§346-229  Right of entry.  (a)  Anemployee of the department engaged in an investigation under this part shall beauthorized to visit and communicate with the vulnerable adult who is thesubject of the report.  Any person intentionally or knowingly obstructing orinterfering with the department's access to or communication with thevulnerable adult shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b)  Any employee of the department engaged inan investigation under this part, having probable cause to believe that a vulnerableadult will be physically injured through abuse before a court order for entrycan be obtained, without a warrant, may enter upon the premises where thevulnerable adult may be found for the purpose of ascertaining that person'swelfare.  Where a warrantless entry is authorized under this section, theemployee of the department may request the assistance of a police officer togain entrance. [L 1989, c 381, pt of §1; am L 1990, c 144, §1 and c 234, §9; amL 2008, c 154, §11]