Subdivision 1.Scope.

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given.

Subd. 2.Abandonment.

Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 257D.01

  • Adult: means an individual 18 years of age or older. See Minnesota Statutes 645.451
  • 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.
  • Person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44

“Abandonment” means the parent’s failure to maintain contact with an at-risk juvenile on a regular basis or to demonstrate consistent interest in an at-risk juvenile’s well-being beginning at least six months prior to the at-risk juvenile reaching the age of 18, or the death of an at-risk juvenile’s parent.

Subd. 3.Abuse.

“Abuse” means, at any time in an at-risk juvenile’s life, the infliction or threat of:

(1) psychological or emotional harm;

(2) physical injury that was not due to an accident; or

(3) sexual abuse, which includes sex trafficking as defined in section 609.321, subdivision 7a.

Subd. 4.At-risk juvenile.

“At-risk juvenile” means an unmarried person who is between the ages of 18 and 21 and is potentially eligible for classification under United States Code, title 8, § 1101(a)(27)(J), as amended through December 31, 2021.

Subd. 5.Best interests.

“Best interests” has the meaning given in section 260C.511, paragraph (a).

Subd. 6.Guardian.

“Guardian” means an adult who has been appointed by the court as the guardian of an at-risk juvenile under this chapter. A guardian includes but is not limited to a parent.

Subd. 7.Mental injury.

“Mental injury” has the meaning given in section 260E.03, subdivision 13.

Subd. 8.Neglect.

“Neglect” means, at any time prior to an at-risk juvenile reaching the age of 18, the failure to give an at-risk juvenile proper care that causes the juvenile’s health or welfare to be harmed or placed at substantial risk of harm or causes mental injury or a substantial risk of mental injury.

Subd. 9.Petitioner.

“Petitioner” means the at-risk juvenile who is the subject of the petition.