North Dakota Century Code Title 50. Public Welfare § 50-25.3-01. Definitions

1. “Caregiver” means a person that has assumed the legal responsibility or a contractual obligation for the care of a vulnerable adult or has voluntarily assumed responsibility for the care of a vulnerable adult. The term includes a facility operated by a public or private agency, organization, or institution which provides services to, and has assumed responsibility for the care of, a vulnerable adult.

2. “Clergy member” means a member of the clergy or spiritual counselor who has provided a vulnerable adult with religious or spiritual care or who represents a religious organization to which a vulnerable adult is a member.

3. “Family member” means an individual related by blood, marriage, or adoption to a vulnerable adult.

4. “Friend” means an individual who is in a dating relationship with a vulnerable adult or any other individual with whom a vulnerable adult has an established relationship.

5. “Substantial functional impairment” means, because of physical limitations, a substantial incapability of living independently or providing self-care as determined through observation, diagnosis, evaluation, or assessment.

6. “Substantial mental impairment” means a substantial disorder of thought, mood, perception, orientation, or memory which grossly impairs judgment, behavior, or ability to live independently or provide self-care as revealed by observation, diagnosis, evaluation, or assessment.

7. “Vulnerable adult” means an adult who has a substantial mental or functional impairment or an adult who is experiencing visitation restrictions while under the care of a caregiver.