Rhode Island General Laws 14-1-5. Exclusive jurisdiction
The court shall, as set forth in this chapter, have exclusive original jurisdiction in proceedings:
(1) Concerning any child residing or being within the state who is: (i) Delinquent; (ii) Wayward; (iii) Dependent; (iv) Neglected; or (v) Mentally disabled;
(2) Concerning adoption of children;
(3) To determine the paternity of any child alleged to have been born out of wedlock and to provide for the support and disposition of that child in case that child or the child’s mother has residence within the state; and
(4) [Deleted by P.L. 2021, ch. 39, § 3 and P.L. 2021, ch. 40, § 3.]
(5) Referred to the court in accordance with the provisions of § 14-1-28.
History of Section.
P.L. 1944, ch. 1441, § 14; G.L. 1956, § 14-1-5; P.L. 1994, ch. 178, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 260, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 18; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 18; P.L. 2018, ch. 153, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 248, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 39, § 3, effective June 7, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 40, § 3, effective June 7, 2021.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 14-1-5
- Child: means a person under eighteen (18) years of age. See Rhode Island General Laws 14-1-3
- court: means the family court of the state of Rhode Island. See Rhode Island General Laws 14-1-3
- Delinquent: when applied to a child, means and includes any child who has committed any offense that, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony, or who has on more than one occasion violated any of the other laws of the state or of the United States or any of the ordinances of cities and towns, other than ordinances relating to the operation of motor vehicles. See Rhode Island General Laws 14-1-3
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Wayward: when applied to a child, means and includes any child:
(i) Who has deserted his or her home without good or sufficient cause;
(ii) Who habitually associates with dissolute, vicious, or immoral persons;
(iii) Who is leading an immoral or vicious life;
(iv) Who is habitually disobedient to the reasonable and lawful commands of his or her parent or parents, guardian, or other lawful custodian;
(v) Who, being required by chapter 19 of Title 16 to attend school, willfully and habitually absents himself or herself from school or habitually violates the rules and regulations of the school when he or she attends;
(vi) Who has, on any occasion, violated any of the laws of the state or of the United States or any of the ordinances of cities and towns, other than ordinances relating to the operation of motor vehicles; or
(vii) Any child under seventeen (17) years of age who violates Rhode Island General Laws 14-1-3