Criminal Law 

(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.