immediately to county DHHS
• MDHHS grantees: sentinel events go to MDHHS by email within 24 hours of the event being determined to be a sentinel event, with further reporting in the MiCAL CRM

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• No events reportable to LARA under the SUD licensing rules
• Internal incident records required for all accidents, injuries and deaths
• MDHHS grantees, 24-hour specialized residential SUD treatment: a sentinel event, meaning a Patient Safety Event that reaches the patient and results in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm needing intervention to sustain life

Agency

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Community and Health Systems (BCHS), Substance Use Disorder Licensure; MDHHS Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration (BHDDA) also sets sentinel event reporting duties for its SUD grantees

How to report

None to LARA for incidents. Child abuse to MDHHS centralized intake (phone or online); adult abuse to county department of social services (APS). MDHHS grantees: email mdhhs-bhdda-contracts-mgmt@michigan.gov within 24 hours, then complete further reporting in the MiCAL CRM.

Also required

MCL 722.623 and MCL 400.11a as above (read). Recipient rights complaint process runs through program rights advisor, regional entity, then department. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Mich. Admin. Code R 325.1301 to 325.1399 (revised eff. June 3, 2026): R 325.1367 (incident records); R 325.1361 (death documented in record within 14 days); R 325.1351 (mandated-reporting training); MDHHS ‘Critical Incident, Event Notification, and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Sentinel Event Reporting Requirements’ (last revised August 30, 2024)

Applies to

LARA-licensed SUD programs (since June 3, 2026 the license categories are methadone, residential and residential withdrawal management). MDHHS grantees running 24-hour specialized residential SUD treatment settings are covered by the MDHHS sentinel event requirements. The document does not define ‘Grantees’.

Sources: www.michigan.gov, www.michigan.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Minnesota

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (Ombudsman)

Deadlines

• Ombudsman: within 24 hours after the death or serious injury
• 245I residential license holders: to DHS within 10 days of learning of the critical incident, on the commissioner’s form
• Maltreatment (626.557 / 260E): immediately, defined as as soon as possible but no longer than 24 hours
• OTP medication error: no deadline stated

Reporting form

• Ombudsman Death Report form (PDF)
• Ombudsman Serious Injury Report form (PDF)
• DHS IRTS and residential crisis stabilization Critical Incident form (PDF)

What the rules say you report

• Client death or serious injury (to Ombudsman)
• Suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult (626.557) or child (260E)
• 245I residential programs: critical incidents incl. suicide, attempted suicide, homicide, death, life-threatening injury or injury needing medical treatment, fire needing fire department, alleged maltreatment, assault of or by a client, any situation needing law enforcement/fire/ambulance response
• OTPs: medication error endangering a client’s health (to commissioner)

Agency

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Licensing Division; death/serious injury reports to the Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (OMHDD)

How to report

OMHDD online webform, fax 651-797-1950, or phone 651-757-1800 / 1-800-657-3506. 245I residential (IRTS, residential crisis stabilization): DHS form emailed to IRTS.CIR.DHS@state.mn.us. Vulnerable adult maltreatment to the common entry point (Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center).

Also required

Abuse prevention plans under 245A.65. OTP diversion crimes reported to law enforcement (245G.22 subd. 20). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Minn. Stat. 245.94 subd. 2a (Ombudsman); Minn. Stat. 245I.13 and 245I.02 subd. 13 (critical incidents, residential mental health licenses); Minn. Stat. ch. 245G (SUD, incorporating 245A.65, 626.557, ch. 260E); 245G.22 subd. 3 (OTP medication errors)

Applies to

245.94: programs serving mental illness, developmental disability or SUD that must be licensed/certified by the commissioner (includes 245G SUD programs). 245I.13: mental health license holders licensed as residential programs.

Sources: www.revisor.mn.gov, www.revisor.mn.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Mississippi

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 8 hours (deaths and abuse, verbal)

Deadlines

• 8-hour events: verbal notice to DMH within 8 hours of discovery or notification
• 8-hour events: written Incident Report within 24 hours
• All other listed incidents: report within 24 hours
• Follow-up through the DMH incident system within 7 calendar days for ER treatment, suicide attempts, serious injuries, restraint or seclusion, abuse, neglect or exploitation, suspicious deaths, elopement and medication errors (Rule 15.6)

Reporting form

• DMH bulletin designating Therap for incident reporting, IO0148 (PDF)
• DMH bulletin on Therap incident reporting and GER Resolutions, PR0156 (PDF)

What the rules say you report

• 8-hour: death on provider property, at a provider-sponsored event, or of a person served through certified community living, Crisis Residential or SUD residential treatment
• 8-hour: death during IDD services
• 8-hour: suspected or confirmed abuse, neglect or exploitation of a person served, by staff or by anyone else, on provider property, at sponsored events or in provider transport
• 24-hour: suicide attempt (on property, at events, in community living)
• 24-hour: elopement or unexplained absence of any length from a certified location
• 24-hour: injury on property, at events or in transport
• 24-hour: emergency hospitalization or treatment (an ER trip without treatment does not count)
• 24-hour: accident needing hospitalization that may be tied to abuse, neglect or exploitation or has an unknown cause
• 24-hour: disasters (fire, flood, tornado and similar) and mandatory evacuations
• 24-hour: improper seclusion or time-out in a Crisis Residential Unit causing injury
• 24-hour: confirmed medication errors
• 24-hour: any vehicle accident involving a person served, with or without injury
• Any use of physical, mechanical or chemical restraint, which Rule 15.4.B bans in every setting, and any seclusion or time-out outside Crisis Residential

Agency

Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH), Division of Certification, which certifies community MH, IDD and SUD providers. Incident questions go to the DMH Division of Utilization Review and Risk Management.

How to report

Therap’s General Event Report (GER) system, which DMH designated for certified providers in Provider Bulletin IO0148 (December 20, 2023). Follow-up is entered as a GER Resolution, with training required by October 31, 2024 under Bulletin PR0156. Questions: co-riskmgmt@dmh.ms.gov

Also required

Rule 15.2.B says reporting to DMH does not replace other legally mandated reports. Rule 15.7 requires the Mississippi Vulnerable Person Act reporting requirement to be posted prominently, and hospitals and skilled nursing facilities send a monthly death report to Vital Records (Rule 15.3.D). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

24 Miss. Code R. Part 2, Rule 15 (DMH Operational Standards, amended November 1, 2024): 15.3 (8-hour incidents), 15.4 (24-hour incidents and the restraint ban), 15.6 (7-day follow-up), 15.7 (Vulnerable Person Act posting).

Applies to

DMH-certified community providers of MH, IDD and SUD services, including SUD residential. DMH’s FAQ says providers may operate without DMH certification, and in our reading Rule 15 reaches only certified providers.

Sources: www.dmh.ms.gov, www.law.cornell.edu, www.law.cornell.edu, www.dmh.ms.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Missouri

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Immediately for abuse, written report within one business day

The event categories and the one-business-day deadline in the DBH instructions apply to consumers receiving DBH-funded services. The immediate abuse, neglect and misuse duty in 9 CSR 10-5.200 reaches every agency DMH licenses, certifies, accredits, deems or funds.

Deadlines

• Abuse, neglect, misuse of funds or property: immediately (9 CSR 10-5.200, EMT instructions)
• Written EMT report to the DBH determiner within one business day
• Immediate-notification events after 5 p.m. on weekdays, or on weekends or holidays: written report to DBH no later than the next business day on form MO 650-9475
• Parent or guardian of a minor or ward: as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours after the agency is notified (abuse, neglect or misuse events), by verbal, email or text notice as the guardian prefers

Reporting form

• DMH Event Report Form, behavioral health (PDF)
• Event Report Form instructions (PDF)

What the rules say you report

• Death of a consumer, including within 15 days after discharge
• Injury resulting in medical inpatient hospitalization (emergency room care alone is not reportable)
• Self-injurious behavior or suicide attempt
• Sexual assault
• Physical assault causing an injury that needs medical care beyond first aid
• Elopement or unauthorized absence of mental health consumers in congregate or semi-independent settings who have a guardian, were found not guilty by reason of insanity, or are at imminent risk (for SUD consumers, adolescents only)
• Moderate or serious medication error in residential settings or where medication is administered or observed
• Fire in a DBH-funded residential facility that causes structural damage
• Alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or misuse of funds or property

Agency

Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH), Division of Behavioral Health (DBH). Reports go to DBH Regional Community Operations staff for the region.

How to report

EMT Community Event Report form MO 650-9475, sent by encrypted email to the DBH Regional Community Operations contact for the region (adult or children’s). Abuse and neglect complaints also go in writing to the head of the agency and the department’s regional office.

