North Carolina § 32A-29 - Definitions.

§ 32A-29. Definitions.

As used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the term: "Agent" means the person authorized pursuant to this Article to consent to and authorize health care for a minor child. "Authorization to consent to health care for minor" means a written instrument, signed by the custodial parent and acknowledged before a notary public, pursuant to which the custodial parent authorizes an agent to authorize and consent to health care for the minor child of the custodial parent, and which substantially meets the requirements of this Article. "Custodial parent" means a parent having sole or joint legal custody of that parent's minor child. "Health care" means any care, treatment, service or procedure to maintain, diagnose, treat, or provide for a minor child's physical or mental or personal care and comfort, including life sustaining procedures and dental care. "Life sustaining procedures" are those forms of care or treatment which only serve to artificially prolong life and may include mechanical ventilation, dialysis, antibiotics, artificial nutrition and hydration, and other forms of treatment which sustain, restore, or supplant vital bodily functions, but do not include care necessary to provide comfort or to alleviate pain. "Minor or minor child" means an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years and who has not been emancipated. History (1993, c. 150, s. 1.)