As used in the Office of Child Advocate Act:

1. A. "child in custody" means a minor who is placed by the department in custodial or residential care, including foster care, kinship care or care within a group home, a residential treatment center, a juvenile justice facility, a semi-independent living program or an emergency shelter, pursuant to a court order or otherwise sanctioned by the court and does not live with either of the child's birth parents;
2. B. "committee" means the state child advocate selection committee;
3. C. "department" means the children, youth and families department;

4. D. "near fatality" means an injury or condition caused by abuse or neglect that results in a child:

   1. (1) being placed in serious or critical condition, as certified by a licensed physician; and
   2. (2) receiving critical care for at least twenty-four hours following the child's admission to a critical care unit; and
5. E. "office" means the office of child advocate.

History: Laws 2025, ch. 13, § 2.

ANNOTATIONS

Effective dates. — Laws 2025, ch. 13, § 19 made Laws 2025, ch. 13, § 2 effective July 1, 2025.