Maryland Criminal Law Section 3-604
§ 3-604.
  (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.