Alaska § 25.23.240 - Definitions.

§ 25.23.240. Definitions.

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires,        (1) “adult” means an individual who has reached the age of majority;

 (2) “agency” means any person certified, licensed, or otherwise specially empowered by law or regulation to place minors for adoption;

 (3) “child” means a son or daughter, whether by birth or by adoption;

 (4) “commissioner” means the commissioner of family and community services;

 (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) “department” means the Department of Family and Community Services;

 (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) “minor” means a person who has not reached the age of majority;

 (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) “sexual assault” means a sexual offense defined in AS 11.41.410 — 11.41.427;

 (11) “stepparent” means the spouse of a natural parent of the child residing in the same household.