11 Pa. Stat. § 2632

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 2632 - Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Child in foster care." An individual who was adjudicated dependent before reaching 18 years of age and who:

(1) has not reached 18 years of age and is in placement; or
(2) is in placement after reaching 18 years of age and while engaged in a course of instruction or treatment requests the court to retain jurisdiction until the course of instruction or treatment is completed, but in no event shall the court maintain jurisdiction after the individual reaches 21 years of age.

"Corporal punishment." A form of physical discipline in which an individual is spanked, paddled or hit on any part of the body with a hand or instrument.

"County agency." A county children and youth social service agency established under section 405 of the act of June 24, 1937 (P.L. 2017, No. 396), known as the County Institution District Law, and supervised by the Department of Public Welfare under Article IX of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L. 31, No. 21), known as the Public Welfare Code.

"Department." The Department of Public Welfare of the Commonwealth.

"Members of an integrated children's services planning team." The term includes a public or private children and youth caseworker, juvenile probation officer, mental health caseworker, mental retardation caseworker and any other individual who is considered to be a part of a services planning team specific to a child.

"Parent." A biological parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian.

"Private agency." A children and youth social service agency subject to the regulatory requirements of the Department of Public Welfare.

"Relative." An individual who is at least 21 years of age and related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to the parent or stepparent of a child.

"Resource family." A family that is approved to provide temporary foster or kinship care for a child who needs out-of-home placement and that may eventually provide permanency for the child, including as an adoptive family.

"Unreasonable restraint." Controlling behavior or restricting movement through the application of physical, mechanical or chemical intervention. Restraint may not be used for coercion or punishment. Emergency safety interventions required to prevent harm to self or others where less restrictive alternatives have failed shall not constitute unreasonable restraint.

11 P.S. § 2632

2010, Nov. 23, P.L. 1264, No. 119, §2, effective in 120 days [ 3/23/2011].