Also required

Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

9 CSR 10-5.206 (Report of Events), amended eff. Sept. 30, 2022. 9 CSR 10-5.200 (abuse, neglect and misuse of funds or property reporting). DBH CIMOR EMT Event Report Form Instructions (review date 6/4/2026).

Applies to

Agencies that DMH licenses, certifies, accredits or deems certified, or that DMH funds or contracts with, running community residential, day, group home, outpatient or specialized services (SUD and mental health). The DBH event categories and the one-business-day deadline apply to consumers receiving DBH-funded services.

Sources: s1.sos.mo.gov, dmh.mo.gov, dmh.mo.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Montana

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (in writing)

This duty covers licensed substance use disorder facilities. We found no rule requiring a Montana mental health center (ARM 37.106 Subchapter 19) to report incidents to OIG. Centers keep an internal incident file and review incidents in quality assessment.

Deadlines

• Serious incidents: report in writing to the OIG Licensure Bureau within 24 hours
• Abuse, neglect or exploitation allegations: written report to OIG within 24 hours
• Staff: suspected child abuse to the administrator and the state hotline within 24 hours, and vulnerable adult abuse to the administrator or designee and Adult Protective Services within 24 hours

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Death
• Suicide attempt
• Known or suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a client
• Physical or sexual assault
• Use of physical force or restraints
• An event that causes or contributes to serious injury, illness or death, or poses a serious risk
• Serious physical plant damage
• Severe weather substantially threatening operations or client safety
• Bomb threat
• Alleged unlawful conduct or criminal activity

Agency

Montana DPHHS, Office of Inspector General (OIG), Licensure Bureau

How to report

A written report to the OIG Licensure Bureau. The report must include the date and time, every client and staff member involved, and a description of the incident and circumstances, and a copy stays at the facility. The rule names no phone line, form or portal. The Licensure Bureau’s general number in OIG letters is 406-444-2676, which is not described as an incident line.

Also required

Child abuse hotline (866) 820-5437, and Adult Protective Services or other bodies as required by MCA 52-3-811 (37.106.1427). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

ARM 37.106.1426 (serious incident reporting), 37.106.1427 (abuse and neglect), 37.106.1413(34) (serious incident definition). Substance use disorder facility rules eff. 9/24/2022.

Applies to

Licensed substance use disorder facilities (residential, inpatient and outpatient levels) under ARM 37.106 Subchapter 14

Sources: dphhs.mt.gov, rules.mt.gov, rules.mt.gov, rules.mt.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Nebraska

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours

The 24-hour duty sits in the general chapter, 175 NAC 1, not in the treatment center chapter, 175 NAC 18, so a policy manual built only from 175 NAC 18 will leave it out.

Deadlines

• 24 hours: notice to DHHS for each of the first five events, electronically, in writing or by fax, including the steps taken to keep clients safe (175 NAC 1-005.01(G))
• Vulnerable adult abuse (28-372): report to law enforcement or DHHS, by phone if needed, with a written report within 48 hours if DHHS asks for one
• Child abuse (28-711): oral report to law enforcement or the DHHS hotline, followed by a written report (the statute sets no hour deadline for the reporter)
• Administrator vacancy and its filling: written notice to DHHS within 5 working days (175 NAC 18-006.01(F) and (G))

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Reason to believe abuse, neglect or exploitation of a client has occurred
• A client death at the facility due to suicide, a violent act, drowning, or the use of restraint or seclusion
• A client who needs supervision leaving without staff knowledge
• A fire
• A natural disaster or accident that damages the building and directly affects a client
• Suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation must also be reported under the adult and child protection statutes and investigated by the facility (175 NAC 18-006.02(E) and (F))
• Medication errors: reported in writing to the client’s medical practitioner in a timely manner upon discovery (not to DHHS)

Agency

Nebraska DHHS, Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit. Treatment centers are handled by its Office of Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health Facilities.

How to report

Notify the DHHS Licensure Unit electronically, in writing or by fax. The unit’s treatment center contacts are dhhs.ddbhfacilities@nebraska.gov and fax (402) 742-2326, though the rule says only the Department, so confirm the inbox with DHHS. Abuse reports also go to law enforcement or the DHHS hotline under 28-372 and 28-711.

Also required

28-372 names owners, operators and employees of DHHS-licensed facilities and mental health professionals as mandated reporters, and failing to file those reports is a ground for license discipline (71-448). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

175 NAC 1-005.01(G), in the General Facility and Services Regulations (175 NAC 1, effective January 20, 2025), which apply to every facility licensed under Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-401 to 71-479. 175 NAC 18, Mental Health Substance Use Facilities (effective March 20, 2024): 006.01(F) and (G) for an administrator vacancy, 006.02(E) and (F) for abuse procedures and investigation, 006.10(F) for medication errors. Statutes: Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-372 (vulnerable adults) and 28-711 (children, amended by Laws 2025, LB298).

Applies to

Mental Health Substance Use Treatment Centers (residential MH and SUD) licensed under 175 NAC 1 and 18.

Sources: dhhs.ne.gov, nebraskalegislature.gov, nebraskalegislature.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Nevada

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 1 business day

NAC 458.272 reads broadly enough to cover client problems and rule infractions. Treat deaths and imminent-danger events as the core 1-business-day duty and confirm the rest with DPBH. The SAPTA Policy Manual duty for funded programs could not be confirmed as still in force, because the agency pages that listed it now return errors. Confirm with DPBH SAPTA and ask for the current form.

Deadlines

• Notify the Division within 1 business day after the occurrence (NAC 458.153(3)(e)); rule does not specify verbal vs written
• NAC 458.272(1)(j) items: reported within 1 business day after the event
• Other agency reports requiring corrective action: to the Division within 30 days of receipt

Reporting form

• DPBH Critical Incident Form (online, via DPBH page)

What the rules say you report

• Any known death of a client
• Any incident that may cause imminent danger to the health or safety of clients, participants, staff or visitors
• Per NAC 458.272(1)(j), documented in the client record and reported to the Division within 1 business day: an incident that may cause imminent danger to health or safety; a problem involving the client; an infraction of program rules by the client; a sign or symptom of illness or injury of the client; and the death of the client
• Reports from other government/certifying agencies requiring corrective action

Agency

Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH): certification of SUD treatment programs under NAC 458; facility licensure under NRS/NAC 449 is handled separately by the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance (HCQC)

How to report

To DPBH (behavioral health certification). Method (email/portal/form) not stated in the rule; confirm with DPBH.

Also required

Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply. The SAPTA Policy Manual (Chapter I, Section 110) says critical incidents at SAPTA-funded programs are reported immediately to the Agency Director or designee on a Critical Incident Reporting Form. The copy we found is marked ‘Revised 2011’.

Rule

NAC 458.153(3)(e) and (j); NAC 458.272(1)(j) (as amended by R117-22, eff. 3-2-2023)

Applies to

SUD treatment programs certified by DPBH under NAC 458

Sources: www.leg.state.nv.us, dpbh.nv.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

New Hampshire

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (DHHS Sentinel Event policy, DHHS-funded providers); 48 hours (licensing, He-P 826.14(x))

The 24 and 72 hour sentinel event duty comes from a DHHS policy (PO.1003, revised September 30, 2022), not from the licensing rule, and applies to community providers ‘guided by Administrative Rule, Contracts, or Waivers’. We found no contract clause that adopts it, so confirm with your DHHS program contact whether it applies to your facility.

Deadlines

• Reportable incident: submit the report to the department by fax or email within 48 hours (He-P 826.14(x)(2))
• Written report within 5 days describing the actions taken, the final outcome and steps to prevent a repeat, if not in the initial report (He-P 826.14(x)(4))
• Unexplained absence of dangerous client: notify local police, the department and guardian/representative after searching the premises
• Restraint: notice to the practitioner, the department and the guardian within 24 hours after use (He-P 826.14(t))
• DHHS Sentinel Event policy: notify DHHS within 24 hours of discovery, then the written Sentinel Event Report Form within 72 hours of the event

Reporting form

• DHHS Incident Report Form: Parts A and B for the 48-hour report, Part C for 5-day and final reports (PDF, fax to 603-271-5574)
• Health Facilities Administration: Facility Reported Incidents

What the rules say you report

• Unanticipated death of a client
• Client injury of a suspicious nature suggesting abuse or neglect, unobserved or unexplained by the client
• Unexplained absence of a client determined to be a danger to self or others
• (All while client is in the SUD-RTF or in the care of its personnel)
• Medication error requiring medical intervention, and drug diversion (He-P 826.03)
• DHHS Sentinel Event policy: sudden or accidental death, homicide, suicide, a non-fatal suicide attempt needing medical intervention, rape or sexual assault, serious physical or psychological injury, injuries from restraints, permanent loss of function not due to illness, and high-profile events such as media coverage or an arrest, for people who received DHHS-funded services in the preceding 30 days

Agency

New Hampshire DHHS, Health Facilities Licensing Unit (HFLU)

How to report

Licensing reports: fax (603) 314-8199 or email hfa-licensing@dhhs.nh.gov with the information listed in He-P 826.14(x)(2). Sentinel events: initial notice by direct phone contact, confidential voice mail or encrypted email to the DHHS program area contact, then the Sentinel Event Report Form.

