Alabama APS


1	State	2018 Statute Number	2018 Statute Language
2	Alabama	Ala. Code § 13A-6-60 Sexual Offenses: Definitions.	The following definitions apply in this article: (1) SEXUAL INTERCOURSE. Such term has its ordinary meaning and occurs upon any penetration, however slight; emission is not required. (2) DEVIATE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE. Any act of sexual gratification between persons not married to each other involving the sex organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another. (3) SEXUAL CONTACT. Any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a person not married to the actor, done for the purpose of gratifying the sexual desire of either party. (4) FEMALE. Any female person. (5) MENTALLY DEFECTIVE. Such term means that a person suffers from a mental disease or defect which renders him incapable of appraising the nature of his conduct. (6) MENTALLY INCAPACITATED. Such term means that a person is rendered temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling his conduct owing to the influence of a narcotic or intoxicating substance administered to him without his consent, or to any other incapacitating act committed upon him without his consent. (7) PHYSICALLY HELPLESS. Such term means that a person is unconscious or for any other reason is physically unable to communicate unwillingness to an act. (8) FORCIBLE COMPULSION. Physical force that overcomes earnest resistance or a threat, express or implied, that places a person in fear of immediate death or serious physical injury to himself or another person.
3		Ala. Code § 13A-6-61 Rape in the first degree.	(a) A person commits the crime of rape in the first degree if: (1) He or she engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex by forcible compulsion; or (2) He or she engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated; or (3) He or she, being 16 years or older, engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is less than 12 years old. (b) Rape in the first degree is a Class A felony.
4		Ala. Code § 13A-6-62 Rape in the second degree.	(a) A person commits the crime of rape in the second degree if: (1) Being 16 years old or older, he or she engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex less than 16 and more than 12 years old; provided, however, the actor is at least two years older than the member of the opposite sex. (2) He or she engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally defective. (b) Rape in the second degree is a Class B felony.
5		Ala. Code § 13A-6-63 Sodomy in the first degree.	(a) A person commits the crime of sodomy in the first degree if: (1) He engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion; or (2) He engages in deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated; or (3) He, being 16 years old or older, engages in deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is less than 12 years old. (b) Sodomy in the first degree is a Class A felony.
6		Ala. Code § 13A-6-64 Sodomy in the second degree.	(a) A person commits the crime of sodomy in the second degree if: (1) He, being 16 years old or older, engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person less than 16 and more than 12 years old. (2) He engages in deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally defective. (b) Sodomy in the second degree is a Class B felony.
7		Ala. Code § 13A-6-65 Sexual misconduct.	(a) A person commits the crime of sexual misconduct if: (1) Being a male, he engages in sexual intercourse with a female without her consent, under circumstances other than those covered by Sections 13A-6-61 and 13A-6-62; or with her consent where consent was obtained by the use of any fraud or artifice; or (2) Being a female, she engages in sexual intercourse with a male without his consent; or (3) He or she engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person under circumstances other than those covered by Sections 13A-6-63 and 13A-6-64. Consent is no defense to a prosecution under this subdivision. (b) Sexual misconduct is a Class A misdemeanor.
8		Ala. Code § 13A-6-65.1 Sexual torture.	(a) A person commits the crime of sexual torture: (1) By penetrating the vagina or anus or mouth of another person with an inanimate object by forcible compulsion with the intent to sexually torture or to sexually abuse. (2) By penetrating the vagina or anus or mouth of a person who is incapable of consent by reason of physical helplessness or mental incapacity with an inanimate object, with the intent to sexually torture or to sexually abuse. (3) By penetrating the vagina or anus or mouth of a person who is less than 12 years old with an inanimate object, by a person who is 16 years old or older with the intent to sexually torture or to sexually abuse. (b) The crime of sexual torture is a Class A felony.
9		Ala. Code § 13A-6-66 Sexual abuse in the first degree.	(a) A person commits the crime of sexual abuse in the first degree if: (1) He subjects another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion; or (2) He subjects another person to sexual contact who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated. (b) Sexual abuse in the first degree is a Class C felony.
