S-0543.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5417
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Senators Fraser, Winsley, Wojahn, Oke and Kohl
Read first time 01/23/95. Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
AN ACT Relating to abandonment of dependent persons; adding a new section to chapter 9A.42 RCW; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 9A.42 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A person entrusted with the physical care of a dependent person is guilty of criminal abandonment if he or she knowingly fails to assist the dependent person by withholding any of the basic necessities of life.
(2) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Dependent person" means a person who, because of physical or mental disability, or because of extreme advanced age, is dependent upon another person to provide the basic necessities of life.
(b) "Basic necessities of life" means water, food, shelter, clothing, and health care.
(3) Criminal abandonment is a class C felony.
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