Also required

All sudden and unexpected natural deaths and all non-natural deaths, including suicide and drug overdose, are reported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner through the county dispatcher (RSA 611-B:11). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

He-P 826.03 (reportable incident definition); He-P 826.14(x) (reporting) and 826.14(t) (restraint notice), He-P 826 readopted eff. 3-31-26 (#14548); NH DHHS Sentinel Event Reporting and Review policy PO.1003 (revised 9/30/2022)

Applies to

Substance Use Disorder Residential Treatment Facilities licensed under He-P 826. The DHHS Sentinel Event policy covers DHHS-funded community providers, including substance use disorder service providers, Doorways and opioid treatment programs, that are ‘guided by Administrative Rule, Contracts, or Waivers’.

Sources: www.doj.nh.gov, gc.nh.gov, www.dhhs.nh.gov, dhhs.nh.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

New Jersey

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Immediately

N.J.A.C. 10:161B was repealed on April 6, 2026, and outpatient programs now fall under 8:43K. Confirm the current reporting contact with DOH and DMHAS before your first report.

Deadlines

• Residential (8:111-3.8): immediately by phone and fax to DOH
• Residential: written report no later than 5 business days after the event
• Outpatient and integrated care (8:43K): follow the 8:43K reportable-event requirements and confirm the method and deadline with DOH CNL
• A.O. 2:05 (DMHAS): Level A written report by end of business day; Level B within 1 business day; follow-up within 30 days
• Key staff departures: written notice within 7 days

Reporting form

• DMHAS Initial Incident Report Form (Word)
• DMHAS Follow-Up Incident Report Form (Word)
• DMHAS Incident Reporting page

What the rules say you report

• Fire, flood, disaster or accident causing serious injury or death, evacuation or closure
• All client deaths, including suspected medication-misuse deaths
• Communicable disease outbreak affecting multiple people
• Alleged or suspected crimes endangering life, safety or fiscal stability
• Staff discipline/termination for inappropriate interaction with clients
• Criminal convictions or licensing sanctions against staff, board or governing authority representatives

Agency

New Jersey Department of Health (DOH), Division of Certificate of Need and Licensing (CNL), licenses the facilities. DHS Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) receives incident reports under DHS Administrative Order 2:05.

How to report

Residential (8:111-3.8): phone (609) 530-7473 and fax (609) 530-4850. DMHAS incident reports (A.O. 2:05): dmhas.incidentrept@dhs.nj.gov and fax (609) 341-2324, per DMHAS provider training dated January 2026.

Also required

Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Residential: N.J.A.C. 8:111-3.8 (recodified from 10:161A-3.8, eff. 12/20/2021). Outpatient: N.J.A.C. 8:43K (Manual of Standards for Licensure of Outpatient and Integrated Care Facilities, eff. April 6, 2026), which repealed 10:161B. DHS Administrative Order 2:05 (DMHAS incident reporting).

Applies to

Licensed residential SUD facilities (N.J.A.C. 8:111) and outpatient and integrated care facilities licensed under N.J.A.C. 8:43K (since April 6, 2026, replacing 10:161B).

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, www.nj.gov, www.nj.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

New Mexico

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Immediately to APS for abuse, 24 hours to DHI

The 8.370.9 scope list does not name adult accredited residential treatment centers, crisis triage centers or community mental health centers. Crisis triage centers reach it by cross-reference and community mental health centers through DHI policy, and we found no incident section at all in the residential center rule, so confirm the reporting route for a residential center with DHI.

Deadlines

• Abuse, neglect or exploitation: immediately to Adult Protective Services (8.370.9.8.A)
• Abuse, neglect, exploitation, injuries of unknown origin and other reportable incidents, unexpected death included: to DHI within 24 hours, or the next business day when the incident falls on a weekend or holiday (8.370.9.8)
• Facility investigation and the actions taken: reported to DHI within five days of discovering the incident (8.370.9.10.C)
• Crisis triage center quality committee: reviews critical incidents within 24 hours (internal, 8.321.11)

Reporting form

• IROnline incident reporting system

What the rules say you report

• Abuse, neglect or exploitation, and injuries of unknown origin (8.370.9)
• Other reportable incidents under 8.370.9, including unexpected death, falls that cause injury, elopement, a medication error that causes or is likely to cause harm, and failure to follow a doctor’s order
• Crisis triage centers: serious incidents or unusual occurrences that threatened or could have threatened client health, safety and welfare (8.321.11.20)
• Crisis triage centers: fires, floods, disasters and life safety hazards
• Crisis triage centers: outbreaks of contagious disease
• Crisis triage centers: staff errors that may or did cause death, serious illness, hospitalization or physical impairment of a client or staff
• Community mental health centers: incidents as DHI policy defines them (the rule itself has no list)

Agency

New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA), Division of Health Improvement (DHI), Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau. DHI moved from the Department of Health to HCA on July 1, 2024.

How to report

DHI’s toll free hotline, 1-800-752-8649, or the division’s incident report form (8.370.9.8.B). HCA’s licensing page also links an online Health Facility Reporting System.

Also required

Failing to follow 8.370.9 can bring sanctions up to a civil monetary penalty of $5,000 per instance (8.370.9.11.B). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

8.370.9 NMAC (incident reporting), amended effective September 1, 2026 in sections 1, 2 and 7 (wording and definitions only, the section 8 reporting duties are unchanged). It applies directly to licensed hospitals, special hospitals included. 8.321.11.20 NMAC brings crisis triage centers under 8.370.9 by cross-reference, 8.321.6.22 NMAC has community mental health centers report under DHI policies, and 8.321.13 NMAC (adult accredited residential treatment centers, effective May 19, 2026) has no incident section.

Applies to

Licensed psychiatric and alcohol and drug special hospitals, which 8.370.9 names directly, plus crisis triage centers and community mental health centers. We found no incident provision in the adult accredited residential treatment center rule (8.321.13 NMAC).

Sources: www.srca.nm.gov, prod-rf-lambda.rtssaas.com, www.srca.nm.gov, www.srca.nm.gov, prod-rf-lambda.rtssaas.com. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

New York

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Immediately

Mental health programs licensed by OMH follow Part 524, which sets different steps.

Deadlines

• Immediately on discovery: call VPCR hotline or initiate written report (up to 24-hour delay only in narrow documented credibility cases)
• Inpatient/residential deaths: immediate notice to VPCR and Justice Center Mortality Review Unit (plus coroner/ME as required)
• Qualified person: phone/secure electronic notice immediately; written report of actions within 10 days
• Delegated investigations: final report to Justice Center within 50 days (abuse/neglect) or 60 days (significant incidents)
• Records release to qualified person within 21 days of investigation conclusion

Reporting form

• Justice Center VPCR online incident report
• Justice Center Report of Death, Form JC-2
• OMH NIMRS reporting system (OMH-licensed programs)

What the rules say you report

• Abuse or neglect by a custodian (physical, sexual, psychological, deliberate inappropriate restraint, aversive conditioning, obstruction of reports, unlawful controlled substance use, neglect)
• Significant incidents (e.g., client-to-client conduct that would be abuse if by staff, unauthorized seclusion, medication errors, inappropriate restraint, crimes, missing clients, suicide attempts)
• Death of a custodian on duty
• Outpatient client death on premises or during program activities
• Inpatient/residential client death under any circumstances or within 30 days of discharge

Agency

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS); reports to the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs via the Vulnerable Persons’ Central Register (VPCR). Mental health programs: Office of Mental Health (OMH), 14 NYCRR Part 524.

How to report

Justice Center VPCR toll-free hotline (or web report) for OASAS certified/licensed/operated programs.

Also required

OMH-licensed MH programs (Part 524): reportable incidents to OMH within 24 hours of discovery; death reports to Justice Center and OMH within 5 business days; final reports within 45 calendar days. Coroner/ME for deaths. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

14 NYCRR Part 836 (eff. 10/1/2022): 836.4, 836.6, 836.8, 836.9. OMH: 14 NYCRR Part 524 (rev. 10/29/2025).

Applies to

OASAS certified, licensed, funded or operated programs (inpatient, residential, outpatient, OTP).

