45-5-802. Abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect of vulnerable adult -- penalties, MCA

Montana Code Annotated 2025

TITLE 45. CRIMES

CHAPTER 5. OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON

Part 8. Offenses Against Incapacitated Persons and Vulnerable Adults

Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Or Neglect Of Vulnerable Adult -- Penalties

45-5-802. Abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect of vulnerable adult -- penalties. (1) Except as provided in subsection (3), a person who purposely or knowingly abuses, sexually abuses, or neglects a vulnerable adult is guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 10 years and be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000, or both.

(2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (3)(a), a person who negligently abuses a vulnerable adult is, on a first conviction, guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 1 year, or both.

(b) On a second or subsequent conviction of the conduct described in subsection (2)(a), the person is guilty of a felony and shall be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000 or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both.

(3) (a) A person who causes personal degradation to a vulnerable adult in a place where the vulnerable adult has a reasonable expectation of privacy is, on a first conviction, guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.

(b) On a second or subsequent conviction of the conduct described in subsection (3)(a), the person is guilty of a felony and shall be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000 or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both.

(c) A person 18 years of age or older who has a developmental disability as defined in 53-20-102 may not be charged under subsections (2) and (3) of this section.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 484, L. 2025.