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Withdrawal of life support systems. <br /> Section 2 of this ordinance does not apply to decisions to withdraw life support systems <br /> made in accordance with Chapter 7.70 or 70.122 RCW by the dependent person, his or <br /> her legal surrogate, or others with a legal duty to care for the dependent person. <br /> Section 4: <br /> Palliative care for terminally ill persons. <br /> Section 2 of this ordinance does not apply when a terminally ill or permanently <br /> unconscious person or his or her legal surrogate, as set forth in Chapter 7.70 RCW, <br /> requests, and the person receives, palliative care from a licensed home health agency, <br /> hospice agency, nursing home, or hospital providing care under the medical direction of a <br /> physician. As used in this section, the terms "terminally ill" and "permanently <br /> unconscious" have the same meaning as "terminal condition" and "permanent <br /> unconscious condition" in Chapter 70.122 RCW. <br /> Section 5: <br /> Defense of financial instability. <br /> In any prosecution for criminal mistreatment, it shall be a defense that the withholding of <br /> the basic necessities of life is due to financial inability only if the person charged has <br /> made a reasonable effort to obtain adequate assistance. This defense is available to a <br /> person employed to provide the basic necessities of life only when the agreed-upon <br /> payment has not been made. <br /> Section 6: <br /> Abandonment of a dependent person. <br /> A. A person is guilty of the crime of abandonment of a dependent person if: <br /> 1. The person is the parent of a child, a person entrusted with the physical custody of <br /> a child or other dependent person, or a person employed to provide to the child or <br /> dependent person any of the basic necessities of life; and <br /> 2. The person recklessly abandons the child or other dependent person; and: <br /> (a) As a result of being abandoned, the child or other dependent person suffers <br /> bodily harm; or <br /> (b) Abandoning the child or other dependent person creates an imminent and <br /> substantial risk that the child or other person will suffer substantial bodily harm. <br /> B. Abandonment of a dependent person is a gross misdemeanor. <br /> 3 <br />