(1) Any person having any patient trust funds in his or her possession, custody, or control, who, knowing that he or she is violating any statute, regulation, or agreement, deliberately fails to deposit, transfer, or maintain said funds in a separate, designated, trust bank account as required by such statute, regulation, or agreement shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment for up to three hundred sixty-four days in the county jail, or by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars or as authorized by RCW 9A.20.030, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) "Patient trust funds" are funds received by any health care facility which belong to patients and are required by any state or federal statute, regulation, or by agreement to be kept in a separate trust bank account for the benefit of such patients.
(3) This section shall not be construed to prevent a prosecution for theft.
[ 2011 c 96 § 54; 1979 ex.s. c 152 § 8.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2011 c 96: See note following RCW 9A.20.021.