Sources: oasas.ny.gov, omh.ny.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

North Carolina

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Immediately (Level III); written within 72 hours

Deadlines

• Level II (during billable services or on premises), Level II deaths and Level III: report to the LME/MCO within 72 hours of becoming aware
• Level III: immediately notify the LME/MCO (.0603(c)(3)); copy of report to DMH/DD/SAS within 72 hours
• Category A Level III deaths: also to DHSR within 72 hours
• Death within 7 days of seclusion/restraint: report immediately (and to the Secretary immediately under G.S. 122C-31)
• Deaths from violence, accident, suicide or homicide: notify the Secretary within 3 days (G.S. 122C-31)
• Updated report by end of next business day when new/corrected information is obtained
• Level III internal review: team within 24 hours; preliminary findings within 5 working days; final report within 3 months
• Quarterly summary report to the LME/MCO

Reporting form

• NC IRIS online incident reporting

What the rules say you report

• Level II: client death from natural causes or terminal illness; incidents threatening client health/safety or others’ safety due to client behavior (not Level III)
• Level III: client death, sexual assault or permanent physical/psychological impairment, or substantial risk of these; same caused by a client; client-caused threat to anyone’s safety
• Death within 7 days of seclusion or restraint
• Deaths from violence, accident, suicide or homicide (G.S. 122C-31)
• Level I: internal documentation only (quarterly totals)

Agency

NC DHHS, Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR), Mental Health Licensure and Certification Section. Level II and III reports go to the local management entity (LME/MCO) through NC-IRIS.

How to report

NC-IRIS (Incident Response Improvement System) web system, iris.dhhs.state.nc.us, for Level II and III.

Also required

Law enforcement as applicable. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

10A NCAC 27G .0602 (level definitions), .0603 (incident response), .0604 (reporting), amended eff. 8/1/2009, readopted 7/20/2019; G.S. 122C-31 (death reporting)

Applies to

Category A (facilities licensed under G.S. 122C Art. 2, excluding hospitals: 24-hour residential services and day services of 3 or more hours a day under G.S. 122C-3(14)b; standard outpatient therapy below that threshold is not a licensable facility) and Category B (unlicensed community providers of public services) providers

Sources: reports.oah.state.nc.us, reports.oah.state.nc.us. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

North Dakota

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (opioid treatment programs only)

HHS is rewriting Article 75-09.1, and its draft would add reporting of residential deaths to the Division within 24 hours. That draft is not in effect. HHS now gives July 1, 2027 as the anticipated effective date, pending formal rulemaking. Until then, general SUD programs have no state reporting deadline under the licensing rules.

Deadlines

• General SUD programs: no state licensing deadline
• OTPs: report critical incidents to the division and to the accrediting body within 24 hours
• Suspected child abuse or neglect (N.D.C.C. 50-25.1-04): report immediately, orally or in writing, with a written report within 48 hours if requested
• Suspected vulnerable adult abuse (N.D.C.C. 50-25.2-03): report orally or in writing as soon as possible to HHS (or its designee) or law enforcement

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• General SUD programs: a written plan for reporting all incidents, including serious illnesses, injuries and alleged abuse or neglect. The rule names no recipient and no deadline, and it doesn’t mention deaths.
• OTPs: critical incidents, meaning events that could negatively affect a patient, the patient’s family, the program or staff, including loss of life or function, serious physical or psychological injury and medication errors

Agency

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Behavioral Health Division (BHD), which licenses SUD treatment programs

How to report

OTPs report to the HHS Behavioral Health Division, and the rule doesn’t say how. Abuse reports go to HHS (or its designee) or to law enforcement.

Also required

Mandated child abuse reporters under 50-25.1-03 include tier 1, 2 and 3 mental health professionals and licensed social workers, among others. Licensed addiction counselors have been tier 2b mental health professionals since SB 2079 (2025), so in our reading they are on that list. 50-25.2-03 covers medical or mental health professionals or personnel and caregivers. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

N.D. Admin. Code 75-09.1-01-10(5) (general SUD programs). 75-09.1-10-01(7) and 75-09.1-10-12(3)(a) (opioid treatment programs, eff. April 1, 2014).

Applies to

Programs licensed under NDAC Article 75-09.1 (SUD treatment programs). The 24-hour rule applies only to licensed opioid treatment programs.

Sources: ndlegis.gov, ndlegis.gov, ndlegis.gov, www.hhs.nd.gov, ndlegis.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Ohio

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays)

Deadlines

• Internal: staff written report to executive director/designee within 24 hours of discovery
• Reportable incidents: to the department and board of residence within 24 hours after discovery, excluding weekends and holidays
• Six-month data: due July 31 (Jan-Jun) and January 31 (Jul-Dec)
• Licensed residential facilities (5122-30-16): within 24 hours of discovery, excluding weekends/holidays, to department, boards, service provider and guardian as applicable

Reporting form

• WEIRS online incident reporting (instructions)

What the rules say you report

• Client death (natural, suicide, homicide, accidental, seclusion/restraint-related)
• Suicide attempt needing any medical intervention
• Alleged accidental overdose, survived
• Physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect of client by staff; defraud by staff
• Involuntary termination without appropriate client involvement
• Sexual assault or physical assault by non-staff
• Unauthorized drug/medication possession; missing/unaccounted-for medication
• Medication error; adverse drug reaction
• Medical events impacting operations; temporary closure of one or more sites
• Inappropriate seclusion/restraint, use without prior notification, inappropriate techniques/force, seclusion/restraint injury
• Residential and SUD residential/withdrawal management (and youth QRTP): medication diversion; unauthorized OTC medication; absence without approval of clients age 22 or younger (youth settings)
• OTPs: staff call for EMS; medication diversion
• Six-month data only: injuries/illness needing emergency care or hospitalization; seclusion; mechanical/physical restraint; transitional holds; restraint-related staff injury

Agency

Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (formerly Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services; renamed by HB 96, see R.C. 5119.01, eff. 9/30/2025); reports also to the ADAMH board of residence

How to report

Through the department’s online incident reporting system, with deidentified client information (HIPAA 45 CFR 164.514(b)(2)). No separate phone notice in the rule.

Also required

Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Ohio Adm. Code 5122-26-13 and Appendix A (eff. 8/1/2026); OAC 5122-30-16 (licensed residential facilities, eff. 1/1/2018)

Applies to

Providers certified by the department for MH and/or SUD services under OAC 5122-26, regardless of accreditation status; residential facilities licensed under OAC 5122-30

Sources: codes.ohio.gov, codes.ohio.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Oklahoma

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (sentinel events)

Deadlines

• Sentinel events and consumer abuse allegations: to ODMHSAS immediately, not to exceed 24 hours of the incident
• Other critical incidents (medical care, hospitalization, off-site medical attention): within 72 hours of the incident
• CMHCs only (450:17-15-5): root cause analysis within 30 days of a sentinel event, copy to ODMHSAS

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Sentinel events: an unexpected occurrence involving the death or serious physical or psychological injury of a consumer, or the risk of it, such as suicide, homicide, assault or an adverse drug event causing serious harm. The definition reaches deaths within 72 hours of discharge from inpatient and residential settings
• Allegations of consumer abuse
• Critical incidents requiring medical care by a physician or nurse, or follow-up attention
• Incidents requiring hospitalization or immediate off-site medical attention
• ODMHSAS guidance categories: adverse drug events, self-destructive behavior, deaths and injuries to consumers, staff and visitors, medication errors, residential AWOL, neglect or abuse, fire, unauthorized disclosure, property damage or theft, events potentially subject to litigation
• ODMHSAS guidance: outpatient programs report suicide and unintentional overdose deaths of active consumers, and residential, crisis and inpatient programs report those deaths within 72 hours after discharge

Agency

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), Provider Certification (ODMHSAS certifies rather than licenses most behavioral health programs)

How to report

In the form and manner ODMHSAS prescribes, by fax to 405-248-9325, a number ODMHSAS reserves for critical incidents. Its critical incident guidance notes that the 72-hour window for incidents other than sentinel events took effect Sept. 15, 2022. The report must include facility name, parties, date, time and location, description, injury severity, resolution and administrator signature.

Also required

Suspected child abuse or neglect must be reported immediately to DHS under 10A O.S. 1-2-101, and suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult as soon as the person is aware of it under 43A O.S. 10-104, to DHS or law enforcement among the listed recipients.

Rule

Okla. Admin. Code 450:1-9-5.6(f) (critical incidents, applies to all entities subject to ODMHSAS certification per 450:1-9-1). Sentinel event definition: 450:1-1-1.1. CMHCs also: 450:17-15-5 (30-day root cause analysis for sentinel events).

Applies to

All facilities and programs certified by ODMHSAS under OAC Title 450 (outpatient, residential, crisis, inpatient), including SUD programs under Chapter 18, which has no separate incident section.

