US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

(a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) MEDICALLY PRESCRIBED. In accordance with a physician's prescription or in accordance with age-appropriate directions for the over-the-counter medication.

(2) NEAR FATALITY. An act that, as certified by a physician, places the child in serious or critical condition.

(b) There is established the crime of administration of medication by the owner, operator, or employee of a licensed or statutorily exempt child care facility with the intent to drug the child or alter the child's behavior beyond what is medically prescribed or with the reckless disregard for the health, safety, and welfare of the child.

(c) A violation of subsection (b) is punishable as follows:

(1) A violation which does not cause or contributes to the death, near fatality, dismemberment, or permanent disability of a child is a Class C felony.

(2) A violation which causes a near fatality, dismemberment, or permanent disability of a child is a Class B felony.

(3) A violation which causes the death of a child is a Class A felony.

(Act 2004-538, §1.)