§ 42-66-9 - Obstruction of provision of services. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 42-66-9

   § 42-66-9  Obstruction of provision ofservices. – (a) No person shall obstruct the provision of available and existing servicesto a person sixty (60) years of age or older who has been abused, neglected,exploited or who is self-neglecting. For the purposes of this section,"obstruction" shall mean threats, intimidation, assaults and/or abuse, whetherphysical or emotional, made with the intent to prevent or dissuade therecipient or proposed recipient from accepting, requesting, and/or receivingservices available under § 42-66-8. Any person who violates the provisionsof this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundreddollars ($500).

   (b) However, nothing in this chapter is construed to mean aperson is abused, neglected, exploited or is self-neglecting for the solereason that person is being furnished or relies upon treatment by spiritualmeans through prayer alone in accordance with the tenets and practices of achurch or religious denomination recognized by the laws of this state.

   (c) No person shall deny access to a person sixty (60) yearsof age or older who is alleged to be a victim of abuse, neglect, exploitationor who is self-neglecting, while the staff person is investigating a reportmade under this chapter.