Virginia Code 2.2-438: Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless context requires another meaning:
Terms Used In Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Child: means an individual under the age of 18. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Child-placing agency: means (i) any person who places children in foster homes, adoptive homes, or independent living arrangements pursuant to § 63. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- City: means an independent incorporated community which became a city as provided by law before noon on July 1, 1971, or which has within defined boundaries a population of 5,000 or more and which has become a city as provided by law. See Virginia Code 1-208
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Department: means the Department of Social Services. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Foster care: means care provided to a child by a foster parent, children's residential facility, or group home licensed or approved by the Department under Chapter 9 of Title 63. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Includes: means includes, but not limited to. See Virginia Code 1-218
- Law-enforcement agency: means any crime victim and witness assistance program whose funding is provided in whole or in part by grants administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services pursuant to § 9. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Local department: means the local department of social services of any county or city in the Commonwealth. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Locality: means a county, city, or town as the context may require. See Virginia Code 1-221
- Office: means the Office of the Children's Ombudsman established under § 2. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Ombudsman: means the individual appointed to head the Office of the Children's Ombudsman under § 2. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
- Process: includes subpoenas, the summons and complaint in a civil action, and process in statutory actions. See Virginia Code 1-237
- State: when applied to a part of the United States, includes any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands. See Virginia Code 1-245
- state agency: means the same as that term is defined in § 2. See Virginia Code 1-206
“Abused or neglected child” means the same as that term is defined in § 63.2-100.
“Administrative act” includes an action, omission, decision, recommendation, practice, or other procedure of the Department, a local department, or a child-placing agency with respect to a particular child related to adoption, foster care, or protective services.
“Central registry” means the system maintained at the Department of Social Services pursuant to § 63.2-1515.
“Child” means an individual under the age of 18.
“Child-placing agency” means (i) any person who places children in foster homes, adoptive homes, or independent living arrangements pursuant to § 63.2-1819; (ii) a local board that places children in foster homes or adoptive homes pursuant to §§ 63.2-900, 63.2-903, and 63.2-1221; or (iii) an entity that assists parents with the process of delegating parental and legal custodial powers of their children pursuant to Chapter 10 of Title 20. “Child-placing agency” does not include the persons to whom such parental or legal custodial powers are delegated pursuant to Chapter 10 of Title 20. Officers, employees, or agents of the Commonwealth or any locality thereof, acting within the scope of their authority as such, who serve as or maintain a child-placing agency shall not be required to be licensed.
“Children’s Ombudsman” or “Ombudsman” means the individual appointed to head the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman under § 2.2-439.
“Children’s residential facility” means the same as that term is defined in § 63.2-100.
“Child-serving agency” means (i) a state agency that provides services to children, including the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Social Services, and the Office of Children’s Services, and (ii) a local entity that provides services to children and that receives funding from a state agency under clause (i). “Child-serving agency” does not include any law-enforcement agency.
“Complainant” means an individual who makes a complaint pursuant to § 2.2-441.
“Department” means the Department of Social Services.
“Foster care” means care provided to a child by a foster parent, children’s residential facility, or group home licensed or approved by the Department under Chapter 9 of Title 63.2; care provided to a child in a relative’s home under a court order; or any other care provided at the time the child’s custody has been given to a government agency.
“Law-enforcement agency” means any crime victim and witness assistance program whose funding is provided in whole or in part by grants administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services pursuant to § 9.1-104, any state or local police or sheriff’s department, any office of an attorney for the Commonwealth, or the Office of the Attorney General.
“Local department” means the local department of social services of any county or city in the Commonwealth.
“Office” means the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman established under § 2.2-439.