(3) A minor of the age of 18 years or more for himself or herself (2) A married minor for himself or herself or, if such married minor be unable to give consent by reason of disability, then by his or her spouse (1) A parent or guardian of any minor for such minor Consent to the performance upon or for any minor by any licensed medical, surgical, dental, psychological or osteopathic practitioner or any nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist or any hospital or public clinic or their agents or employees of any lawful medical treatment, and to the furnishing of hospitalization and other reasonably necessary care in connection therewith, may be given by: (3) “Relative caregiver” or “caregiver” means an adult person, who by blood, marriage or adoption, is the great grandparent, grandparent, step grandparent, great aunt, aunt, great uncle, uncle, stepparent, brother, sister, step brother, step sister, half brother, half sister, niece, nephew, first cousin or first cousin once removed of a minor and with whom the minor resides, but who is not the legal custodian or guardian of the minor. Medical treatment also means the examination and treatment of any laceration, fracture or other traumatic injury, or any symptom, disease or pathology which may, in the judgment of the treating health care professional, if left untreated, reasonably be expected to threaten health or life. (2) “Medical treatment” means developmental screening, mental health screening and treatment, and ordinary and necessary medical and dental examination and treatment, including blood testing, preventive care including ordinary immunizations, tuberculin testing and well-child care. (1) “Blood testing” includes Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) testing and other blood testing deemed necessary by documented history or symptomatology but excludes HIV/AIDS testing and controlled substance testing or any other testing for which separate court order or informed consent as provided by law is required. (b) This section shall not affect the laws of this State relative to the appointment of a guardian of the property of a minor, or the appointment of a third person as a guardian of the person of the minor where the parents are unsuitable or where the child’s interests would be adversely affected by remaining under the natural guardianship of his or her parents or parent. Where the parents live apart, the Court may award the custody of their minor child to either of them and neither shall benefit from any presumption of being better suited for such award.
If either parent should die, or abandon his or her family, or is incapable, for any reason, to act as guardian of such child, then, the custody of such child devolves upon the other parent. Each has equal powers and duties with respect to such child, and neither has any right, or presumption of right or fitness, superior to the right of the other concerning such child’s custody or any other matter affecting the child.
(a) The father and mother are the joint natural guardians of their minor child and are equally charged with the child’s support, care, nurture, welfare and education. Rights and responsibilities of parents guardian appointment.