27A-15-1. Definition of terms.
Terms used in this chapter mean:
(1)"Clinical evaluation," an evaluation of the minor to determine the appropriateness of admission to an inpatient psychiatric facility or continued inpatient treatment. The evaluation shall include a personal interview with the minor and parent, guardian, or other legal custodian, an examination of all relevant available records, a mental status examination of the minor, relevant social history information, and an examination of the medical, psychological, social, behavioral, educational, and developmental aspects of the minor's situation, including a full probe of the minor's background utilizing all relevant educational, treatment, and other public and private service provider sources;
(2)"Independent clinical evaluation," a clinical evaluation of the minor performed by a qualified mental health professional who:
(a)Is not currently involved in the diagnosis, treatment, or provision of services to the minor;
(b)Is not an employee of the facility to which admission of the minor is sought or to which the minor has been admitted; and
(c)Will not receive monetary benefit by the minor's admission to or continued stay in an inpatient psychiatric facility;
(3)"Minor," a person under eighteen years of age except that for purposes of this title, the term does not include a person who is emancipated under Title 26 or who is married. Any person not included within this definition of minor shall come under this title's provisions which apply to adults;
(4)"Parent," a biological or adoptive parent who has legal custody of the minor, including either parent if the parents have joint legal custody;
(5)"Psychiatric evaluation," an examination conducted by a psychiatrist which includes the history of present illness, past history of medical and psychiatric illness, pertinent psychosocial history, and a mental status examination that enables the formulation of a diagnostic summary.
Source: SL 1991, ch 220, §291; SL 1994, ch 255, §1; SL 2000, ch 129, §18.