Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes > Chapter 431 > Article 3 > Part I - Definitions

• Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
• Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
• Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
• Attending provider: means a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 453 or advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 457 who has responsibility for the care of the patient and treatment of the patient's terminal disease. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1
• Attorney-in-fact: A person who, acting as an agent, is given written authorization by another person to transact business for him (her) out of court.
• Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
• Capable: means that in the opinion of the patient's attending provider or consulting provider, psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker, a patient has the ability to understand the patient's choices for care, including risks and benefits, and make and communicate health care decisions to health care providers. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Consulting provider: means a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 453 who is qualified by specialty or experience to make a professional diagnosis and prognosis regarding the patient's disease or advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 457 who is qualified by specialty or experience to diagnose and prescribe medication. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
• Counseling: means one or more consultations, which may be provided through telehealth, as necessary between a psychiatrist licensed under chapter 453, psychologist licensed under chapter 465, clinical social worker licensed pursuant to chapter 467E, advanced practice registered nurse or clinical nurse specialist licensed under chapter 457 with psychiatric or mental health training, or marriage and family therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 451J, and a patient for the purpose of determining that the patient is capable, and that the patient does not appear to be suffering from undertreatment or nontreatment of depression or other conditions that may interfere with the patient's ability to make an informed decision pursuant to this chapter. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1
• county: includes the city and county of Honolulu. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 1-22
• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Department: means the department of health. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
• Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
• Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
• Health care provider: means a person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized or permitted by the law of this State to administer health care or dispense medication in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1
• Informed decision: means a decision by a qualified patient to request and obtain a prescription to end the qualified patient's life pursuant to this chapter. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). ^{Source: OCC}
• Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
• Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
• Patient: means a person who is under the care of an attending provider. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1
• Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. ^{Source: OCC}
• Prescription: means prescription medication or medications that the qualified patient may self-administer to end the qualified patient's life pursuant to this chapter. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1
• Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
• Qualified patient: means a capable adult who is a resident of the State and has satisfied the requirements of this chapter in order to obtain a prescription to end the qualified patient's life pursuant to this chapter. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1
• Rescission: The cancellation of budget authority previously provided by Congress. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifies that the President may propose to Congress that funds be rescinded. If both Houses have not approved a rescission proposal (by passing legislation) within 45 days of continuous session, any funds being withheld must be made available for obligation.
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
• Terminal disease: means an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgment, produce death within six months. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 327L-1