10		Ala. Code § 13A-6-67 Sexual abuse in the second degree.	(a) A person commits the crime of sexual abuse in the second degree if: (1) He subjects another person to sexual contact who is incapable of consent by reason of some factor other than being less than 16 years old; or (2) He, being 19 years old or older, subjects another person to sexual contact who is less than 16 years old, but more than 12 years old. (b) Sexual abuse in second degree is a Class A misdemeanor, except that if a person commits a second or subsequent offense of sexual abuse in the second degree within one year of another sexual offense, the offense is a Class C felony.
11		Ala. Code § 13A-6-68 Indecent exposure.	(a) A person commits the crime of indecent exposure if, with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire of himself or of any person other than his spouse, he exposes his genitals under circumstances in which he knows his conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm in any public place or on the private premises of another or so near thereto as to be seen from such private premises. (b) Indecent exposure is a Class A misdemeanor except a third or subsequent conviction shall be a Class C felony.
12		Ala. Code § 13A-6-69 Enticing child to enter vehicle, house, etc., for immoral purposes.	(a) It shall be unlawful for any person with lascivious intent to entice, allure, persuade, or invite, or attempt to entice, allure, persuade, or invite, any child under 16 years of age to enter any vehicle, room, house, office, or other place for the purpose of proposing to such child the performance of an act of sexual intercourse or an act which constitutes the offense of sodomy or for the purpose of proposing the fondling or feeling of the sexual or genital parts of such child or the breast of such child, or for the purpose of committing an aggravated assault on such child, or for the purpose of proposing that such child fondle or feel the sexual or genital parts of such person. (b) A violation of this section is a Class C felony.
13		Ala. Code § 13A-6-69.1 Sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old.	(a) A person commits the crime of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old if he or she, being 16 years old or older, subjects another person who is less than 12 years old to sexual contact. (b) Sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old is a Class B felony.
14		Ala. Code § 13A-6-70 Lack of consent.	(a) Whether or not specifically stated, it is an element of every offense defined in this article, with the exception of subdivision (a)(3) of Section 13A-6-65, that the sexual act was committed without consent of the victim. (b) Lack of consent results from: (1) Forcible compulsion; or (2) Incapacity to consent; or (3) If the offense charged is sexual abuse, any circumstances, in addition to forcible compulsion or incapacity to consent, in which the victim does not expressly or impliedly acquiesce in the actor's conduct. (c) A person is deemed incapable of consent if he is: (1) Less than 16 years old; or (2) Mentally defective; or (3) Mentally incapacitated; or (4) Physically helpless.
15		Ala. Code § 13A-6-71 Foster parent engaging in a sex act, etc., with a foster child.	(a) A person commits the crime of engaging n a sex act with a foster child if he or she is a foster parent and engages in sexual intercourse, as defined by Section 13A-6-60(1), or deviant sexual intercourse, as defined by Section 13A-6-60(2), with a foster child under the age of 19 years who is under his or her care or supervision. Engaging in a sex act with a foster child is a Class B felony. (b) A person commits the crime of engaging in a sexual contact with a foster child if he or she is a foster parent and engages in a sexual contact, pursuant to Section 13A-6-60(3), with a foster child under the age of 19 years who is under his or her care or supervision. Engaging in sexual contact with a foster child is a Class C felony. (c) A person commits the crime of soliciting a sex act or sexual contact with a foster child if he or she is a foster parent and solicits, persuades, encourages, harasses, or entices a foster child under the age of 19 to engage in a sex act including, but not limited to, sexual intercourse, as defined by Section 13A-6-30(1), deviate sexual intercourse, as defined by Section 13A-6-30(2), or sexual contact, as defined by Section 13A-6-30(3). The crime of soliciting a sex act or sexual contact with a foster child is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) Consent is not a defense to a charge under subsections (a), (b), or (c). (e) For the purposes of this section a foster parent is an individual approved or licensed by the Department of Human Resources or other child placing agencies who provides care and supervision to a foster child under the temporary or permanent custody of the department.
