reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 15-7-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-3 - Report, investigation, and hearing on child brought into state for adoption.

§ 15-7-3. Report, investigation, and hearing on child brought into state for adoption.(a) Whenever any person or persons brings or causes to be brought a child, not related to him or her or them, into this state for the purpose of adoption, he or she or they shall make a report to the department of children, youth and families within fifteen (15) days of the entry of the child into this state.(b) The willful failure, neglect, or refusal of the person or persons having brought or having caused the child to be brought into this state to make the report shall be considered a violation of this chapter and prejudicial to the best interest of the child. The department, upon receipt of the notice or when it receives notice from any source that the person or persons having brought or having caused the child to be brought into this state has or have willfully failed, refused, or neglected to make the report, shall make any investigation that it deems necessary in the circumstances and report the results of that investigation to the family court within sixty (60) days after receipt of the notice.(c) The family court, after any notice that it deems proper to the parent or parents, and the person or persons having brought, or having caused to be brought, the child into this state, shall, after the filing of the report, hold a hearing to determine whether the proposed placement for adoption is or is not for the best interest of the child.(d) If the court finds that the proposed placement for adoption is not for the best interest of the child, it shall order that the child be returned to its parent or parents or placed through the department or a licensed child placing agency or with whomsoever the court deems for the best interest of the child.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 4; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-3; impl. am. P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 14; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1; Reorg. Plan No. 1, 1970.
RI Gen L § 15-7-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-4 - Petition to adopt - Court having jurisdiction.

§ 15-7-4. Petition to adopt — Court having jurisdiction.(a) Any person residing in Rhode Island may petition the family court for leave to adopt as his or her child any person younger than him or herself and under eighteen (18) years of age, and, if desired, for a change of the child's name, but the prayer of the petition by a person having a husband or wife shall not be granted unless the husband or wife joins in the petition; provided, that upon good cause shown and a showing that the granting of the petition for adoption would be in the best interests of the minor child, the prayer of the petition may be granted although the spouse of the petitioner is not a party to the petition.(b) The family court shall retain jurisdiction over any petition properly filed under subsection (a) when and if the petitioners become nonresidents after the petition is filed, but during the pendency of the action.(c) Any person not a resident of Rhode Island may petition the family court for leave to adopt as his or her child any person younger than him or herself and under eighteen (18) years of age, and, if desired, for a change of the child's name, if the child is at the time of the filing of the petition in the care and custody of a governmental child placing agency, or licensed Rhode Island child placing agency, but the prayer of the petition by a person having a husband or wife shall not be granted unless the husband or wife joins in the petition.(d) Petitions for adoptions of persons eighteen (18) years or older shall be heard by the probate court of the city or town in which the petitioners live.(e) The department shall grant an opportunity for a fair hearing, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 671(a)(12) and chapter 35 of title 42 to an individual residing outside of Rhode Island who alleges that the department denied or delayed placement of a child for adoption.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 192, § 1; P.L. 1907, ch. 1423, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 244, § 1; P.L. 1910, ch. 544, § 1; P.L. 1915, ch. 1197, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 288, § 1; P.L. 1930, ch. 1573, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 2; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-4; impl. am. P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 14; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1; P.L. 1982, ch. 300, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 87, § 2.
RI Gen L § 15-7-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-5 - Consent required.

