(a) Protective services may be arranged when an adult person is in need of care and protection because of danger to his health or safety; provided, that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to mean that the department is chargeable for the cost of such care except where such care is specifically provided for by law or departmental regulations and funding exists for such purpose. All protective services shall be in conformity with the wishes of the person to be served unless the person is unable or unwilling to accept such services, and if the person is unable or unwilling to accept such services, the court may order such services. The department may be required to provide or arrange for services only for persons it is equipped to serve and agrees to serve.

Terms Used In Alabama Code 38-9-4

  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(b) The department shall seek out, through investigation, complaints from citizens or otherwise, the adults in the state who are in need of care and protection because of danger to their health or safety, and shall, as far as may be possible, through existing agencies, public or private, or through such other resources as are available, aid such adults to a fair opportunity in life.