Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 14 Sec. 2661

  • following: when used by way of reference to a section of the law shall mean the next preceding or following section. See
  • 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: shall include any natural person, corporation, municipality, the State of Vermont or any department, agency, or subdivision of the State, and any partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See

§ 2661. Definitions

For the purposes of this article:

(1) “Best interests of the child” means a determination, based on consideration of all relevant factors and available options, of circumstances that will best provide the child with at a minimum all the following:

(A) Adequate food.

(B) Clothing.

(C) Health care.

(D) Any other material needs.

(E) A safe and nurturing environment that meets the child’s present and future developmental needs and promotes appropriate interactions and relationships with family members, foster family, and other people who will play a constructive role in the child’s life.

(F) Support to help the child adjust to home, school, and community.

(2) “Parent” means the parent or parents of a minor.

(3) “Permanent guardian” means one or two adults appointed by the court to act as a parent for a child during the child’s minority.

(4) “Permanent guardianship” means a legal guardianship of a minor that is intended to continue with the same guardian, based on the guardian’s express commitment, for the duration of the child’s minority.

(5) “Relative” means a grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling, first cousin, aunt, uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle, niece, or nephew of a person, whether related to the person by the whole or the half blood, affinity, or adoption. The term does not include a person’s stepparent. (Added 1999, No. 162 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)