2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 7 - Human Health Care and Safety › Chapter 19 - Adult Protective Services › § 7–1901. Definitions

§ 7–1901. Definitions.
When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed by this section:
(1)(A) “Abuse” means:
(i) The intentional or reckless infliction of serious physical pain or injury;
(ii) The use or threatened use of violence to force participation in “sexual conduct,” defined in § 22-3101(5);
(iii) The repeated, intentional imposition of unreasonable confinement or threats to impose unreasonable confinement, resulting in severe mental distress;
(iv) The repeated use of threats or violence, resulting in shock or an intense, expressed fear for one’s life or of serious physical injury; or
(v) The intentional or deliberately indifferent deprivation of essential food, shelter, or health care in violation of a caregiver’s responsibilities, when that deprivation constitutes a serious threat to one’s life or physical health.
(B) An adult shall not be considered abused under this chapter for the sole reason that he or she seeks, or his or her caregiver provides or permits to be provided, with the express consent or in accordance with the practice of the adult, treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with a religious method of healing, in lieu of medical treatment.
(1A) “Adult” means an individual 18 years of age or older.
(2)(A) “Adult in need of protective services” means an individual 18 years of age or older who:
(i) Is highly vulnerable to abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation because of a physical or mental impairment, self-neglect, or incapacity;
(ii) Has recently been or is being abused, neglected, or exploited by another or meets the criteria for self-neglect; and
(iii) Has no one willing and able to provide adequate protection.
(B) An adult shall not be considered in need of protective services under this chapter for the sole reason that he or she seeks, or his or her caregiver provides or permits to be provided, with the express consent or in accordance with the practice of the adult, treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with a religious method of healing, in lieu of medical treatment.
(3) “Adult protective services worker” (APS worker) means an employee of the District or a private social services agency under contract with the District who conducts investigations or provides protective services under this chapter.
(4) “Caregiver” means a person that, by law, contract, court order, or voluntary action, is charged with or has assumed the responsibility for an adult’s essential food, shelter, or health-care needs.
(5) “Court” means the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(6) “Department” means the District of Columbia Department of Aging and Community Living.
(7) “District” means the District of Columbia.
(8) “Exploitation” means the unlawful appropriation or use of another’s “property,” defined in § 22-3201, for one’s own benefit or that of a 3rd person.
(8A) “Incapacity” means the state of being an incapacitated individual as defined by § 21-2011(11).
(9)(A) “Neglect” means:
(i) The repeated, careless infliction of serious physical pain or injury;
(ii) The repeated failure of a caregiver to take reasonable steps, within the purview of his or her responsibilities, to protect against acts of abuse described in paragraph (1)(B) of this section;
(iii) The repeated, careless imposition of unreasonable confinement, resulting in severe mental distress; or
(iv) The careless deprivation of essential food, shelter, or health care in violation of a caregiver’s responsibilities, when that deprivation constitutes a serious threat to one’s life or physical health.
(B) An adult shall not be considered neglected under this chapter for the sole reason that he or she seeks, or his or her caregiver provides or permits to be provided, with the express consent or in accordance with the practice of the adult, treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with a religious method of healing, in lieu of medical treatment.
(10) “Person” means an individual, facility, agency, corporation, partnership, the District government, or any other organizational entity.
(11) “Police” means the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.
(12) “Protective services” means those services or provisions reasonably calculated to remedy or substantially reduce the likelihood of abuse, neglect, or exploitation by another, or self-neglect, including, but not limited to: Food, heat, shelter, clothing, health care, home care, counseling, legal assistance, and social casework.
(13)(A) “Self-neglect” means the failure of an adult, due to physical or mental impairments or incapacity, to perform essential self-care tasks, including:
(i) Providing essential food, clothing, shelter, or medical care;
(ii) Obtaining goods or services necessary to maintain physical health, mental health, emotional well-being, and general safety; or
(iii) Managing his or her financial affairs.
(B) An adult shall not be considered to be committing self-neglect under this chapter for the sole reason that he or she seeks treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with a religious method of healing, in lieu of medical treatment.
(Mar. 14, 1985, D.C. Law 5-156, § 2, 32 DCR 13; Mar. 8, 2006, D.C. Law 16-67, § 2(a), 53 DCR 40; Sept. 11, 2019, D.C. Law 23-16, § 5032, 66 DCR 8621.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 6-2501.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 7-1904.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 16-67, rewrote pars. (1), (2), and (9); added pars. (1A), (8A), (13); and, in par. (12), substituted “exploitation by another, or self-neglect,” for “exploitation by another,”.
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 5032 of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-112, Sept. 4, 2019, 66 DCR 11964).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 5032 of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-91, July 22, 2019, 66 DCR 8497).
Editor's Notes
Delayed application of Law 5-156: Section 15(b) of D.C. Law 5-156 provided that, except as provided in § 6-2503(e), the applicability of the act shall be delayed until October 1, 1985.
Delegation of Authority
Delegation of authority pursuant to title XXIII (Section 2352(a)) of Public Law 97-35, the “Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, to Deliver Social Services Block Grant Funded Homemaker Services for Individuals and Families who are in Need of or Receiving Protective Services”, see Mayor’s Order 97-101, May 28, 1997 ( 44 DCR 3529).
Re-Delegation of Authority Pursuant to Title XXIII (Sec. 2352(a)) of Public Law 97-35, the “Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act,” as Amended, to Deliver Social Services Block Grant Funded Homemaker Services for Individuals and Families Who are in Need of or Receiving Protective Services, see Mayor’s Order 2001-95, June 28, 2001 ( 48 DCR 6276).