2023 Maryland Statutes › Criminal Law › Title 3 - Other Crimes Against the Person › Subtitle 6 - Abuse and Other Offensive Conduct › Section 3-604 - Abuse or Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult in the First Degree

(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; and
4.    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.