Sources: oklahoma.gov, oklahoma.gov, oklahoma.gov, oklahoma.gov, www.oscn.net, www.oscn.net. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Oregon

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 48 hours (mental health residential)

The 48-hour rule covers mental health residential treatment homes and facilities licensed under OAR 309-035 and comes from a temporary order that runs through November 25, 2026. OHA has said it is aiming for permanent rule changes, so recheck the rule text after that date. The SUD licensing rules require an internal reporting policy only, so SUD programs should confirm any reporting expectation with OHA Licensing and Certification.

Deadlines

• Mental health residential treatment homes and facilities: critical incident report to the Division and the CMHP within 48 hours of the incident occurring (OAR 309-035-0125(7))
• Mental health residential: all incident reports to the CMHP within 48 hours of the incident occurring (OAR 309-035-0125(8))
• SUD residential and outpatient programs: no state licensing deadline found
• Statutory abuse report (ORS 430.743): oral report immediately to ODHS (or its designee) or a law enforcement agency in the county

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Mental health residential treatment homes and facilities: critical incidents, defined as any incident that caused harm or created a potential risk of harm to a resident, including abuse, neglect or exploitation, misuse or unauthorized use of restraints or seclusion, a medication error resulting in poison control or medical consultation, an emergency or urgent care visit, hospitalization or death, suspected overdose, serious physical harm, contact with law enforcement or emergency services, and death (OAR 309-035-0105(21))
• Mental health residential: every incident report, critical or not, also goes to the county community mental health program (CMHP)
• Mental health residential: every use of seclusion or restraint reported to the Division
• SUD residential and outpatient licensing rules: a written incident and critical incident reporting policy and incident records only
• Statutory: suspected abuse of an adult receiving SUD or mental illness services in a facility, or an adult with SPMI in a community program (ORS 430.735 and 430.765)

Agency

Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Behavioral Health Division, Licensing and Certification (certifies outpatient behavioral health programs under OAR 309-008, licenses SUD residential and withdrawal management programs under OAR 415-012, and licenses mental health residential treatment homes and facilities under OAR 309-035)

How to report

Mental health residential: critical incident reports to the OHA Division and the local CMHP, and all other incident reports to the CMHP. The temporary rule names no form. Abuse: oral report by telephone or otherwise to ODHS, its designee, or local law enforcement (ORS 430.743). OTIS investigates SUD residential abuse allegations (OAR 407-045-1000 and following).

Also required

OAR 407-045-0180: community mental health programs (CMHPs, not the facility) notify OTIS within one business day of learning of the death of an adult with SPMI receiving mental health treatment. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

OAR 309-035-0125(7) and (8) and 309-035-0105(21), as amended by temporary order BHS 13-2026 (effective June 1 through November 25, 2026), for mental health residential treatment homes and facilities. No incident-reporting deadline in OAR 309-008, 309-018, 309-019 or 415-012 for SUD programs. Related: OAR 309-018-0110(3)(l) (written policy on incident and critical incident reporting), 309-035-0205(3) (mental health residential seclusion and restraint reported to the Division). Abuse: ORS 430.735, 430.743 and 430.765, OAR 407-045-1000 to -1110 (OTIS investigations for adult SUD residential).

Applies to

OHA-certified/licensed SUD residential and outpatient programs and MH residential treatment facilities/homes.

Sources: www.oregon.gov, www.law.cornell.edu, oregon.public.law. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Pennsylvania

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 3 business days (48 hours for NTPs)

Deadlines

• Freestanding facilities (709.34): written report to DDAP within 3 business days
• Recovery houses (717.31): within 3 business days (per Licensing Alert 01-2024)
• NTPs (715.28): written report within 48 hours
• No separate verbal notice step specified

Reporting form

• DDAP Event Reporting System (facility login)
• DDAP: Report an Unusual Incident

What the rules say you report

• Physical or sexual assault by staff or a client
• Death or serious injury due to trauma, suicide, medication error or unusual circumstances
• Significant service disruption from disaster (fire, flood, storm) lasting more than 1 day
• Event requiring police, fire or ambulance presence
• Contagious disease outbreak requiring CDC notification
• NTPs (715.28): patient abuse complaints; death/serious injury; disaster disruption; incidents with potential for negative community reaction; drug-related hospitalization
• Policy-only (not reportable under 709.34): illicit drug sale/use on premises, theft/burglary, fire or structural damage

Agency

Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), Division of Program Licensure

How to report

DDAP Electronic Reporting System (ERS): https://sais.health.pa.gov/Incidents/facilitylogin.asp?type=ddap ; questions RA-DAAPI_DIVISION@pa.gov; ERS technical issues RA-licensuredivision@pa.gov

Also required

Child Protective Services Law and Older Adults Protective Services Act duties apply separately. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

28 Pa. Code 709.34 (freestanding treatment facilities); 28 Pa. Code 715.28 (narcotic treatment programs); 28 Pa. Code 717.31 (drug and alcohol recovery houses); DDAP Licensing Alert 01-2024 (Feb 5, 2024)

Applies to

DDAP-licensed freestanding drug and alcohol treatment facilities (inpatient and outpatient), NTPs/OTPs, and licensed recovery houses.

Sources: regulations.justia.com, regulations.justia.com. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Rhode Island

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (phone to BHDDH Quality Assurance), immediately for assault or battery

The 24-hour duty comes from BHDDH’s general licensing rule, which applies to licensed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations. Psychiatric hospitals are licensed by RIDOH, not BHDDH: they report reportable events to RIDOH within 24 hours and reportable incidents, including a patient suicide during treatment or within 5 days of discharge, in writing within 72 hours (216-RICR-40-10-4.6.17).

Deadlines

• Phone report to the BHDDH Office of Quality Assurance within 24 hours (§1.20.1(A))
• Assault or battery: report immediately (§1.20.1(B))
• Written report within 24 hours or by the end of the next business day (§1.20.1(D), R.I. Gen. Laws § 40.1-27-2(a))
• Restraint and medication adverse events: no separate timeframe stated in the BHO regulation

Reporting form

• BHDDH Report Abuse and Serious Incidents page (24-hour QA line 401-462-2629, provider flyers)

What the rules say you report

• Verbal, mental, sexual or physical abuse, neglect, mistreatment (including inappropriate use of medications or restraint) and financial exploitation (§1.20.1(A))
• Injury of unknown source, a death possibly caused by abuse or neglect, and misappropriation of client property (§1.20.1(A))
• Assault or battery, reported immediately (§1.20.1(B))
• Every use of restraint, reported as an adverse event to the Office of Quality Assurance (212-RICR-10-10-1 §1.5.5(E))
• Any adverse event involving medications (§1.6.8(M)). Theft, loss, spillage or administration error also to the administrator, RI Board of Pharmacy and DEA as applicable

Agency

Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), Quality Management Unit. The Office of Licensure and Standards licenses BHOs, and the Office of Quality Assurance takes incident reports.

How to report

Call the BHDDH Office of Quality Assurance 24-hour line at (401) 462-2629 (fax 401-462-0393), right away for assault or battery, then send the written report. The report must include the staff member’s name and contact details, the client’s name and address, what happened and what was observed, the client’s statements, date, time and place, witnesses, and who was responsible.

Also required

A BHDDH QA provider flyer (linked as 05.11.2023, written mainly for developmental disability services) lists death, serious injury, medication error and suicide attempt among serious incidents to report within 24 hours or by the end of the next business day (R.I. Gen. Laws 40.1-27-2). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

212-RICR-10-00-1, Rules for the Licensing of Organizations and Facilities Licensed by BHDDH, §1.1 (applies to Behavioral Healthcare Organizations) and §1.20.1 (duty to report). R.I. Gen. Laws § 40.1-27-2(a) (written report). 212-RICR-10-10-1 (Behavioral Healthcare Organizations), §1.5.5(E) (restraint reported as adverse event) and §1.6.8(M) (medication adverse events).

Applies to

BHDDH-licensed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (mental health and/or substance use disorder services).

Sources: rules.sos.ri.gov, rules.sos.ri.gov, regulations.justia.com, webserver.rilegislature.gov, bhddh.ri.gov, www.law.cornell.edu. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

South Carolina

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours

Deadlines

• Next of kin or responsible party: at the earliest practicable hour, not exceeding 24 hours
• DPH initial report: immediately, not to exceed 24 hours, through the Department’s electronic reporting system
• Separate written investigation report: within five days (the rule says ‘five (5) days’, not business days)
• Fire: immediate notice to DPH by phone, email or fax, then a written report within the time the facility sets, no more than 48 hours (602.A)
• Natural disaster or fire that displaces patients or jeopardizes their safety: immediate notice, written report within 48 hours (602.B)
• Emergency temporary closure: notify DPH within 24 hours by phone, email or fax (607.B)
• Controlled substance theft or loss: within 72 hours of discovery to local law enforcement and the DPH Bureau of Drug Control (606)

Reporting form

• DPH Accident/Incident online reporting

What the rules say you report

• Confirmed or suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a patient by staff
• Crimes committed against patients
• Death of a residential patient in the facility or on its grounds, or of an OTP patient regardless of location
• Overdose reversal using naloxone
• Elopement (residential only)
• Bone or joint fracture
• Hospitalization resulting from an accident or incident
• Medication error
• Attempted suicide
• Severe injury involving use of restraint
• Any fire in the facility (602.A)
• A natural disaster or fire that requires patient displacement or jeopardizes or potentially jeopardizes patient safety (602.B)

Agency

South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing (Healthcare Quality). Health facility licensing moved from DHEC to DPH on July 1, 2024.

