Charges
Caregiver Neglect Laws
Financial Exploitation Laws
Physical Abuse Laws
Sexual Abuse/Assault Laws
Statutes
Endangering the Welfare of a Vulnerable Adult in the First Degree
(a) A person commits the crime of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable adult in the first degree if the person
(1) intentionally abandons a vulnerable adult in any place under circumstances creating a substantial risk of physical injury to the vulnerable adult and the vulnerable adult is in the person’s care
(A) by contract or authority of law; or
(B) in a facility or program that is required by law to be licensed by the state; or
(2) violates AS 11.51.210 and, as a result of the violation, the vulnerable adult suffers serious physical injury.
(b) Endangering the welfare of a vulnerable adult in the first degree is a class C felony.
Endangering the Welfare of a Vulnerable Adult in the Second Degree
(a) A person commits the crime of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable adult in the second degree if the person fails without lawful excuse to provide support for the vulnerable adult and the vulnerable adult is in the person’s care
(1) by contract or authority of law; or
(2) in a facility or program that is required by law to be licensed by the state.
(b) As used in this section, “support” includes necessary food, care, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. There is no failure to provide medical attention to a vulnerable adult if the vulnerable adult is provided treatment solely by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination of which the vulnerable adult is a member or adherent, provided the vulnerable adult consents to the treatment through spiritual means only, and the treatment is administered by an accredited practitioner of the church or denomination.
(c) Endangering
Definition of Vulnerable Adult
In AS 11.51.200 — 11.51.210, “vulnerable adult” has the meaning given in AS 47.24.900.
Definitions
(21) “vulnerable adult” means a person 18 years of age or older who, because of incapacity, mental illness, mental deficiency, physical illness or disability, advanced age, chronic use of drugs, chronic intoxication, fraud, confinement, or disappearance, is unable to meet the person’s own needs or to seek help without assistance.
State Mandated Reporting
Alaska
Who has to report?
A physician or other licensed health care provider; a mental health professional as defined in AS therapist licensed under AS 08.63; a pharmacist; an administrator of a nursing home, residential care or health care facility; a guardian or conservator; a police officer; a village public safety officer; a village health aide; a social worker; a member of the clergy; a staff employee of a project funded by the Department of Administration for the provision of services to older Alaskans, the Department of Health and Social Services, or the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; an employee of a personal care or home health aide program; an emergency medical technician or a mobile intensive care paramedic; a caregiver of the vulnerable adult; or a certified nurse aide.
When to report?
The persons previously listed who, in the performance of their professional duties, have reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult suffers from abandonment, exploitation, abuse, neglect, or self-neglect.
How to report?
Reports shall be made to the central reporting number for the Division of Senior Services within 24 hours at: 907-269-3666 or 1-800-478-9996 (in state only)
