§ 750.145nVulnerable adult abuse; first degree; second degree; third degree; fourth

degree; authority to prevent vulnerable adult from being harmed or harming others not
 prohibited; applicability of section to act carried out by patient advocate.
 Sec. 145n.
    (1) A caregiver is guilty of vulnerable adult abuse in the first degree if the caregiver
 intentionally causes serious physical harm or serious mental harm to a vulnerable adult.
 Vulnerable adult abuse in the first degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more
 than 15 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.
    (2) A caregiver or other person with authority over the vulnerable adult is guilty of
 vulnerable adult abuse in the second degree if the reckless act or reckless failure to act of the
 caregiver or other person with authority over the vulnerable adult causes serious physical harm
 or serious mental harm to a vulnerable adult. Vulnerable adult abuse in the second degree is a
 felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than
 $5,000.00, or both.
    (3) A caregiver is guilty of vulnerable adult abuse in the third degree if the caregiver
 intentionally causes physical harm to a vulnerable adult. Vulnerable adult abuse in the third
 degree is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of
 not more than $2,500.00, or both.
    (4) A caregiver or other person with authority over the vulnerable adult is guilty of
 vulnerable adult abuse in the fourth degree if the reckless act or reckless failure to act of the
 caregiver or other person with authority over a vulnerable adult causes physical harm to the
 vulnerable adult or the caregiver or other person with authority over the vulnerable adult
 knowingly or intentionally commits an act that under the circumstances poses an unreasonable
 risk of harm or injury to a vulnerable adult, regardless of whether physical harm results.
 Vulnerable adult abuse in the fourth degree is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for
 not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.
    (5) A caregiver or other person with authority over the vulnerable adult is guilty of
 vulnerable adult abuse in the fourth degree if the caregiver or other person with authority over


                                                                   Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 91 of 2026
Rendered Sunday, September 6, 2026            Page 104 of 465                               Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov

 the vulnerable adult violates subsection (4) and 1 or more of the following circumstances
 apply:
    (a) The caregiver or other person with authority over the vulnerable adult is the spouse or
 former spouse of the victim.
    (b) The caregiver or other person with authority over the vulnerable adult is an individual
 with whom the victim has or has had a dating relationship.
    (c) The caregiver or other person with authority over the vulnerable adult is an individual
 with whom the victim has or has had a child in common.
    (d) The caregiver or other person with authority over the vulnerable adult is a resident or
 former resident of the victim's household.
    (6) A violation of subsection (5) is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more
 than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.
    (7) This section does not prohibit a caregiver or other person with authority over a
 vulnerable adult from taking reasonable action to prevent a vulnerable adult from being
 harmed or from harming others.
    (8) This section does not apply to an act or failure to act that is carried out as directed by a
 patient advocate under a patient advocate designation executed in accordance with sections
 5506 to 5515 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.5506 to
 700.5515.
    (9) As used in this section, "dating relationship" means frequent, intimate associations
 primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional involvement. This term does not
 include a casual relationship or an ordinary fraternization between 2 individuals in a business
 or social context.