How to report

The Department’s electronic reporting system, or as otherwise determined by the Department (the regulation does not name the system). Fire notices go by phone, email or fax (602.A).

Also required

The section 601 list of reportable incidents is ‘not limited to’ the items above. An administrator change is reported within 72 hours, with the name and effective date in writing within 10 days (604). A facility with no patients for 90 days or more tells DPH in writing no later than the 100th calendar day after the last active patient left (608). Suspected abuse of children and vulnerable adults must also be reported under South Carolina’s child abuse reporting law and the Omnibus Adult Protection Act.

Rule

S.C. Code Ann. Regs. 60-93, Standards for Licensing Facilities for Chemically Dependent or Addicted Persons, transferred from R.61-93 effective May 23, 2025 (State Register Doc. No. 5352). Sections 601 (Accidents and Incidents), 602 (Fire and Disasters), 604 (administrator change), 606 (controlled substances), 607 (closure) and 608 (zero census).

Applies to

DPH-licensed facilities for chemically dependent or addicted persons, outpatient and residential, including opioid treatment programs.

Sources: dph.sc.gov, www.scstatehouse.gov, dph.sc.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

South Dakota

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours

Deadlines

• Accredited agencies and centers: initial report to DSS within 24 hours
• Follow-up report to DSS within 72 hours (written description, client name and date of birth, immediate actions taken)
• Fire, evacuation, utility or critical equipment events: as soon as possible
• DOH-licensed residential programs: suspected abuse or neglect to DOH within 24 hours (and to the state’s attorney, DSS or law enforcement), a non-natural death or a missing patient within 48 hours, and a written report of the internal investigation within five working days after the event
• Appropriate Regional Facilities: any sentinel event to DSS within 24 hours, with a follow-up within 72 hours (67:63:03:05)

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• Death not primarily related to the natural course of the client’s illness or underlying condition
• Permanent harm to a client
• Severe temporary harm to a client, or any intervention required to sustain life
• Fire with structural damage or causing injury or death
• Facility evacuation due to natural disaster
• Loss of utilities (electricity, natural gas, phone lines)
• Loss of emergency generator, fire alarms, sprinklers or other critical equipment for more than 24 hours
• DOH-licensed residential programs (44:78:01:06): suspected abuse or neglect of a patient, a death on facility property from other than natural causes (such as an accident or suicide), and a missing patient

Agency

South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Office of Licensing and Accreditation, which accredits SUD agencies and community mental health centers. Residential programs also answer to the Department of Health (DOH), which licenses them as inpatient chemical dependency treatment facilities.

How to report

To DSS. The rule names no form or portal, and we found none. DOH reports from residential programs may go by fax, email or mail under 44:78:01:06.

Also required

Each accredited agency must have a root cause analysis policy and procedures to use for any event requiring notification (67:61:02:21). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

ARSD 67:61:02:21, titled Event notification (accredited SUD agencies, amended 50 SDR 63, eff. Nov 27, 2023). ARSD 67:62:02:19, still titled Sentinel event notification (accredited community mental health centers). ARSD 44:78:01:06 (DOH-licensed inpatient chemical dependency facilities). ARSD 67:63:03:05 (Appropriate Regional Facilities).

Applies to

SUD agencies accredited under ARSD 67:61 and community mental health centers accredited under ARSD 67:62. Residential programs licensed by DOH under ARSD 44:78 have separate duties to DOH, and Appropriate Regional Facilities follow 67:63:03:05.

Sources: sdlegislature.gov, sdlegislature.gov, sdlegislature.gov, sdlegislature.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Tennessee

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Close of next business day

The rule lists what to report. The next-business-day deadline comes from TDMHSAS guidance and its reportable incident form.

Deadlines

• General licensees: by close of the next business day after the event or after the agency learns of it (agency guidance, not rule text)
• OTP serious incidents: within 24 hours to Office of Licensure and SOTA
• OTP service disruptions (strikes, disasters, loss of vital services, fires, improper PHI disclosure): within 7 days
• OTP follow-up incident report: within 7 days
• OTP FDA/DEA/federal correspondence: within 5 business days

Reporting form

• Reportable Incident Form MH-5375 (online)
• Incident Reporting Requirements

What the rules say you report

• Serious allegations or suspicion of abuse, dereliction or deficiency (rule)
• Fires, loss of heat/air conditioning, structural problems (rule)
• Guidance: death or suicide of a service recipient; self-harm or suicide attempt
• Guidance: injury needing more than basic first aid
• Guidance: sexual activity or physical/sexual incidents between staff and service recipients
• Guidance: staff theft of client property or funds; unauthorized absence from residential grounds
• Guidance: facility damage over $250; utility loss over 8 hours; natural disaster damage; pest infestation
• OTPs: abuse, deaths, serious injuries, harmful medication errors, criminal acts, suicide/attempt, rape, neglect, altercations, misappropriation, restraint incidents, poisoning

Agency

Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Office of Licensure (Licensure Investigation Unit receives incident reports)

How to report

Reportable Incident Form MH-5375 (rev. 12/12/22) to the Licensure Investigation Unit: email LicensureInv.fax@tn.gov, fax 615-401-7644, phone 866-797-9470.

Also required

OTP communicable diseases to local county health officer. APS and DCS child abuse duties exist separately. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Tenn. Comp. R. and Regs. 0940-05-02-.20 (Investigation of Abuse, Dereliction, or Deficiency; eff. May 4, 2014) lists what to report but sets no deadline; the next-business-day deadline comes from TDMHSAS guidance and the Reportable Incident Form (MH-5375, rev. 12/12/22). OTPs: 0940-05-42-.21 (eff. Dec 19, 2012).

Applies to

All TDMHSAS-licensed mental health, substance abuse and personal support services facilities; 0940-05-42-.21 applies to non-residential OTPs.

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, www.law.cornell.edu. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Texas

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: Immediately (abuse); written within 2 business days

The 24-hour internal incident report stays inside the facility. Only abuse, neglect and exploitation allegations (and NTP deaths and diversion) go to HHSC.

Deadlines

• Abuse/neglect/exploitation: anyone receiving an allegation informs HHSC investigations and the CEO immediately
• Reporter’s written report to CEO: within 24 hours
• CEO/designee written report to HHSC: within 2 business days of notification
• Internal incident report: within 24 hours of an on-site incident or of learning of an off-site one (not a state notification)
• NTP patient death: orally and in writing within two weeks of knowledge (563.148)
• NTP theft/break-in/diversion: within 48 hours of discovery to the SMA (563.148)

Reporting form

• Form 6108, Chemical Dependency Treatment Facility Incident Report

What the rules say you report

• To HHSC: all allegations of client abuse, neglect and exploitation (564.509, 564.703); Form 6108 adds illegal, unprofessional or unethical conduct related to operations
• Internal only (564.509, 15 categories): rights violations, accidents/injuries, medical/psychiatric emergencies, medication errors, illegal/violent behavior, lost records, restraint/seclusion, confidentiality breach, fire, client death, AWOL from residential, suicide attempt, inpatient admissions, other significant disruptions
• NTPs (563.148): any patient death; theft, break-in or diversion of drug stocks

Agency

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Health Care Regulation (chemical dependency / SUD treatment facility licensing); reports go to HHSC Complaint and Incident Intake (the rule says the Commission’s investigations division)

How to report

HHSC Form 6108 (eff. 1/2025): email cii.sa@hhs.texas.gov; fax 833-709-5735 or 512-206-3985; mail HHSC Complaint and Incident Intake, P.O. Box 149030, Mail Code E-249, Austin, TX 78714-9030.

Also required

564.703: child abuse/neglect (Family Code 261.101) and abuse of elderly/disabled persons (Human Resources Code 48.051) to DFPS (rule uses legacy name Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services); sexual exploitation per Civ. Prac. and Rem. Code 81.006. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

26 TAC 564.509 (Incident Reporting); 26 TAC 564.703 (Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation); NTPs: 26 TAC 563.148 (State Operational Requirements)

Applies to

HHSC-licensed chemical dependency treatment facilities (26 TAC 564); narcotic treatment programs (26 TAC 563).