16		Ala. Code § 38-9-1 Short Title.	This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Adult Protective Services Act of 1976.
17		Ala. Code § 38-9-2 Definitions.	For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) ABUSE. The infliction of physical pain, injury, or the willful deprivation by a caregiver or other person of services necessary to maintain mental and physical health. (2) ADULT IN NEED OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES. A person 18 years of age or older whose behavior indicates that he or she is mentally incapable of adequately caring for himself or herself and his or her interests without serious consequences to himself or herself or others, or who, because of physical or mental impairment, is unable to protect himself or herself from abuse, neglect, exploitation, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse by others, and who has no guardian, relative, or other appropriate person able, willing, and available to assume the kind and degree of protection and supervision required under the circumstances. (3) CAREGIVER. An individual who has the responsibility for the care of a protected person as a result of family relationship or who has assumed the responsibility for the care of the person voluntarily, by contract, or as a result of the ties of friendship. (4) COURT. The circuit court. (5) DEPARTMENT. The Department of Human Resources of the State of Alabama. (6) EMOTIONAL ABUSE. The willful or reckless infliction of emotional or mental anguish or the use of a physical or chemical restraint, medication, or isolation as punishment or as a substitute for treatment or care of any protected person. (7) EMPLOYEE OF A NURSING HOME. A person permitted to perform work in a nursing home by the nursing home administrator or by a person or an entity with an ownership interest in the facility, or by both. A person shall be considered an employee whether or not he or she receives compensation for the work performed. (8) EXPLOITATION. The expenditure, diminution, or use of the property, assets, or resources of a protected person without the express voluntary consent of that person or his or her legally authorized representative or the admission of or provision of care to a protected person who needs to be in the care of a licensed hospital by an unlicensed hospital after a court order obtained by the State Board of Health has directed closure of the unlicensed hospital. For the purpose of this section and Sections 38-9-6 and 38-9-7, the term "unlicensed hospital" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 22-21-33, and the term "licensed hospital" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 22-21-20. (9) INTENTIONALLY. A person acts intentionally with respect to a result or to conduct described by a statute defining an offense, when his or her purpose is to cause that result or to engage in that conduct. (10) INTERESTED PERSON. Any adult relative, friend, or guardian of a protected person, or any official or representative of a public or private agency, corporation, or association concerned with his or her welfare. (11) MISAPPROPRIATION OF PROPERTY OF A NURSING HOME RESIDENT. The deliberate misplacement or wrongful, temporary, or permanent use or withholding of belongings or money of a resident of a nursing home without the consent of the resident. (12) NEGLECT. The failure of a caregiver to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services, or health care for the person unable to care for himself or herself; or the failure of the person to provide these basic needs for himself or herself when the failure is the result of the person's mental or physical inability. (13) NURSING FACILITY. A facility which is licensed as a nursing home by the Alabama Department of Public Health pursuant to Article 2, Chapter 21, Title 22. (14) OTHER LIKE INCAPACITIES. Those conditions incurred as the result of accident or mental or physical illness, producing a condition which substantially impairs an individual from adequately providing for his or her own care or protecting his or her own interests or protecting himself or herself from physical or mental injury or abuse. (15) PERSON. Any natural human being. (16) PHYSICAL INJURY. Impairment of physical condition or substantial pain. (17) PROTECTED PERSON. Any person over 18 years of age subject to protection under this chapter or any person, including, but not limited to, persons who are senile, persons with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities, or any person over 18 years of age that is mentally or physically incapable of adequately caring for himself or herself and his or her interests without serious consequences to himself or herself or others. (18) PROTECTIVE SERVICES. Those services whose objective is to protect an incapacitated person from himself or herself and from others. (19) RECKLESSLY. A person acts recklessly with respect to a result or to a circumstance described by a statute defining an offense when he or she is aware of and consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the result will occur or that the circumstance exists. The risk shall be of such nature and degree that its disregard constitutes a gross deviation from the standard conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the situation. A person who creates a risk but is unaware of that risk solely by reason of voluntary intoxication, as defined in subdivision (e)(2) of Section 13A-3-2, acts recklessly with respect thereto. (20) SENILITY. Organic brain damage caused by advanced age or other physical illness to the extent that the person so afflicted is substantially impaired in his or her ability to adequately provide for his or her own care. (21) SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. Physical injury which creates a risk of death, or which causes serious and protracted disfigurement, protracted impairment of health, protracted loss of the function of any bodily organ, or the impairment of the function of any bodily organ. (22) SEXUAL ABUSE. Any conduct that is a crime as defined in Sections 13A-6-60 to 13A-6-70, inclusive.
