Current through codified legislation effective October 30, 2024
Section 22-3015 - First degree sexual abuse of a patient or client(a) A person is guilty of first degree sexual abuse who purports to provide, in any manner, professional services of a medical, therapeutic, or counseling (whether legal, spiritual, or otherwise) nature, and engages in a sexual act with another person who is a patient or client of the actor, or is otherwise in a professional relationship of trust with the actor; and (1) The actor represents falsely that the sexual act is for a bona fide medical or therapeutic purpose, or for a bona fide professional purpose for which the services are being provided;(2) The nature of the treatment or service provided by the actor and the mental, emotional, or physical condition of the patient or client are such that the actor knows or has reason to know that the patient or client is impaired from declining participation in the sexual act;(3) The actor represents falsely that he or she is licensed as a particular type of professional; or(4) The sexual act occurs during the course of a consultation, examination, treatment, therapy, or other provision of professional services.(b) Any person found guilty pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years and, in addition, may be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01.May 23, 1995, D.C. Law 10-257, § 214, 42 DCR 53; May 17, 1996, D.C. Law 11-119, § 6(b), 43 DCR 528; Apr. 24, 2007, D.C. Law 16-306, § 216(i), 53 DCR 8610; June 11, 2013, D.C. Law 19-317, § 232(q), 60 DCR 2064.Applicability of D.C. Law 19-317: Section 401 of D.C. Law 19-317 provided that the act shall apply only to offenses committed on or after June 11, 2013.