Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 42-72.1 - Licensing and Monitoring of Child Placing Agencies, Child Caring Agencies, Foster and Adoptive Homes, and Children's Behavioral Health Programs

• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• Applicant: means a child-placing agency, child caring agency, foster and adoptive home, and children's behavioral health program that apply for a license to operate. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-72.1-2
• Child: means any person less than eighteen (18) years of age; provided, that a child over eighteen (18) years of age who is nevertheless subject to continuing jurisdiction of the family court, pursuant to chapter 1 of Title 14, or defined as emotionally disturbed according to chapter 7 of Title 40. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-72.1-2
• Child caring agency: means any facility that provides residential treatment, residential group homecare or semi-independent living, or residential assessment and stabilization. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-72.1-2
• Child-placing agency: means any private or public agency that receives children for placement into independent living arrangements, supervised apartment living, residential group care facilities, family foster homes, or adoptive homes. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-72.1-2
• 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.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Department: means the department of children, youth and families (DCYF). See Rhode Island General Laws 42-72.1-2
• Director: means the director of the department of children, youth and families, or the director's designee. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-72.1-2
• Foster and adoptive homes: means one or more adults who are licensed to provide foster or adoptive caregiving in a family-based home setting. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-72.1-2
• 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.
• Licensee: means any person, firm, corporation, association, or agency, which holds a valid license under this chapter. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-72.1-2
• person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
• Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
• Regulation: means any requirement for licensure, promulgated pursuant to this chapter having the force of law. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-72.1-2
• Related: means any of the following relationships, by marriage, blood, or adoption, even following the death or divorce of a natural parent: parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, and first cousin. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-72.1-2