The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:(a) 'Agency' means a county department of human services, the Department of Child Protection Services, a licensed or nonlicensed adoption agency or any other individual or entity assisting in the finalization of an adoption.(b) 'Adoptee' means a person who is or has been adopted in this state at any time.(c) 'Birth parent' means either:(i) The mother designated on the adoptee's original birth certificate; or(ii) The person named by the mother designated on the adoptee's original birth certificate as the father of the adoptee.(d) 'Board' means the Mississippi State Board of Health.(e) 'Bureau' means the Bureau of Vital Records of the Mississippi State Board of Health.(f) 'Licensed adoption agency' means any agency or organization performing adoption services and duly licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.Laws, 1992, ch. 306, § 2, eff. 7/1/1992.Amended by Laws, 2023, ch. 516, HB 1149,§ 94, eff. 7/1/2023.
Mississippi Legal Code