As Amended
SEC. 43-47-19. Prohibition against abuse, neglect, or exploitation; notification of district attorney; penalties; relation to other laws.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to abuse, neglect or exploit any vulnerable adult.
(2) Any person who willfully commits an act or omits the performance of any duty, which act or omission contributes to, tends to contribute to or results in the abuse, neglect or exploitation of any vulnerable adult shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year in the county jail, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(3) Any person who willfully inflicts physical pain or injury upon a vulnerable adult shall be guilty of felonious abuse and/or battery of a vulnerable adult and, upon conviction thereof, may be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for not more than twenty (20) years.
(4) Nothing contained in this section shall prevent proceedings against a person under any statute of this state or municipal ordinance defining any act as a crime or misdemeanor.
SOURCES: Laws, 1986, ch. 468, Sec. 10; reenacted, 1989, ch. 381, Sec. 10; 1990, ch. 493, Sec. 6, eff from and after Oct 1, 1990.