Title 63.2. Welfare (Social Services)
Chapter 15. Child Abuse and Neglect
§ 63.2-1501. Definitions.
As used in this chapter unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Court" means the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the county or city.
"Local department" means the local department of social services in the county or city in the Commonwealth where the alleged victim child resides or in which the alleged abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred. If neither of these is known, then the local department shall be the local department of social services in the county or city where the abuse or neglect was discovered.
"Prevention" means efforts that (i) promote health and competence in people and (ii) create, promote and strengthen environments that nurture people in their development.
1975, c. 341, § 63.1-248.2; 1981, c. 123; 1986, c. 308; 1990, c. 760; 1995, c. 520; 2000, c. 500; 2002, c. 747; 2026, cc. 835, 900.
