Idaho State Statutes - Idaho Attorney Directory

(1) Any
person who abuses or neglects a vulnerable adult under circumstances likely to
produce great bodily harm or death is guilty of a felony punishable by
imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years and not more than a twenty-five
thousand dollar ($25,000) fine.
(2) Any person who abuses or neglects a vulnerable adult under
circumstances other than those likely to produce great bodily harm or death is
guilty of a misdemeanor.
(3) Any person who exploits a vulnerable adult is guilty of a
misdemeanor, unless the monetary damage from such exploitation exceeds one
thousand dollars ($1,000), in which case the person is guilty of a felony
punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years and not more than
a twenty-five thousand dollar ($25,000) fine.
(4) As used in this section:
(a) "Abuse" means the intentional or negligent infliction of physical
pain, injury or mental injury. Intentional abuse shall be punished under
subsection (1) or (2) of this section depending upon the harm inflicted.
Abuse by negligent infliction shall only be punished under subsection (2)
of this section.
(b) "Caretaker" means any individual or institution that is responsible
by relationship, contract or court order to provide food, shelter or
clothing, medical or other life-sustaining necessities to a vulnerable
adult.
(c) "Exploitation" or "exploit" means an action which may include, but is
not limited to, the misuse of a vulnerable adult's funds, property or
resources by another person for profit or advantage.
(d) "Neglect" means failure of a caretaker to provide food, clothing,
shelter or medical care to a vulnerable adult, in such a manner as to
jeopardize the life, health and safety of the vulnerable adult.
(e) "Vulnerable adult" means a person eighteen (18) years of age or older
who is unable to protect himself from abuse, neglect or exploitation due
to physical or mental impairment which affects the person's judgment or
behavior to the extent that he lacks sufficient understanding or capacity
to make or communicate or implement decisions regarding his person.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean a person is
abused, neglected or exploited for the sole reason he is relying upon
treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with the
tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination; nor
shall the provisions of this section be construed to require any medical care
or treatment in contravention of the stated or implied objection of such a
person.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that an employer
or supervisor of a person who abuses, exploits or neglects a vulnerable adult
may be prosecuted unless there is direct evidence of a violation of this
statute by the employer or supervisor.

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