North Carolina General Statutes 48-3-402. Authorization required to transfer physical custody
(a) A health care facility or attending practitioner who has physical custody may release a minor for the purpose of adoption to a prospective adoptive parent or agency not legally entitled to the custody of the minor if, in the presence of an employee of the health care facility or the attending practitioner:
(1) A parent, guardian, or other person or entity having legal custody of the minor signs an authorization of the transfer of physical custody; and
Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 48-3-402
- 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 facility: includes a hospital and maternity home; and
(2) "Attending practitioner" includes a physician, licensed nurse, or other licensed professional provider of health care who assists in a birth. See North Carolina General Statutes 48-3-401
(2) The authorization states that the release is for the purpose of adoption.
(b) The health care facility or attending practitioner shall retain the authorization described in subsection (a) of this section for at least one year. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)