US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

      (a)      (1)      In this section and §§ 3-605 and 3-606 of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

            (2)      (i)      "Abuse" means the sustaining of physical pain or injury by a vulnerable adult as a result of cruel or inhumane treatment or as a result of a malicious act under circumstances that indicate that the vulnerable adult's health or welfare is harmed or threatened.

                  (ii)      "Abuse" includes the sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult.

                  (iii)      "Abuse" does not include an accepted medical or behavioral procedure ordered by a health care provider authorized to practice under the Health Occupations Article or § 13-516 of the Education Article acting within the scope of the health care provider's practice.

            (3)      "Caregiver" means a person under a duty to care for a vulnerable adult because of a contractual undertaking to provide care.

            (4)      "Family member" means a relative of a vulnerable adult by blood, marriage, adoption, or the marriage of a child.

            (5)      "Household" means the location:

                  (i)      in which the vulnerable adult resides;

                  (ii)      where the abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult is alleged to have taken place; or

                  (iii)      where the person suspected of abusing or neglecting a vulnerable adult resides.

            (6)      "Household member" means an individual who lives with or is a regular presence in a home of a vulnerable adult at the time of the alleged abuse or neglect.

            (7)      (i)      "Neglect" means the intentional failure to provide necessary assistance and resources for the physical needs of a vulnerable adult, including:

                        1.      food;

                        2.      clothing;

                        3.      toileting;

                        4.      essential medical treatment;

                        5.      shelter; or

                        6.      supervision.

                  (ii)      "Neglect" does not include the provision of nonmedical remedial care and treatment for the healing of injury or disease that is:

                        1.      given with the consent of the vulnerable adult; and

                        2.      recognized by State law in place of medical treatment.

            (8)      "Serious physical injury" means physical injury that:

                  (i)      creates a substantial risk of death; or

                  (ii)      causes permanent or protracted serious:

                        1.      disfigurement;

                        2.      loss of the function of any bodily member or organ; or

                        3.      impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

            (9)      (i)      "Sexual abuse" means an act that involves sexual molestation or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

                  (ii)      "Sexual abuse" includes:

                        1.      incest;

                        2.      rape;

                        3.      sexual offense in any degree;

                        4.      sodomy; and

                        5.      unnatural or perverted sexual practices.

            (10)      "Vulnerable adult" means an adult who lacks the physical or mental capacity to provide for the adult's daily needs.

      (b)      (1)      A caregiver, a parent, or other person who has permanent or temporary care or responsibility for the supervision of a vulnerable adult may not cause abuse or neglect of the vulnerable adult that:

                  (i)      results in the death of the vulnerable adult;

                  (ii)      causes serious physical injury to the vulnerable adult; or

                  (iii)      involves sexual abuse of the vulnerable adult.

            (2)      A household member or family member may not cause abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult that:

                  (i)      results in the death of the vulnerable adult;

                  (ii)      causes serious physical injury to the vulnerable adult; or

                  (iii)      involves sexual abuse of the vulnerable adult.

      (c)      A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult in the first degree and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.

      (d)      A sentence imposed under this section shall be in addition to any other sentence imposed for a conviction arising from the same facts and circumstances unless the evidence required to prove each crime is substantially identical.