A person shall not be considered to commit an offense of abuse or neglect under this chapter for the sole reason that he provides or permits to be provided treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with a religious method of healing, in lieu of medical treatment, to the vulnerable adult or elderly person to whom he has a duty of care with the express consent or in accordance with the practice of the vulnerable adult or elderly person.
(June 8, 2001, D.C. Law 13-301, § 205, 47 DCR 7039; Nov. 23, 2016, D.C. Law 21-166, § 3(f), 63 DCR 10733.)