Sources: regulations.justia.com, regulations.justia.com. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Utah

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 1 business day

Deadlines

• Office of Licensing: report within one business day (R380-600-7(16)(a))
• Abuse/neglect/exploitation allegation: to DCFS (minor) or APS (adult) and law enforcement within 24 hours (R380-600-7(16)(b))
• Parent or legal guardian of each involved client: within a 24-hour period (R380-600-7(16)(c))
• Client in DHHS custody: notify the involved DHHS division immediately (R380-600-7(16)(d))
• DSPD clients (guide): within 24 hours in DSPD system; full report within 5 business days
• Client who dies while served under a DHHS contract: notify the supervising DHHS agency or office immediately (Critical Incident Reporting Guide, rev. Aug 2026)

Reporting form

• Injury, Death and Critical Incident Report (Provider Portal login)
• Critical Incident Reporting Guide (PDF)

What the rules say you report

• Abuse, neglect or exploitation allegations
• Loss or impairment of bodily function or significant disfigurement
• Death related to an adverse event; any death of a minor
• Medication error requiring poison control, ED/urgent care or hospitalization
• Medical emergency beyond basic first aid
• Waste, fraud or Medicaid abuse allegations
• Missing client, including unauthorized departure
• Significant criminal activity (law enforcement, contraband, weapons, sexual misconduct)
• Property damage or infestation jeopardizing services
• Prohibited practices: misuse of restrictive interventions, seclusion, body cavity search

Agency

Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Licensing and Background Checks (DLBC), Office of Licensing (OL)

How to report

OL Provider Portal (‘Injury, Death and Critical Incident Report’); backup email licensingcomplaint@utah.gov only if portal is unavailable; questions (801) 538-4242. Witness statements and video to OL on request.

Also required

Abuse to DCFS/APS and law enforcement within 24 hours is written into R380-600-7(16)(b). Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply. The guide applies to contracted providers. If your DHHS contract requires more, you must also report non-critical incidents as the contract specifies.

Rule

Utah Admin. Code R380-600-7(16) (critical incident reporting; R380-600-7 adopted eff. 12/19/2023, amended eff. 5/8/2025); R380-80 (Provider Code of Conduct and Client Rights); DLBC Critical Incident Reporting Guide (rev. Aug 2026)

Applies to

Programs licensed or certified by the DHHS Office of Licensing, including residential and outpatient SUD and mental health treatment programs, for critical incidents under the program’s direct responsibility.

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, dlbc.utah.gov, dlbc.utah.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Vermont

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (DSU-certified programs)

Vermont has no single SUD license. The 24-hour DSU step applies to DSU-certified preferred providers. The fire and abuse steps apply to licensed therapeutic community residences.

Deadlines

• DSU preferred providers: critical incident report on the DSU form to the DSU Clinical Services Director within 24 hours of staff knowledge
• TCR fire: notify DAIL licensing and Division of Fire Safety within 24 hours; written report to both within 72 hours
• TCR abuse/neglect/exploitation: report to APS within 48 hours of learning (rule §5.16(a)); written report to licensing agency, no deadline stated
• TCR death: written report to licensing agency and protection and advocacy organization, no deadline stated

Reporting form

No public form found. Report the way the state describes under How to report.

What the rules say you report

• DSU preferred providers: serious illness or injury needing medical care, resulting from services or on the premises
• DSU: death
• DSU: alleged or confirmed assault, including sexual assault, by staff or others
• DSU: medical errors, and medication errors that need intervention or monitoring
• DSU: unlawful activity on the property by staff or others
• DSU: any serious incident likely to draw negative public attention or lead to claims against the State or the provider
• TCR: any fire regardless of size
• TCR: written report of abuse, neglect or exploitation reports/incidents
• TCR: written report of any resident death (circumstances, recent injuries/falls, meds/treatments prior 2 weeks, police notification)
• TCR: resident-to-resident abuse if alleged abuse/sexual abuse, injury needing medical intervention, or pattern

Agency

No single state SUD license. The Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use Programs (DSU), certifies preferred provider SUD treatment programs. Residential programs are licensed as Therapeutic Community Residences by DAIL, Division of Licensing and Protection.

How to report

DSU critical incidents: DSU designated form to the DSU Clinical Services Director. TCR reports: to DAIL Division of Licensing and Protection (channel not stated in the rule). Abuse reports to Adult Protective Services.

Also required

APS within 48 hours (TCR §5.16, citing 33 V.S.A. §6903). Medical examiner notification for TCR deaths. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

DSU Preferred Provider Substance Use Disorder Treatment Standards, section 8.4 (critical incidents). TCR: Licensing and Operating Rules for Therapeutic Community Residences (eff. March 15, 2025), sections 5.10(d) and 5.16

Applies to

DSU-certified preferred providers (critical incidents) and licensed therapeutic community residences, including residences for people addressing alcohol, drug use or mental illness.

Sources: healthvermont.gov, dail.vermont.gov, dail.vermont.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Virginia

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours

Deadlines

• Level II and III: within 24 hours of discovery via the DBHDS web-based application (CHRIS), and by phone or email to the individual’s designee and authorized representative
• Abuse/neglect allegation: within 24 hours of receipt via the web-based application
• Noncompliant or injurious seclusion/restraint: within 24 hours via the web-based application
• Root cause analysis: within 30 days of discovery (Level II and Level III)
• Additional information requested by licensing: within 10 business days of the licensing report (extension up to 10 more business days)
• Abuse investigation written results: within 10 working days of start unless extended

Reporting form

• CHRIS incident reporting instructions, Licensing Module 12 (PDF)

What the rules say you report

• Level III (whether or not during services or on premises): any death of an individual; sexual assault of an individual; suicide attempt by an individual admitted for services (other than licensed emergency services) that results in hospital admission
• Level II (during services or on premises; significant harm or threat): serious injury; individual missing; ER visit; unplanned psychiatric or medical hospital admission; choking needing physical intervention; ingestion of hazardous material; diagnosis of decubitus ulcer, bowel obstruction or aspiration pneumonia
• Deaths in a hospital from illness/injury that occurred while in a licensed service
• Allegations of abuse or neglect (115-230 A)
• Seclusion/restraint not complying with regulations or variance, or causing injury (115-230 C 4)
• Level I: not reported to the state; collected and reviewed quarterly

Agency

Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), Office of Licensing (serious incidents/deaths); DBHDS Office of Human Rights (abuse/neglect, seclusion/restraint)

How to report

CHRIS (Computerized Human Rights Information System), DBHDS’s web-based reporting application (name from DBHDS training; rule says ‘web-based reporting application’).

Also required

Child abuse (local DSS/hotline), adult APS and medical examiner duties exist under the Code of Virginia. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

12VAC35-105-160 (reviews by provider; required reports and records; last amended eff. Aug 1, 2020); definitions 12VAC35-105-20 (amended eff. Dec 1, 2025); 12VAC35-115-230 A and C 4 (human rights reporting). Children’s residential: 12VAC35-46-1070 C.

Applies to

All DBHDS-licensed providers under 12VAC35-105 (mental health, substance abuse and developmental services; residential and nonresidential, including SUD programs and OTPs). Children’s residential facilities follow the parallel 12VAC35-46-1070.

Sources: law.lis.virginia.gov, law.lis.virginia.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Washington

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 48 hours (agencies); next business day (residential facilities)

The HCA BH-ASO contract (start July 1, 2025, Amendment 5/6 effective July 1, 2026) binds the BH-ASO, not providers directly. Read your own BH-ASO subcontract, which can set a shorter deadline.

Deadlines

• BHA critical incident: within 48 hours, including actions taken
• RTF: by end of the next business day after the incident
• OTP off-premises death: within 48 hours of learning of it (DOH page), plus notify the accrediting body
• BH-ASO funded services: the BH-ASO must report critical incidents (abuse, neglect or exploitation by staff, assault, death in a contracted facility) to HCA within 1 business day of becoming aware (HCA BH-ASO contract 7.4.2.2). Contracted providers report to the BH-ASO under its own policy and subcontract. The HCA contract sets no separate provider deadline

Reporting form

• DOH Critical Incident Reporting page (online intake form)

What the rules say you report

• BHA: allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation
• BHA: death, including by suicide
• BHA: injuries resulting in inpatient hospital admission
• BHA: communicable disease outbreak within the agency
• RTF: allegations of abuse; death; suicide (not for pediatric transitional care RTFs); injuries resulting in inpatient stay; service disruption from emergency or disaster
• OTP deaths occurring off premises (DOH page)

Agency

Washington State Department of Health (DOH) (behavioral health agency licensing/certification; residential treatment facility licensing)

How to report

DOH online intake form: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/ComplaintIntakeForm.aspx . OTP off-site deaths: OTP Death Reporting Form https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/opinio/s?s=OTPDeathReporting. BH-ASO funded individuals: the BH-ASO enters reports in the HCA Incident Reporting System (fortress.wa.gov/hca/ics). Providers follow their BH-ASO’s reporting instructions.

