§1503. Definitions

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(1) "Abandonment" means the desertion or willful forsaking of an adult by anyone having care or custody of that person under circumstances in which a reasonable person would continue to provide care and custody.

(2) "Abuse" means the infliction of physical or mental injury, or actions which may reasonably be expected to inflict physical injury, on an adult by other parties, including but not limited to such means as sexual abuse, abandonment, isolation, exploitation, or extortion of funds or other things of value.

(3) "Adult" means any individual eighteen years of age or older, or an emancipated minor who, due to a physical, mental, or developmental disability or the infirmities of aging, is unable to manage his own resources, carry out the activities of daily living, or protect himself from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

(4)(a) "Adult protection agency" means the office of elderly affairs in the office of the governor, for any individual sixty years of age or older in need of adult protective services as provided in this Chapter.

(b) "Adult protection agency" means the Louisiana Department of Health for any individual between the ages of eighteen and fifty-nine years of age in need of adult protective services as provided in this Chapter. The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health may assign the duties and powers provided in this Chapter to any office of the department for provision of adult protective services, as provided in this Chapter.

(5) "Capacity to consent" means the ability to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of making decisions concerning one's person, including but not limited to provisions for health or mental health care, food, shelter, clothing, safety, or financial affairs. This determination may be based on assessment or investigative findings, observation, or medical or mental health evaluations.

(6) "Caregiver" means any person or persons, either temporarily or permanently, responsible for the care of a person who is aged or an adult with a physical or mental disability. "Caregiver" includes but is not limited to adult children, parents, relatives, neighbors, daycare personnel, adult foster home sponsors, personnel of public and private institutions and facilities, adult congregate living facilities, and nursing homes which have voluntarily assumed the care of a person who is aged or an adult with a disability, have assumed voluntary residence with a person who is aged or an adult with a disability, or have assumed voluntary use or tutelage of the assets, funds, or property of a person who is aged or a person with a disability, and specifically shall include city, parish, or state law enforcement agencies.

(7) "Exploitation" means the illegal or improper use or management of the funds, assets, or property of a person who is aged or an adult with a disability, or the use of power of attorney or guardianship of a person who is aged or an adult with a disability for one's own profit or advantage.

(8) "Extortion" is the acquisition of a thing of value from an unwilling or reluctant adult by physical force, intimidation, or abuse of legal or official authority.

(9) "Isolation" includes:

(a) Intentional acts committed for the purpose of preventing, and which do serve to prevent, an adult from having contact with family, friends, or concerned persons. This shall not be construed to affect a legal restraining order.

(b) Intentional acts committed to prevent an adult from receiving his mail or telephone calls.

(c) Intentional acts of physical or chemical restraint of an adult committed for the purpose of preventing contact with visitors, family, friends, or other concerned persons.

(d) Intentional acts which restrict, place, or confine an adult in a restricted area for the purposes of social deprivation or preventing contact with family, friends, visitors, or other concerned persons. However, medical isolation prescribed by a licensed physician caring for the adult shall not be included in this definition.

(10) "Neglect" means the failure, by a caregiver responsible for an adult's care or by other parties, to provide the proper or necessary support or medical, surgical, or any other care necessary for his well-being. No adult who is being provided treatment in accordance with a recognized religious method of healing in lieu of medical treatment shall for that reason alone be considered to be neglected or abused.

(11) "Protective services" includes but is not limited to:

(a) Conducting investigations and assessments of complaints of possible abuse, neglect, or exploitation to determine if the situation and condition of the adult warrant further action.

(b) Preparing a social services plan utilizing community resources aimed at remedying abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

(c) Case management to assure stabilization of the situation.

(d) Referral for legal assistance to initiate any necessary extrajudicial remedial action.

(12) "Self-neglect" means the failure, either by the adult's action or inaction, to provide the proper or necessary support or medical, surgical, or any other care necessary for his own well-being. No adult who is being provided treatment in accordance with a recognized religious method of healing in lieu of medical treatment shall for that reason alone be considered to be self-neglected.

(13) "Sexual abuse" means abuse of an adult, as defined in this Section, when any of the following occur:

(a) The adult is forced, threatened, or otherwise coerced by a person into sexual activity or contact.

(b) The adult is involuntarily exposed to sexually explicit material, sexually explicit language, or sexual activity or contact.

(c) The adult lacks the capacity to consent, and a person engages in sexual activity or contact with that adult.

Acts 2008, No. 181, §2, eff. June 13, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 342, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §7, eff. June 23, 2014.