HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1735

(A)  IN THIS SUBTITLE TITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(B)  "ABUSE" MEANS THE SUSTAINING OF ANY PHYSICAL INJURY BY
A VULNERABLE ADULT AS A RESULT OF CRUEL OR INHUMANE TREATMENT OR
AS A RESULT OF A MALICIOUS ACT BY ANY PERSON.

(C)  "DISABLED INDIVIDUAL" HAS THE MEANING STATED IN §
13-101(D) OF THE ESTATES AND TRUSTS ARTICLE.

(D)  "DIRECTOR" MEANS THE DIRECTOR OF THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT
IN THE COUNTY WHERE THE VULNERABLE ADULT LIVES.

(E)  "EMERGENCY" MEANS ANY CONDITION IN WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL
IS LIVING THAT PRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF DEATH OR IMMEDIATE
AND SERIOUS PHYSICAL HARM TO THE INDIVIDUAL OR OTHERS.

(F)  "EXPLOITATION" MEANS ANY ACTION WHICH INVOLVES THE
MISUSE OF A VULNERABLE ADULT'S FUNDS, PROPERTY, OR PERSON.

(G)  "HEALTH PRACTITIONER" INCLUDES ANY PERSON WHO IS
AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE HEALING UNDER THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
ARTICLE.

(H) (1) "HUMAN SERVICE WORKER" MEANS ANY PROFESSIONAL
EMPLOYEE OF ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE HEALTH OR SOCIAL SERVICES
AGENCY OR PROVIDER.

(2) "HUMAN SERVICE WORKER" INCLUDES:

(I)  ANY SOCIAL WORKER; AND

(II)  ANY CASEWORKER.

(I) "LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY" MEANS A STATE, COUNTY, OR
MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUREAU, OR AGENCY.

(J) "LOCAL DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES THAT HAS JURISDICTION IN THE COUNTY:

(1)  WHERE THE VULNERABLE ADULT LIVES; OR

(2)  WHERE THE ABUSE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE.

(K) "LOCAL STATE'S ATTORNEY" MEANS THE STATE'S ATTORNEY FOR
THE COUNTY:

(1)  WHERE THE VULNERABLE ADULT LIVES; OR

(2)  WHERE THE ABUSE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE.

(L) (1) "NEGLECT" MEANS THE WILLFUL DEPRIVATION OF A
VULNERABLE ADULT OF ADEQUATE FOOD, CLOTHING, ESSENTIAL MEDICAL
TREATMENT OR HABILITATIVE THERAPY, SHELTER, OR SUPERVISION.