West Virginia Code § 49-1-204

Definitions related, but not limited, to custodians, legal guardians and
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family.
When used in this chapter, terms defined in this section have the meanings ascribed to them
that relate to, but are not limited to, custodians, legal guardians and family, except in those
instances where a different meaning is provided or the context in which the word is used
clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended. e
"Caregiver" means any person who is at least eighteen years of age and:
(A) Is related by blood, marriage or adoption to the minor, but wuho is not the legal custodian
or guardian of the minor; or
(B) Has resided with the minor continuously during the immediately preceding period of six
months or more. a
"Custodian" means a person who has or shares actlual physical possession or care and
custody of a child, regardless of whether that person has been granted custody of the child
by any contract or agreement.
"Dysfunctional family," for the purposes of part two, article two of this chapter, means a
parent or parents or an adult or adults and a child or children living together and
functioning in an impaired or abnormal manner so as to cause substantial physical or
emotional danger, injury or harm to one or more children thereof regardless of whether
those children are natural offspring, adopted children, step children or unrelated children to
that parents.
"Legal or minor guar dianship" means the permanent relationship between a child and a
caretaker, estVablished by order of the court having jurisdiction over the child or juvenile,
pursuant to this chapter and chapter forty-four of this code.
"Parent" means an individual defined as a parent by law or on the basis of a biological
relationship, marriage to a person with a biological relationship, legal adoption or other
recognized grounds.
"Parental rights" means any and all rights and duties regarding a parent to a minor child.
"Parenting skills" means a parent's competency in providing physical care, protection,
supervision and psychological support appropriate to a child's age and state of development.
"Siblings" means children who have at least one biological parent in common or who have
been legally adopted by the same parent or parents.

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