14 V.S.A. § 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.