Nevada Revised Statutes 435.645 – Abuse of consumer; failure to report abuse; possession or use of intoxicating beverage or controlled substance; transaction with consumer; aiding escape of consumer; penalties
1. An employee of a public or private facility offering services for persons with intellectual disabilities or persons with developmental disabilities or any other person, except a consumer, who:
Attorney's Note
Under the Nevada Revised Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| category B felony | 1 to 20 years | |
| gross misdemeanor | up to 364 days | up to $2,000 |
Terms Used In Nevada Revised Statutes 435.645
- Administrative officer: means a person with overall executive and administrative responsibility for those state or nonstate intellectual and developmental disability centers designated by the Administrator. See Nevada Revised Statutes 435.007
- controlled substance: means a drug, immediate precursor or other substance which is listed in schedule I, II, III, IV or V for control by the State Board of Pharmacy pursuant to NRS 453. See Nevada Revised Statutes 0.031
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Division: means the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Department. See Nevada Revised Statutes 435.007
- Division facility: means any unit or subunit operated by the Division for the care, treatment and training of consumers. See Nevada Revised Statutes 435.007
- Person: includes a child and any other consumer with an intellectual disability and a child or any other consumer with a developmental disability who has attained the age of 18 years. See Nevada Revised Statutes 435.007
- physician: means a person who engages in the practice of medicine, including osteopathy and homeopathy. See Nevada Revised Statutes 0.040
- substantial bodily harm: means :
- Training: means a program of services directed primarily toward enhancing the health, welfare and development of persons with intellectual disabilities or persons with developmental disabilities through the process of providing those experiences that will enable the person to:
(a) Develop his or her physical, intellectual, social and emotional capacities to the fullest extent;
(b) Live in an environment that is conducive to personal dignity; and
(c) Continue development of those skills, habits and attitudes essential to adaptation in contemporary society. See Nevada Revised Statutes 435.007
- Treatment: means any combination of procedures or activities, of whatever level of intensity and whatever duration, ranging from occasional counseling sessions to full-time admission to a residential facility. See Nevada Revised Statutes 435.007
(a) Has reason to believe that a consumer of the Division or of a private facility offering services for consumers with intellectual disabilities or consumers with developmental disabilities has been or is being abused or neglected and fails to report it;
(b) Brings intoxicating beverages or a controlled substance into any division facility occupied by consumers unless specifically authorized to do so by the administrative officer or a staff physician of the facility;
(c) Is under the influence of liquor or a controlled substance while employed in contact with consumers, unless in accordance with a lawfully issued prescription;
(d) Enters into any transaction with a consumer involving the transfer of money or property for personal use or gain at the expense of the consumer; or
(e) Contrives the escape, elopement or absence of a consumer, is guilty of a misdemeanor, in addition to any other penalties provided by law.
2. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, an employee of a public or private facility offering services for persons with intellectual disabilities or persons with developmental disabilities or any other person, except a consumer, who willfully abuses or neglects a consumer:
(a) For a first violation that does not result in substantial bodily harm to the consumer, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(b) For a first violation that results in substantial bodily harm to the consumer, is guilty of a category B felony.
(c) For a second or subsequent violation, is guilty of a category B felony. A person convicted of a category B felony pursuant to this section shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 6 years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both fine and imprisonment.
3. A person who is convicted pursuant to this section is ineligible for 5 years for appointment to or employment in a position in the state service and, if the person is an officer or employee of the State, the person forfeits his or her office or position.
4. A conviction pursuant to this section is, when applicable, grounds for disciplinary action against the person so convicted and the facility where the violation occurred. The Division may recommend to the appropriate agency or board the suspension or revocation of the professional license, registration, certificate or permit of a person convicted pursuant to this section.
5. For the purposes of this section:
(a) ’Abuse’ means any willful and unjustified infliction of pain, injury or mental anguish upon a consumer, including, but not limited to:
(1) The rape, sexual assault or sexual exploitation of the consumer;
(2) The use of any type of aversive intervention;
(3) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 433.5486, a violation of NRS 433.549; and
(4) The use of physical, chemical or mechanical restraints or the use of seclusion in violation of federal law. Any act which meets the standard of practice for care and treatment does not constitute abuse.
(b) ’Consumer’ includes any person who seeks, on the person’s own or others’ initiative, and can benefit from, care, treatment and training in a public or private institution or facility offering services for persons with intellectual disabilities or persons with developmental disabilities.
(c) ’Neglect’ means any omission to act which causes injury to a consumer or which places the consumer at risk of injury, including, but not limited to, the failure to follow:
(1) An appropriate plan of treatment to which the consumer has consented; and
(2) The policies of the facility for the care and treatment of consumers. Any omission to act which meets the standard of practice for care and treatment does not constitute neglect.
(d) ’Standard of practice’ means the skill and care ordinarily exercised by prudent professional personnel engaged in health care.