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Can you summarize MSCO 43-47-19?
Mississippi Vulnerable Persons Act > Prohibition against abuse, neglect, or exploitation; penalties; relation to other laws.
Short Summary
This legal document, known as the Mississippi Vulnerable Persons Act, prohibits any person from abusing, neglecting, or exploiting a vulnerable person. It defines abuse as the willful infliction of physical pain or injury, and neglect as the willful omission of duties resulting in neglect, physical pain, injury, mental anguish, unreasonable confinement, or deprivation of necessary services. Exploitation is also addressed, with different penalties based on the value of the exploitation. Misdemeanor exploitation carries a fine up to $5,000 or imprisonment up to 1 year, while felony exploitation can result in imprisonment up to 10 years. Felonious abuse or battery of a vulnerable person can lead to imprisonment up to 20 years. Willfully inflicting severe mental anguish is considered a felony, punishable by imprisonment up to 5 years and a fine up to $5,000. For third or subsequent misdemeanor convictions within a 5-year period, the offense becomes a felony with penalties of imprisonment up to 5 years and a fine up to $5,000. The document also clarifies that accepted medical procedures performed within the usual scope of practice are not considered violations. This law does not prevent proceedings under other statutes or municipal ordinances defining acts as crimes or misdemeanors.
Whom does it apply to?
Any person
What does it govern?
Prohibition against abuse, neglect, or exploitation
What are exemptions?
Accepted medical procedures performed in the usual scope of practice
What are the Penalties?
Misdemeanor: fine up to $1,000 or imprisonment up to 1 year or both; misdemeanor exploitation: fine up to $5,000 or imprisonment up to 1 year or both; felony exploitation: imprisonment up to 10 years; felonious abuse or battery: imprisonment up to 20 years; severe mental anguish: imprisonment up to 5 years and fine up to $5,000; third or subsequent misdemeanor conviction: imprisonment up to 5 years and fine up to $5,000
Jurisdiction
Mississippi