Terms Used In Virginia Code > Title 32.1 > Chapter 5 > Article 2 - Rights and Responsibilities of Patients in Nursing Homes.

• Adult: means a person 18 years of age or more. See Virginia Code 1-203
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Department: means the State Department of Health. See Virginia Code 32.1-3
• Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
• in writing: include any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed or inscribed on a tangible medium or (ii) stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in a perceivable form and whether an electronic signature authorized by Virginia Code 1-257
• Month: means a calendar month and "year" means a calendar year. See Virginia Code 1-223
• Person: means an individual, corporation, partnership, or association or any other legal entity. See Virginia Code 32.1-3
• State: when applied to a part of the United States, includes any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands. See Virginia Code 1-245
• United States: includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States Virgin Islands. See Virginia Code 1-255