18		Ala. Code § 38-9-3 Legislative findings and intent.	The legislature recognizes that there are many adult citizens of the state who, because of the infirmities of age, disabilities or like incapacities, are in need of protective services. Such services should, to the maximum degree of feasibility, allow the individual the same rights as other citizens, and at the same time protect the individual from exploitation, neglect, abuse and degrading treatment. This chapter is designed to establish those services and assure their availability to all persons when in need of them, and to place the least possible restriction on personal liberty and exercise of constitutional rights consistent with due process and protection from abuse, exploitation and neglect.
19		Ala. Code § 38-9-4 Arrangements for protective services; liability of department for protective services; services to conform to wishes of person to be served; duty of department to ascertain persons in need of care and protection.	(a) Protective services may be arranged when an adult person is in need of care and protection because of danger to his health or safety; provided, that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to mean that the department is chargeable for the cost of such care except where such care is specifically provided for by law or departmental regulations and funding exists for such purpose. All protective services shall be in conformity with the wishes of the person to be served unless the person is unable or unwilling to accept such services, and if the person is unable or unwilling to accept such services, the court may order such services. The department may be required to provide or arrange for services only for persons it is equipped to serve and agrees to serve. (b) The department shall seek out, through investigation, complaints from citizens or otherwise, the adults in the state who are in need of care and protection because of danger to their health or safety, and shall, as far as may be possible, through existing agencies, public or private, or through such other resources as are available, aid such adults to a fair opportunity in life.
20		Ala. Code § 38-9-5 Emergency protective services.	When there is brought to the attention of a county department of human resources a person who is unable, because of physical or mental disabilities, to provide for his basic needs for shelter, food, clothing or health care, and whose health or safety is in immediate danger, the department may arrange for protective services with the consent of the person. If the person is incapable of giving consent or does not consent, the department shall petition the court for an order authorizing the department to arrange for care for such person immediately. Upon a determination by the court that such care is urgently and immediately necessary to protect the health or safety of the person, an appropriate order of the court shall be issued authorizing the department to arrange for the placement of such person in an approved foster home, licensed nursing home or other similar facility immediately. At the proceeding to obtain the necessary order, any relative or other interested person may appear to oppose or join in the petition of the department. In the event of such involuntary protective placement the court shall thereafter, within 10 days, cause notice to be given, as appropriate, to the person, his spouse and other interested persons of the action of the court, the present whereabouts of the person and setting a time for a hearing on the matter of the person's need for protective placement, the appropriateness of the present placement and arrangements for future care.
