### Question
How is the term neglect defined?


### Answer
The term **neglect** is defined in *42 U.S.C. § 10802* as the following:

> a negligent act or omission by any individual responsible for providing services in a facility rendering care or treatment which caused or may have caused injury or death to a [1](#10802_1_target) individual with mental illness or which placed a [1](#10802_1_target) individual with mental illness at risk of injury or death, and includes an act or omission such as the failure to establish or carry out an appropriate individual program plan or treatment plan for a [1](#10802_1_target) individual with mental illness, the failure to provide adequate nutrition, clothing, or health care to a [1](#10802_1_target) individual with mental illness, or the failure to provide a safe environment for a [1](#10802_1_target) individual with mental illness, including the failure to maintain adequate numbers of appropriately trained staff

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 10802*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 114-PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS > SUBCHAPTER I-PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEMS > Part A-Establishment of Systems**

