Title 40, Title 40 Services

(a) Within a period of twelve (12) months after a child is placed in the care of the department of children, youth and families pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or § 14-1-5, or §§ 42-72-14 and 14-1-11.1, and the child has resided in foster care or, pursuant to §§ 42-72-…

(a) At every regularly scheduled family court review and/or permanency hearing of any child found to be abused or neglected under § 40-11-12, or dependent under § 14-1-34, the department shall present a written reunification and/or permanency plan to the court for approval. The p…

The state may make funds available through the department of children, youth and families for special reimbursement to guardians appointed pursuant to this chapter. These funds will be disbursed in accordance with the guidelines to be promulgated by the department of children, yo…

(a) Whenever the family court has assumed jurisdiction by way of the filing of a petition pursuant to chapter 1 of title 14 or chapter 11 of this title, the court, upon notice to the individual to be restrained and after a hearing, may restrain the individual so notified from int…

(a) In the case of a young adult, between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21), who has executed a voluntary placement agreement for continued care and placement responsibility from the department and for legal supervision of the court, the permanency plan shall document…

(a) All records concerning reports of child abuse and neglect, including reports made to the department, shall be confidential except as specifically provided by this chapter or as specifically provided by § 42-72-8 or specifically authorized by the family court in furtherance of…

All records concerning reports of child abuse and neglect made pursuant to this chapter, including reports made to the department, shall be destroyed three (3) years after the date of a final determination by either the family court or the department that the reported child abuse…

(a) Any child who is alleged to be abused or neglected as a subject of a petition filed in family court under this chapter, shall have a guardian ad litem appointed by the court to represent this child. In addition, any young adult, who is eligible for extended foster care pursua…

A parent or guardian practicing his or her religious beliefs that differ from general community standards who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child shall not, for that reason alone, be considered a negligent parent or guardian. However, nothing in this section …

If any provision of this chapter or application thereof is held to be invalid, the remainder of the chapter and the application of that provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.

(a) The department of health shall collaborate with the department of children, youth and families and other state agencies serving families and children, the medical community, law enforcement, human service providers, and child advocacy organizations to develop and implement a …

(a) Children’s advocacy centers shall provide the following services to children in Rhode Island: (1) Operation of a child-appropriate or child-friendly facility that provides a comfortable, private setting that is both physically and psychologically safe for clients; (2) Partici…

The department shall investigate reports of child abuse and neglect as mandated in this chapter. A parent’s disability, as defined in § 42-87-1, will not constitute sole grounds to initiate an investigation or a finding of child abuse or neglect; provided, that nothing in this se…

When used in this chapter and unless the specific context indicates otherwise: (1) “Abused or neglected child” means a child whose physical or mental health or welfare is harmed, or threatened with harm, when his or her parent or other person responsible for his or her welfare: (…

(a) The department shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the military family advocacy program at a local military installation with respect to child abuse and neglect investigations. (b) Such memorandum of understanding shall establish procedures and protocols for m…

(a) Any person who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that any child has been abused or neglected as defined in § 40-11-2, or has been a victim of sexual abuse by another child, shall, within twenty-four (24) hours, transfer that information to the department of children, yo…

Any person required to report under the provisions of this title, who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has died as a result of child abuse or neglect shall immediately transfer that information to the department or its agent who shall cause the report to be in…

Any person who knowingly and willfully makes, or causes to be made, to the department a false report of child abuse or neglect shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned not more than one…

(a) Any person who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that any child has been the victim of sexual abuse by an employee, agent, contractor, or volunteer of an educational program as defined in § 40-11-2 shall, within twenty-four (24) hours, transfer that information to the d…

Any person participating in good faith in making a report pursuant to this chapter shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed. Any participant shall have the same immunity with respect to participation in any judicial pr…

(a) Any physician or duly certified registered nurse practitioner treating a child who has suffered physical injury that appears to have been caused by other than accidental means, or a child suffering from malnutrition or sexual molestation, shall have the right to keep the chil…

(a) When any physician, duly certified registered nurse practitioner, or other healthcare provider is involved in the delivery or care of infants born with, or identified as being affected by, substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure or a fetal…

Any person, official, physician, or institution required by this chapter to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect or to perform any other act who knowingly fails to do so or who knowingly prevents any person acting reasonably from doing so shall be guilty of a misdemea…

(a) The department shall investigate reports of child abuse and neglect made under this chapter in accordance with the rules the department has promulgated and in order to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse or neglect and the cause thereof. The investigatio…

(a) The family court shall, upon the filing of an ex parte petition, hereunder, immediately take any action it deems necessary or appropriate for the protection of the child, or children, suspected of being abused or neglected, including the removal of the child, or children, fro…

(a) A videotape recording made by the department of children, youth and families, a law enforcement officer, a hospital, or a children’s advocacy center of an interview of or statement made by a child who is the subject of an investigation conducted pursuant to § 40-11-7 is admis…

The family court may establish a voluntary mediation program for child protection matters. Once established, the court may, with the consent of the parties, refer to mediation all or any portion of a matter relating to child protection matters.

The department shall establish a statewide injury-control unit to make possible more intensive protective services to high-risk families with children, and close coordination with a variety of community groups, medical facilities, and medical groups to ensure early detection and …

Upon the receipt of a report concerning the alleged abuse or neglect of a child, it shall be the duty of the law enforcement agency to investigate further and to report the results of the investigation to the department and/or family court; provided, however, if there is reasonab…