21		Ala. Code § 38-9-6 Protective placement or other protective services.	(a) An interested person may petition the court to order protective placement or other protective services for an adult in need of protective services. No protective placement or other protective services may be ordered unless there is a determination by the court that the person is unable to provide for his or her own protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse. Upon a petition, setting forth the facts and name, age, sex, and residence of the person, the court of the circuit in which the person resides shall appoint a day, not more than 30 days from the filing of the petition, for the hearing on the petition. If, on the hearing of a petition, the person is not represented by counsel, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent him or her. A jury of six persons shall be impanelled for the hearing to serve as the trier of facts. (b) Costs of court proceedings under this chapter shall be paid as other civil court costs are paid, as provided for by law. (c) The court shall give preference in making a determination to the least drastic alternative considered to be proper under the circumstances, including a preference for noninstitutional care wherever possible. Before ordering the protective placement of any person, the court shall direct a comprehensive evaluation of the adult in need of services, if such an evaluation has not already been made and if it is necessary. The court may utilize available resources in the community in determining the need for placement. The department shall cooperate with the court in securing available resources for the person to be served. A copy of the comprehensive evaluation shall be provided to the guardian or to the guardian ad litem or attorney of the person if a guardian has not been appointed. The court obtaining the evaluation shall request appropriate information which shall include at least the following: (1) The address of the place where the person is residing and the person or agency who is providing services at present, if any. (2) A resume of any professional services provided to the person by the department or other agency in connection with the problems creating a need for placement. (3) A medical, psychological, social, vocational, and educational evaluation and review, where necessary. (d) The department which arranges for a protective placement shall make an evaluation and submit a written report to the court at least once every six months covering the physical, mental, and social condition of each person for whom it is acting and shall recommend an alternative arrangement where appropriate. (e) Any record of the department or other agency pertaining to such a person shall not be open for public inspection. Information in a record shall not be disclosed publicly in such a manner as to identify individuals, but may be made available on application for cause to persons approved by the commissioner of the department or by the court. (f) Placement may be made in an appropriate alternative living arrangement such as a licensed nursing home, licensed personal care facility, or approved foster care home. No person shall be committed to a mental health facility under this chapter. A court may enter orders granting the department additional time to locate an appropriate licensed facility in which to place a person living in an unlicensed facility. (g) If the person is eligible for the adult services program of the department, usual department policies shall be followed in regard to fees or payments, or both. If the person's income or resources, or both, make him or her ineligible for department services other than protective services, payment for services in relation to his or her evaluation, and to his or her care in a protective setting is to be made from his or her income or resources, or both. A guardian, a conservator, or both, may be appointed by the court. The department shall not be appointed as guardian or conservator and shall not be appointed custodian other than for the limited purpose, where appropriate, of transporting an adult for protective placement as ordered by the court. If it is agreeable with the person to be served, the court may appoint a guardian, or conservator, or both, having the same powers, duties, and obligations, including having a bond, as a guardian of an incapacitated person or a conservator under the Alabama Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act and it shall not be necessary to have a hearing on that issue; otherwise, the court may appoint a guardian, a conservator, or both, following the procedures provided by the Alabama Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act. If a jury is requested or required, the jury impanelled in this court according to subsection (a) of this section shall serve that function. (h) When any adult in need of protective services is unable to manage his or her estate and because of the inability is in danger of being reduced to poverty and want, an interested person may petition the court to preserve the estate of the person, to direct use of the estate for the needs of the person, and for the general relief of the person. (i) No civil rights are relinquished as a result of any protective placement under this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize or require medical care or treatment for a person in contravention of his or her stated or implied objection upon the grounds that the medical care and treatment conflict with his or her religious beliefs and practices. (j) As far as is compatible with the mental and physical condition of the adult in need of services or claimed to be in need of services under this chapter, every reasonable effort shall be made to assure that no action is taken without the full and informed consent of the person. (k) To promote coordination, placement, and service delivery for persons living in unlicensed facilities and needing placement in a licensed facility, the department shall establish a coordinating council composed of representatives of interested state and local agencies including the state Department of Public Health and the state Department of Mental Health. The council shall also include representatives from the Alabama Nursing Home Association, Alabama Assisted Living Association, Alabama Hospital Association, and other interested persons, agencies, or groups as determined by commissioner. The council shall meet at times designated by the commissioner for coordination purposes identified by the commissioner including identifying resources and placements, increasing needed supportive services, and assuring maximum community coordination of effort in placing in a licensed facility persons living in an unlicensed facility.
