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Legal Statutes: Delaware

UPDATED December 2, 2012

Delaware Statutes


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Subchapter I. Definitions and Jurisdiction

back to top§ 2302. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context indicates differently:

(1) “Abuse” or “abused child” is as defined in § 901 of Title 10.

(2) “Adult” means a person who has reached his or her 18th birthday.

(3) “Best interests” is as defined in § 722 of this title.

(4) “Child” or “children” means persons who have not reached their 18th birthday.

(5) “Court” means the Family Court.

(6) “Department” means the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families.

(7) “Dependency” or “dependent child” is as defined in § 901 of Title 10.

(8) “Division” means the Division of Family Services of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families.

(9) “Foster parent” means an individual or couple who has been approved by the Department or a licensed agency to provide foster care in exchange for foster care payments provided by the Department or a licensed agency.

(10) “Guardian ad litem” means an individual appointed by the Court to represent the best interests of a child, whether or not that reflects the wishes of the child, who by that individual’s appointment shall be a party to the child welfare proceeding.

(11) “Guardian” means a nonparent or an agency charged with caring for a child during the child's minority.

(12) “Neglect” or “neglected child” is as defined in § 901 of Title 10.

(13) “Parent” is as defined by § 8-201 of this title.

(14) “Parental responsibilities” means the care, support and control of the child in a manner that provides for the child's necessary physical needs, including adequate food, clothing and shelter, and that also provides for the mental and emotional health and development of such child.

(15) “Permanency” means the safe, stable, custodial environment in which a child is raised and the life-long relationship that child establishes with a nurturing caregiver.
73 Laws 2001, ch. 150, § 1, eff. July 10, 2001. Amended by 76 Laws 2007, ch. 136, §§ 9-12, eff. July 12, 2007; 77 Laws 2009, ch. 97, § 4, eff. July 7, 2009.