§ 32A-29. Definitions. - North Carolina Statutes

§32A‑29.  Definitions.

As used in this Article,unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the term:

(1)        "Agent"means the person authorized pursuant to this Article to consent to andauthorize health care for a minor child.

(2)        "Authorizationto consent to health care for minor" means a written instrument, signed bythe custodial parent and acknowledged before a notary public, pursuant to whichthe custodial parent authorizes an agent to authorize and consent to healthcare for the minor child of the custodial parent, and which substantially meetsthe requirements of this Article.

(3)        "Custodialparent" means a parent having sole or joint legal custody of that parent'sminor child.

(4)        "Healthcare" means any care, treatment, service or procedure to maintain,diagnose, treat, or provide for a minor child's physical or mental or personalcare and comfort, including life sustaining procedures and dental care.

(5)        "Lifesustaining procedures" are those forms of care or treatment which onlyserve to artificially prolong life and may include mechanical ventilation,dialysis, antibiotics, artificial nutrition and hydration, and other forms oftreatment which sustain, restore, or supplant vital bodily functions, but donot include care necessary to provide comfort or to alleviate pain.

(6)        "Minor or minorchild" means an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years andwho has not been emancipated. (1993, c. 150.)