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 ons; (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.
Alaska Legal Code