Except where the context clearly indicates otherwise in this Chapter:

            (1) “Court” means any court which is exercising juvenile jurisdiction pursuant to the Constitution of Louisiana and the Children’s Code. If any court is comprised of separate divisions or sections, each such division or section shall be deemed a court for the purposes of this Chapter. Where applicable, “court” shall refer to the particular court which exercises juvenile jurisdiction over the child whose case is to be reviewed.

            (2) “Department” means the Department of Children and Family Services.

            (3) “Foster care” means the provision of temporary twenty-four hour care for a child for a planned period of time, when the child is placed away from his parents or other person acting as his parent, and when the child is placed in a foster family home, group home, or other child caring facility, but remains under the supervision of the department.

            (4) “Mature child” means a child who is able to understand the circumstances and implications of the situation in which he is involved and is able to participate in the decision-making process without excessive anxiety or fear. A child who is fourteen years of age or older is presumed to be a mature child.

            (5) “Parent” means the biological or adoptive parent whose parental rights toward the child have not been terminated.

            (6) “Records” means any information in written form, pictures, photographs, charts, graphs, recordings, or documents pertaining to the case being reviewed.

            Added by Acts 1983, No. 610, §1, eff. July 1, 1984; Acts 2021, No. 158, §6.