A. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:

MINOR

Any individual who is under the age of 17 and has not been declared by a court of competent jurisdiction as being emancipated.

PARENT

Any individual who is 18 or older and is the birth or adoptive parent of the minor, or who has the legal custody of the minor as established by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. This definition excludes individuals who are providing foster care as it is defined in Minn.Stat. § 260B.007, Subd. 7.

B. Unless specifically defined herein, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the same meaning as they have in common usage and so as to give this chapter its most reasonable application. Words used in the present tense shall include the future; words in the singular shall include the plural; and the words "shall" and "must" are mandatory and not discretionary.