§ 15-7-5. Consent required.(a) The parents of the child, or their survivor, shall, except as provided in this section, consent in writing to the adoption, or the petition shall be dismissed. If neither parent is living, the guardian of the person of the child, or, if there is no guardian, the next of kin, may give consent; or if there is no next of kin, the court may appoint some suitable person to act in the proceedings as next friend of the child, and to give or withhold the consent; provided, that if the child is of the age of fourteen (14) years or over, the adoption shall not be made without the child's consent. In case the child to be adopted is eighteen (18) years or older, the consent of, or notice to, the child's parents or other person in the child's behalf shall not be required.(b) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, when the petitioners are one of the natural parents of the child and his or her spouse or one of the grandparents of the child and the child is residing, at the time the petition is filed, with the petitioners, if the noncustodial parent refused to consent to the adoption, the court shall determine whether the noncustodial parent's rights shall be terminated involuntarily. In making the determination, the court shall apply the grounds for termination of parental rights set forth in § 15-7-7; provided, that the petitioners need not demonstrate, and the court shall not require, efforts to encourage and strengthen the child's relationship with the noncustodial parent prior to terminating his or her parental rights.(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, when the petitioners are one of the natural parents of the child and his or her spouse or one of the grandparents of the child and the child is residing, at the time the petition is filed, with the petitioners, and if the noncustodial parent refuses to consent to the adoption, then the court may grant the petition without a noncustodial parent's consent if the petitioners prove by clear and convincing evidence any of the grounds set forth in § 15-7-7(a)(1), (2), or (4). The standard of proof in these cases shall be by clear and convincing evidence and the court shall give primary consideration to the physical, psychological, mental, and intellectual needs of the child insofar as that consideration is not inconsistent with other provisions of this chapter.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 192, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 244, § 2; P.L. 1915, ch. 1197, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 288, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 3; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-5; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 232, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-5.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-5.1 - Contact preference form information.

§ 15-7-5.1. Contact preference form information.Upon providing consent to an adoption, the biological parent(s) shall be informed that, consistent with § 23-3-15(g)(1), an adoptee may obtain a non-certified copy of his/her unaltered, original certificate of birth upon his/her eighteenth birthday, and that the birth parent is allowed and authorized to file a contact preference form with the division of vital records as provided in § 23-3-15(g)(2).History of Section.P.L. 2011, ch. 228, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 233, § 1, effective July 8, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 234, § 1, effective July 8, 2021.
RI Gen L § 15-7-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-6 - Waiver of parents' right to consent - Guardianship of agency.

§ 15-7-6. Waiver of parents' right to consent — Guardianship of agency.Any duly licensed child placement agency in this state, or governmental child placement agency, at the request of the natural parent or parents of a child under eighteen (18) years of age, may, not sooner than fifteen (15) days after the birth of the child, petition the family court for the termination of the rights of the natural parents of the child to consent to its adoption. After any notice to the natural parents that the court deems proper, a hearing shall be had prior to the hearing on the petition for adoption in the family court, and if the family court finds after examination of the parent or parents that the parent or parents freely join in the petition, and that the granting of the petition is for the best interests of the child, it shall decree that in the hearing on the adoption of the child the consent of the natural parents as provided above shall be unnecessary and that the agency shall be the sole party to give or withhold consent. The granting of the petition to give or withhold consent to the child placement agency shall also make the agency the guardian of the child for all purposes.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 3; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-6; P.L. 1966, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-7.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-7.1 - Court proceedings.

§ 15-7-7.1. Court proceedings.The court shall make findings of fact and conclude all hearings on petitions for termination of parental rights within one hundred eighty (180) days after notice to the natural parents has been effectuated. If the court is unable to conclude a hearing within one hundred eighty (180) days, it shall enter an order setting forth the facts which necessitate an extension of the time period.History of Section.P.L. 1980, ch. 364, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-7.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-7.2 - Mediation of termination of parental rights.

§ 15-7-7.2. Mediation of termination of parental rights.The family court may establish a voluntary mediation program for termination of parental rights. Once established, the court may, with the consent of the parties, refer to mediation all or any portion of a matter relating to termination of parental rights.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 59, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-8 - Notice to parents - Notice when no parent living or when parent in mental institution.

