Abuse and neglect of patients and residents

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law, no person may abuse or neglect a person who is a patient or resident at a care facility, adult day care, foster home, group home, hospice, or other inpatient health care facility, or who is at risk for abuse or neglect due to a mental or physical impairment. The penalty for abuse or neglect depends on the severity of the damage done to the patient, resident, or at-risk person and whether the actor acted intentionally, recklessly, or negligently.

For example, a person who commits an intentional or reckless act that causes the death of a patient, resident, or at-risk person is guilty of a Class C felony and may be fined up to $100,000, imprisoned for up to 40 years, or both. A person who commits a negligent act that results in the death of a patient, resident, or at-risk person is guilty of a Class D felony and subject to the same fine but a maximum of 25 years in prison. A person who acts intentionally, recklessly, or negligently but does not cause harm or create a risk of harm to a patient, resident, or at-risk person is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to 90 days, or both.

Who's behind it

3 senators are its authors⁠. All 3 are Democrats.

11 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.