2019 Wyoming Statutes
Title 14 - Children
Chapter 13 - Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard
Section 14-13-101 - Definitions.

14-13-101. Definitions.

(a) As used in this chapter:

(i) "Age appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities and experiences" means activities and experiences that are:

(A) Generally accepted as suitable for children of the same chronological age or level of maturity or that are determined to be developmentally appropriate for a child based on the development of cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioral capacities that are typical for an age or age group; or

(B) In the case of a specific child, suitable for that child based on the developmental stages attained by the child with respect to the cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioral capacities of the child.

(ii) "Caregiver" means a foster parent, a designated official for a child caring facility certified pursuant to W.S. 14-4-101 through 14-4-117 or any other person with whom the child is placed by court order in an out-of-home placement or any other placement pursuant to chapter 3, article 4 of this title and chapter 6, articles 2 and 4 of this title;

(iii) "Department" means the Wyoming department of family services;

(iv) "Foster care" means twenty-four (24) hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or guardians and for whom the department has placement and care responsibilities, including but not limited to placements in:

(A) Foster family homes;

(B) Foster homes of relatives;

(C) Group homes;

(D) Emergency shelters;

(E) Residential facilities;

(F) Pre-adoptive homes;

(G) Child care institutions.

(v) "Out-of-home placement" means a placement of a child physically out of his home pursuant to W.S. 14-3-201 through 14-3-216, the Child Protection Act, W.S. 14-3-401 through 14-3-441, 14-6-102, the Juvenile Justice Act, W.S. 14-6-201 through 14-6-252, or the Children in Need of Supervision Act, W.S. 14-6-401 through 14-6-440;

(vi) "Reasonable and prudent parent standard" means careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety, well-being and best interests of a child while encouraging the emotional and developmental growth of the child;

(vii) "Residual parental rights and duties" means those rights and duties remaining with the parents after legal custody, guardianship of the person or both have been vested in another person, agency or institution. Residual parental rights and duties include but are not limited to:

(A) The duty to support and provide necessities of life;

(B) The right to consent to adoption;

(C) The right to reasonable visitation unless restricted or prohibited by court order;

(D) The right to determine the minor's religious affiliation; and

(E) The right to petition on behalf of the minor.