§ 15-7-8. Notice to parents — Notice when no parent living or when parent in mental institution.(a) The notice required in § 15-7-7 shall be as follows: If a parent does not consent in writing to the adoption of his or her child, the court shall order a copy of the petition and order that copy to be served on him or her, personally, if found in the state; and if not, notice of the petition for adoption shall be published once in any newspaper that the court directs. Like notice shall also be published whenever a child has no parent living.(b) Whenever a parent is confined in any asylum, hospital, or institution for mental illness, whether the asylum, hospital, or institution is situated within or out of the state, the court shall order a copy of the petition and order that copy, subsequently referred to as the notice, to be served on him or her personally, which notice, if to be served within the state, shall be served by an officer authorized by law to serve citations; but if the notice is to be served out of the state, it may be served by any disinterested person, who shall make return, upon oath, that he or she has made service of the notice, the manner in which, the time when, and the place where the service was made; provided, that before any officer or disinterested person makes service of the notice, he or she shall apply to the physician in charge of the asylum, hospital, or institution where the person upon whom the notice to be served is confined, and if the physician shall return, upon oath, on the back of the notice, that in his or her opinion service of the notice upon the person will be injurious to his or her mental health, the officer or person charged with the service shall leave a copy of the notice, with the physician's return, with the keeper of the asylum, hospital, or institution and shall return the notice, with a statement of his or her actions regarding the notice, to the court without further service; and upon return being made in either case, the court, having first appointed a guardian ad litem for the parent, may proceed to act upon the petition and order.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 192, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 244, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 288, § 4; P.L. 1925, ch. 655, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 5; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-8; P.L. 1962, ch. 106, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 92, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 6, § 29.
RI Gen L § 15-7-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-9 - Notice to parent whose whereabouts unknown.

§ 15-7-9. Notice to parent whose whereabouts unknown.(a) When a petition concerning the adoption or termination of parental rights is filed which sets forth that the whereabouts of the parent or parents of the child are unknown, that fact shall be sworn to by the petitioners by affidavit which shall set forth the last contacts with the absent parent and any other information considered pertinent in determining the absent parent's whereabouts.(b) The court shall review the affidavit and, if it is determined that personal service cannot be effectuated, an order of notice shall be entered directing that notice be given to the parent by publication in any newspaper of general circulation that the court directs; which notice shall be published once and this notice may be combined and placed with other names that the court is attempting to notify.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 11; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-9; P.L. 1962, ch. 106, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 364, § 2; P.L. 1996, ch. 200, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-10 - Consent of minor parents.

§ 15-7-10. Consent of minor parents.(a) For the purposes of this section, "minor" refers to an individual under the age of eighteen (18).(b) No minor parent may give a binding consent to any adoption petition or to any termination of rights pursuant to § 15-7-6 except with the consent of one of the parents, guardian, or guardian ad litem of the minor parent; provided, that if the whereabouts of both of the parents of the minor parent are unknown, that fact shall be sworn to by the petitioners or an unauthorized officer or official of a duly licensed child placement agency or of a governmental child placement agency; after notice in accordance with § 15-7-9 and upon finding that the granting of the petition for adoption or the termination of rights is in the best interest of the child, the family court may grant the petition.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 6; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-10; P.L. 1963, ch. 94, § 1; P.L. 1966, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-12 - Trial period of residence.

§ 15-7-12. Trial period of residence.No petition shall be granted until the child has lived for six (6) months in the proposed home; provided, that the period of residence may be waived and the petition granted by the court upon good cause shown, when satisfied that the proposed home and the child are suited to each other.History of Section.G.L. 1923, ch. 288, § 5; P.L. 1926, ch. 852, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, §§ 5, 7; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-12; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-13 - Consideration of religion of child or parents.

§ 15-7-13. Consideration of religion of child or parents.For the purposes of placement of a child in adoptive homes under this chapter, a child shall be placed in an adoptive home of any religious faith or persuasion that may be designated by the natural parent(s) so far as practicable. In the event that the natural parent(s) waive the right to designate the religion of his or her child, the right shall become vested in the governmental child placement agency or the duly licensed child placing agency to be exercised in the best interests of the child.History of Section.P.L. 1944, ch. 1441, § 26; P.L. 1946, ch. 1772, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 13; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-13; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-14 - Decree of adoption.

§ 15-7-14. Decree of adoption.If, after investigation and upon a hearing, the court is satisfied as to the identity and relations of the persons, and that the petitioner or petitioners are of sufficient ability to bring up the child and furnish suitable nurture and education, having reference to the degree and condition of the child's parents, and that it is fit and proper that the adoption should take effect, a decree shall be made setting forth the facts and ordering that from the date of decree the child shall, to all legal intents and purposes, be the child of the petitioner or petitioners.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 192, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 244, § 5; G.L. 1923, ch. 228, § 5; P.L. 1926, ch. 852, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 5; G.L., ch. 420, § 7; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-14; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-15 - Decree of change of name.