22		Ala. Code § 38-9-7 Violations; penalties.	(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to abuse, neglect, exploit, or emotionally abuse any protected person. For purposes of this section, residence in a nursing home, mental institution, developmental center for people with an intellectual disability, or other convalescent care facility shall be prima facie evidence that a person is a protected person. Charges of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or emotional abuse may be initiated upon complaints of private individuals, as a result of investigations by social service agencies, or on the direct initiative of law enforcement officials. (b) Any person who intentionally abuses or neglects a person in violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class B felony if the intentional abuse or neglect causes serious physical injury. (c) Any person who recklessly abuses or neglects a person in violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class C felony if the reckless abuse or neglect causes serious physical injury. (d) Any person who intentionally abuses or neglects a person in violation of this chapter, shall be guilty of a Class C felony if the intentional abuse or neglect causes physical injury. (e) Any person who recklessly abuses or neglects a person in violation of this chapter, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor if the reckless abuse or neglect causes physical injury. (f) Any person who emotionally abuses a person in violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. (g) Any person who exploits a person in violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class C felony, where the value of the property, assets, or resources or illegal services provided to a protected person by an unlicensed hospital exceeds one hundred dollars ($100). (h) Any person who exploits a person in violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, if the value of the property, assets, or resources or illegal services provided to a protected person by an unlicensed hospital does not exceed one hundred dollars ($100). (i) If a violation of this section is also a violation of any other Alabama criminal statute, then a conviction or acquittal under either statute bars prosecution under the remaining statute.
23		Ala. Code § 38-9-8 Reports by physicians, etc., of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, or exploitation - Required; contents; investigation.	(a) All physicians and other practitioners of the healing arts or any caregiver having reasonable cause to believe that any protected person has been subjected to physical abuse, neglect, exploitation, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse shall report or cause a report to be made as follows: (1) An oral report, by telephone or otherwise, shall be made immediately, followed by a written report, to the county department of human resources or to the chief of police of the city or city and county, or to the sheriff of the county if the observation is made in an unincorporated territory, except that reports of a nursing home employee who abuses, neglects, or misappropriates the property of a nursing home resident shall be made to the Department of Public Health. The requirements to report suspicion of suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property of a nursing home resident by an employee of a nursing home shall be deemed satisfied if the report is made in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Health. (2) Within seven days following an oral report, an investigation of any alleged abuse, neglect, exploitation, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse shall be made by the county department of human resources or the law enforcement official, whichever receives the report, and a written report prepared which includes the following: a. Name, age, and address of the person. b. Nature and extent of injury suffered by the person. c. Any other facts or circumstances known to the reporter which may aid in the determination of appropriate action. (b) All reports prepared by a law enforcement official shall be forwarded to the county department of human resources within 24 hours. (c) The county department of human resources shall not be required to investigate any report of abuse, neglect, exploitation, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse that occurs in any facility owned and operated by the Alabama Department of Corrections or the Alabama Department of Mental Health. (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Department of Public Health shall investigate all reports that a nursing home employee has abused or neglected a nursing home resident, or misappropriated the property of a nursing home resident, in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Health and the federal regulations and guidelines of the Medicaid and Medicare programs. The Department of Public Health shall investigate the complaints in accordance with the procedures and time frames established by the agency. A county department of human resources shall not be required to investigate the complaints.
24		Ala. Code § 38-9-9 Reports by physicians, etc., of physical abuse, neglect or exploitation - Immunity of reporter from civil and criminal liability.	Any person, firm or corporation making or participating in the making of a report pursuant to this chapter or participating in a judicial proceeding resulting therefrom shall in so doing be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.
25		Ala. Code § 38-9-10 Reports by physicians, etc., of physical abuse, neglect or exploitation - Penalty for failure to make report.	Any physician or other practitioner of the healing arts who shall knowingly fail to make the report required by this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment for not more than six months or a fine of not more than $500.00.
26		Ala. Code § 38-9-11 Exemption of officers, agents and employees of department from civil liability.	Any officer, agent or employee of the department, in the good faith exercise of his duties under this chapter, shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of his acts or omissions in rendering assistance or care to any person.