§16-5D-18. Separate accounts for residents' personal funds; consent for use; records; penalties.

(a) Each assisted living residence subject to the provisions of this article shall hold in a separate account and in trust each resident's personal funds deposited with the assisted living residence.

(b) No person may use or cause to be used for any purpose the personal funds of any resident admitted to any assisted living residence unless consent for the use thereof has been obtained from the resident or from a committee or guardian or relative.

(c) Each assisted living residence shall maintain a true and complete record of all receipts for any disbursements from the personal funds account of each resident in the assisted living residence, including the purpose and payee of each disbursement, and shall render a true account of the record to the resident or his or her representative upon demand and upon termination of the resident's stay in the assisted living residence.

(d) Any person or corporation who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned in jail not more than one year, or both fined and imprisoned.