Also required

RTFs also report to ‘other appropriate agencies’. Child abuse (RCW 26.44) and vulnerable adult (RCW 74.34) duties exist. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply. Reporting to HCA does not replace notifying DOH, law enforcement, Residential Care Services and protective services (HCA BH-ASO contract 7.4.2.2).

Rule

WAC 246-341-0420 (BHA agency policies; critical incident reporting; WSR 22-24-091, eff. 5/1/23); WAC 246-337-065 (RTF reporting requirements; WSR 19-02-036, eff. 1/1/19); HCA BH-ASO contract, Sections 7.4, 8.1.3 and 9.3.1 (Section 25 has no incident term)

Applies to

WAC 246-341: licensed/certified behavioral health agencies (MH, SUD, co-occurring; outpatient, residential, inpatient, withdrawal management, crisis, OTPs). WAC 246-337: licensed residential treatment facilities; dual-licensed programs meet both. BH-ASO contracted providers (behavioral health agencies, FQHCs, independent providers) serving people funded by the BH-ASO with state general fund and federal block grant money.

Sources: app.leg.wa.gov, app.leg.wa.gov, www.hca.wa.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

West Virginia

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (abuse, by phone)

The mortality and critical incident steps come from OHFLAC guidelines (Dec 2021). Confirm the current fax number and form after the 2024 reorganization. We could not confirm where the abuse and incident steps sit in the 2026 rule, so check them with OHFLAC.

Deadlines

• Abuse/neglect: phone report to Centralized Intake within 24 hours, then written report to OHFLAC within 48 hours (§ 64-11-12.15.2 in the prior rule)
• Treatment-related mortality: immediately by fax on Initial Mortality Report Form (guidelines say within 24 hours)
• Mortality: copy of provider’s internal investigation to OHFLAC within 14 calendar days
• Critical incidents (internal): investigation begun within 24 hours; preliminary report within 5 working days; final report within 14 calendar days; kept in central file for the Secretary

Reporting form

• OHFLAC Reporting and Investigation Guidelines for licensed behavioral health providers (PDF, rev. 12/2021): mortality report by fax to 304-558-2515 on the Initial Mortality Report Form

What the rules say you report

• Suspected or confirmed abuse or neglect of a consumer (all staff, contractors and volunteers are mandatory reporters)
• Mortality related to treatment services or supervision (guidelines; outpatient-only deaths unrelated to services need not be reported)
• Incidents causing serious injury or death: investigate and report to appropriate authorities and the OHFLAC Director (§ 71-25-11.2.13.c, no deadline)
• Critical incidents (guidelines: e.g., suicide attempt, law enforcement involvement, restraint misuse, substance possession, hospitalization-level injury, medication errors, unauthorized absence): investigated and filed, NOT sent to OHFLAC
• Non-critical incidents: documented and filed internally

Agency

Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC), within the West Virginia Office of Inspector General, which after the 2024 DHHR split serves the Department of Health, Department of Human Services and Department of Health Facilities. Guidance still hosted on ohflac.wvdhhr.org.

How to report

Abuse/neglect: Centralized Intake hotline 1-800-352-6513, then written report to OHFLAC. Mortality: fax 304-558-2515, ‘Behavioral Health Center – Initial Mortality Report Form’ (per Dec 2021 guidelines; confirm current fax).

Also required

Per guidelines: CPS immediately, no more than 24 hours; APS immediately, no more than 48 hours (hotline 1-800-352-6513). Incapacitated adults per Department policy to the Inspector General. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

W. Va. Code R. 71CSR25 (Behavioral Health Centers Licensure, eff. May 1, 2026, replacing 64CSR11), § 71-25-11.2.13.c and § 71-25-5.2. The abuse/neglect and incident steps below were §§ 64-11-12.14 to 12.17 in the prior rule, which incorporated OHFLAC ‘Reporting and Investigation Guidelines for Incidents’ (Dec 2021)

Applies to

Behavioral health centers licensed under 71CSR25 (MH and SUD, including residential).

Sources: apps.sos.wv.gov, regulations.justia.com, ohflac.wvdhhr.org. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Wisconsin

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 24 hours (certain deaths)

DHS rule CR 25-054, which revises DHS 75, was still in legislative review as of October 2026 with no effective date, its emergency version EmR2511 has expired, and DHS has started a broader DHS 75 revision (scope SS 017-26). Recheck DHS 75.10 when either takes effect.

Deadlines

• Restraint/psychotropic/suicide death: no later than 24 hours after the service becomes aware
• Accident or injury death: within 3 working days of the death
• Substantiated abuse/neglect/misappropriation: within 7 calendar days from when the service knew or should have known, on a department form
• Legal representative: immediately for any incident, injury or significant change in condition and for abuse or neglect allegations, and within 72 hours for misappropriation allegations (DHS 75.10(3))

Reporting form

• Reportable Death Determination, F-62470 (online)
• Misconduct Reporting System (online)
• Misconduct Incident Report F-62447, paper backup (PDF)

What the rules say you report

• Death reasonably believed related to physical restraint, psychotropic medication or suicide
• Death from an incident or accident at the service location not related to restraint, psychotropic medication or suicide
• Abuse, neglect or misappropriation of client property that the service’s investigation substantiates

Agency

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), certifying community substance use services under DHS 75

How to report

Deaths: DHS form F-62470 (Reportable Death Determination), which auto-emails dhsdqadeathreporting@dhs.wisconsin.gov. Abuse/neglect/misappropriation: ‘form provided by the department’.

Also required

Law enforcement, coroner/medical examiner and professional boards as applicable; child abuse (Wis. Stat. 48.981) and adult-at-risk duties exist. Separate state laws on reporting suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse also apply.

Rule

Wis. Admin. Code DHS 75.10 (recreated by CR 20-047, eff. Oct 1, 2022); Wis. Stat. § 51.64 (reporting deaths)

Applies to

Community substance use services certified under DHS 75 (outpatient, IOP, day treatment, residential, withdrawal management, OTPs, etc.).

Sources: www.law.cornell.edu, www.dhs.wisconsin.gov, docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. Verified September 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.

Wyoming

State reporting rule found.

Earliest state deadline: 30 days after your accreditor report (accredited providers only)

The 30 day duty covers reports the Division requests from accredited providers. For certified providers that are not nationally accredited, no state incident deadline was found.

Deadlines

• Accredited certified providers: within 30 calendar days of submission to the national accrediting body
• Certified providers that are not accredited: no state incident reporting deadline found
• HLS licensed hospitals: the HLS incident page gives no deadline
• Vulnerable adults: immediately to law enforcement or the department (W.S. 35-20-103)

Reporting form

• HLS Incident Tracking System, only for hospitals and psychiatric hospitals licensed by Healthcare Licensing and Surveys (not programs certified by the Behavioral Health Division)

What the rules say you report

• Nationally accredited certified providers: all accreditor survey reports, reports of major unusual incidents or sentinel events, and any other reports the accreditor requires, when the Division requests them, with documentation that the accreditor accepted them (Chapter 2, Section 4(b)(ii))
• HLS licensed hospitals and psychiatric hospitals: incidents through the HLS Incident Tracking System, which also links the federal CMS-10455 form for hospital deaths associated with restraint or seclusion

Agency

Wyoming Department of Health. The Behavioral Health Division certifies SUD providers and behavioral health centers under state contract, and Healthcare Licensing and Surveys (HLS) licenses hospitals and psychiatric hospitals.

How to report

Certified providers send accreditor reports to the Division. The rule names no method, so ask BHD certification at wdh-certification@wyo.gov or (307) 777-5253. Hospitals and psychiatric hospitals report online through the HLS Incident Tracking System (HLS: (307) 777-7123, wdh-ohls@wyo.gov).

Also required

Under W.S. 35-20-103 a person with information about abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult must report it immediately to law enforcement or the department, and child abuse reporting laws also apply.

Rule

Wyoming Department of Health, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services Rules, Chapter 2 (Behavioral Health Service Provider Certification), Section 4(b)(ii), effective September 18, 2024. HLS licensed hospitals and psychiatric hospitals report through the HLS Incident Tracking System. W.S. 35-20-103 covers vulnerable adults.

Applies to

Providers the Division certifies on the basis of national accreditation by The Joint Commission, CARF or NIAHO. Certification applies only to providers that take court-ordered or court-referred SUD clients, hold a state contract or provide community mental health center services. Hospitals and psychiatric hospitals licensed by HLS use the HLS system.

Sources: health.wyo.gov, health.wyo.gov, health.wyo.gov, wyoleg.gov. Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency when in doubt.