§ 15-7-15. Decree of change of name.If, in a petition for the adoption of a child, a change of the child's name is requested, the court, upon decreeing the adoption, may also decree the change of name and grant a certificate for the name change.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 192, § 10; G.L. 1909, ch. 244, § 10; G.L. 1923, ch. 288, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 10; G.L., ch. 420, § 12; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-15; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-16 - Inheritance by and from adoptive kindred.

§ 15-7-16. Inheritance by and from adoptive kindred.(a) A child lawfully adopted shall be deemed, for the purpose of inheritance by the child and his or her descendants from the parents by adoption and the lineal and collateral kindred of the parents by adoption, and for the purpose of inheritance by the parents by adoption, and the lineal and collateral kindred of the parents by adoption, from the child and his or her descendants, and for all other legal consequences and incidents of the natural relation of parents and children, except as provided in § 15-7-17, the child of the parents by adoption the same as if he or she had been born to them in lawful wedlock. In the construction of any instrument, whether executed before or after May 8, 1956, a child so adopted and the descendants of the child shall be deemed within a limitation to the lawful heirs, issue, children, descendants, or the like, as the case may be, of the parent or parents by adoption, unless a contrary intention shall appear by the terms of the instrument or unless the particular estate so limited has vested in and as to the person or persons entitled to it on April 20, 1962; provided, that this sentence shall not apply in the construction of any instrument as to any child who is over the age of eighteen (18) years at the time of his or her adoption and who is adopted after the death of the maker of the instrument.(b) When an adopted child is related by blood to the parent or parents by adoption, he or she and his or her descendants shall be entitled to inherit from and through the parent or parents only as an adopted child or descendants of an adopted child and not by virtue of the blood relationship.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 192, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 244, § 6; G.L. 1923, ch. 288, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 6; G.L., ch. 420, § 8; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; P.L. 1956, ch. 3851, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-16; P.L. 1962, ch. 167, § 1; P.L. 1966, ch. 211, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-17 - Rights of natural parents terminated - Inheritance by child from natural parents.

§ 15-7-17. Rights of natural parents terminated — Inheritance by child from natural parents.The parents of the child shall be deprived, by the decree, of all legal rights respecting the child, and the child shall be freed from all obligations of maintenance and obedience respecting his or her natural parents except that the granting of the petition for adoption will not deprive an adopted child of the right to inherit from and through his or her natural parents in the same manner as all other natural children; provided, that the right to inherit from and through natural parents of an adopted child born out of wedlock shall be as provided in § 33-1-8; and provided, further, that the decree of adoption shall in no way affect all legal rights of a natural parent respecting the child and all obligations of the child of maintenance and obedience respecting a natural parent if the natural parent is legally married to the adopting parent at the time of the decree of adoption. Notwithstanding the rights of an adopted child to inherit from or through his or her natural parents as provided in this section, or as provided in § 33-1-8, any administrator, executor or trustee who without knowledge of said adopted child, otherwise carries out the administrators, executors, or trustees lawful responsibility shall not be liable to the adopted child for any damages resulting therefrom.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 192, § 7; G.L. 1909, ch. 244, § 7; G.L. 1923, ch. 288, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 7; G.L., ch. 420, § 9; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-17; P.L. 1965, ch. 92, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 164, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 195, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-7-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-18 - Denial of petition - Order as to custody of child.

§ 15-7-18. Denial of petition — Order as to custody of child.(a) Upon hearing before the family court on any petition for adoption, if it finds that the petition for adoption is not for the best interest of the child and denies the petition, the court shall have the power to order the child returned to the person, persons, or licensed agency legally entitled to custody.(b) The failure of a person having the physical control of the child to place the child in accordance with the order of the family court shall constitute contempt which may be punished by the court by imprisonment in the adult correctional institutions until such time as he or she purges himself or herself.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 14; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1956, ch. 3721, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-18; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1.