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Washington legal term

Vulnerable individual in Washington Criminal Law

Current through 2026 Washington legislative session

In Washington criminal law, “Vulnerable individual” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Washington criminal code.

What does “Vulnerable individual” mean in Washington criminal law?

"Vulnerable individual" means a person: (a) Sixty years of age or older who has the functional, mental, or physical inability to care for himself or herself; (b) Who has been placed under a guardianship under RCW 11.130.265 or has been placed under a conservatorship under RCW 11.130.360; (c) Who has a developmental disability as defined under RCW 71A.10.020; (d) Admitted to any facility; (e) Receiving services from home health, hospice, or home care agencies licensed or required to be licensed under chapter 70.127 RCW; (f) Receiving services from an individual provider as defined in RCW 74.39A (RCW 9.35.005)

Statutes defining or using this term

Charges using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.