In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires,

1. (1) “adult” means an individual who has reached the age of majority;
2. (2) “agency” means any person certified, licensed, or otherwise specially empowered by law or regulation to place minors for adoption;
3. (3) “child” means a son or daughter, whether by birth or by adoption;
4. (4) “commissioner” means the commissioner of family and community services;
5. (5) “court” means the superior court of this state, and, when the context requires, the court of another state empowered to grant petitions for adoption or guardianship or to terminate parental rights;
6. (6) “department” means the Department of Family and Community Services;
7. (7) “hard-to-place child” means a minor who is not likely to be adopted or to obtain a guardian by reason of physical or mental disability, emotional disturbance, recognized high risk of physical or mental disease, age, membership in a sibling group, racial or ethnic factors, or any combination of these conditions;
8. (8) “minor” means a person who has not reached the age of majority;
9. (9) “sexual abuse of a minor” means a sexual offense defined in AS 11.41.434, 11.41.436, 11.41.438, or 11.41.440;
10. (10) “sexual assault” means a sexual offense defined in AS 11.41.410 — 11.41.427;
11. (11) “stepparent” means the spouse of a natural parent of the child residing in the same household.