As used in ORS 124.050 to 124.095:
(1) “Abuse” means one or more of the following:
- (a) Any physical injury to an elderly person caused by other than accidental means, or which appears to be at variance with the explanation given of the injury.
- (b) Neglect.
- (c) Abandonment, including desertion or willful forsaking of an elderly person or the withdrawal or neglect of duties and obligations owed an elderly person by a caretaker or other person.
- (d) Willful infliction of physical pain or injury upon an elderly person.
- (e) An act that constitutes a crime under ORS 163.375, 163.405, 163.411, 163.415, 163.425, 163.427, 163.465, 163.467 or 163.525.
- (f) Verbal abuse.
- (g) Financial exploitation.
- (h) Sexual abuse.
- (i) Involuntary seclusion of an elderly person for the convenience of a caregiver or to discipline the person.
- (j) A wrongful use of a physical or chemical restraint of an elderly person, excluding an act of restraint prescribed by a physician licensed under ORS chapter 677 and any treatment activities that are consistent with an approved treatment plan or in connection with a court order.
- (2) “Elderly person” means any person 65 years of age or older who is not subject to the provisions of ORS 441.640 to 441.665.
(3) “Facility” means:
- (a) A long term care facility as that term is defined in ORS 442.015.
- (b) A residential facility as that term is defined in ORS 443.400, including but not limited to an assisted living facility.
- (c) An adult foster home as that term is defined in ORS 443.705.
(4) “Financial exploitation” means:
- (a) Wrongfully taking the assets, funds or property belonging to or intended for the use of an elderly person or a person with a disability.
- (b) Alarming an elderly person or a person with a disability by conveying a threat to wrongfully take or appropriate money or property of the person if the person would reasonably believe that the threat conveyed would be carried out.
- (c) Misappropriating, misusing or transferring without authorization any money from any account held jointly or singly by an elderly person or a person with a disability.
- (d) Failing to use the income or assets of an elderly person or a person with a disability effectively for the support and maintenance of the person.
- (5) “Intimidation” means compelling or deterring conduct by threat.
(6) “Law enforcement agency” means:
- (a) Any city or municipal police department.
- (b) Any county sheriff’s office.
- (c) The Oregon State Police.
- (d) Any district attorney.
- (e) A police department established by a university under ORS 352.121 or 353.125.
- (7) “Neglect” means failure to provide basic care or services that are necessary to maintain the health or safety of an elderly person.
(8) “Person with a disability” means a person described in:
- (a) ORS 410.040 (7); or
- (b) ORS 410.715.
(9) “Public or private official” means:
- (a) Physician or physician associate licensed under ORS chapter 677, naturopathic physician or chiropractor, including any intern or resident.
- (b) Licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse’s aide, home health aide or employee of an in-home health service.
- (c) Employee of the Department of Human Services or community developmental disabilities program.
- (d) Employee of the Oregon Health Authority, local health department or community mental health program.
- (e) Peace officer.
- (f) Member of the clergy.
- (g) Regulated social worker.
- (h) Physical, speech or occupational therapist.
- (i) Senior center employee.
- (j) Information and referral or outreach worker.
- (k) Licensed professional counselor or licensed marriage and family therapist.
- (L) Elected official of a branch of government of this state or a state agency, board, commission or department of a branch of government of this state or of a city, county or other political subdivision in this state.
- (m) Firefighter or emergency medical services provider.
- (n) Psychologist.
- (o) Provider of adult foster care or an employee of the provider.
- (p) Audiologist.
- (q) Speech-language pathologist.
- (r) Attorney.
- (s) Dentist.
- (t) Optometrist.
- (u) Chiropractor.
- (v) Personal support worker, as defined in ORS 410.600.
- (w) Home care worker, as defined in ORS 410.600.
- (x) Referral agent, as defined in ORS 443.370.
- (y) A person providing agency with choice services under ORS 427.181 or 443.360.
- (10) “Services” includes but is not limited to the provision of food, clothing, medicine, housing, medical services, assistance with bathing or personal hygiene or any other service essential to the well-being of an elderly person.
(11)
(a) “Sexual abuse” means:
- (A) Sexual contact with an elderly person who does not consent or is considered incapable of consenting to a sexual act under ORS 163.315;
- (B) Verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature, including but not limited to severe or pervasive exposure to sexually explicit material or language;
- (C) Sexual exploitation;
- (D) Any sexual contact between an employee of a facility or paid caregiver and an elderly person served by the facility or caregiver; or
- (E) Any sexual contact that is achieved through force, trickery, threat or coercion.
(b) “Sexual abuse” does not mean consensual sexual contact between an elderly person and:
- (A) An employee of a facility who is also the spouse of the elderly person; or
- (B) A paid caregiver.
- (12) “Sexual contact” has the meaning given that term in ORS 163.305.
(13) “Verbal abuse” means to threaten significant physical or emotional harm to an elderly person or a person with a disability through the use of:
- (a) Derogatory or inappropriate names, insults, verbal assaults, profanity or ridicule; or
- (b) Harassment, coercion, threats, intimidation, humiliation, mental cruelty or inappropriate sexual comments.
[Formerly 410.610; 1999 c.463 §6; 2001 c.104 §36; 2005 c.671 §4; 2007 c.70 §29; 2009 c.442 §33; 2009 c.595 §84; 2009 c.708 §1; 2009 c.837 §9; 2011 c.36 §3; 2011 c.506 §5; 2011 c.703 §23; 2013 c.129 §23; 2013 c.180 §7; 2013 c.352 §5; 2014 c.104 §9; 2015 c.179 §2; 2015 c.416 §1; 2015 c.736 §49; 2017 c.656 §4; 2018 c.75 §§7,8; 2021 c.251 §1; 2022 c.91 §7; 2024 c.37 §4; 2024 c.73 §32]