Full question:
What are the laws in Rhode Island on placement of children with my relatives?
- Category: Minors
- Subcategory: Placement with Relatives
- Date:
- State: Rhode Island
Answer:
Rhode Island law does not specifically address the adoption of children by relatives. However, it does provide guidance on placing foster children with relatives. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-12.2, during family court reviews and permanency hearings for children found to be abused, neglected, or dependent, the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) must present a written plan. This plan outlines whether the child will be returned to their parents, placed for adoption, referred for legal guardianship, or placed with a fit and willing relative. The child's best interests are the primary concern in these decisions.
Efforts must be made to preserve and reunify families, including placing a child with a blood relative if it serves the child's best interests. If a court determines that reasonable efforts to reunify are not consistent with the child's permanency plan, the child will be placed according to that plan in a timely manner.
Additionally, if a parent has subjected a child to serious harm or if their parental rights have been involuntarily terminated, the court may not require reasonable efforts to reunify the family. In such cases, a permanency hearing must occur within thirty days, and efforts to place the child in a permanent home will be prioritized.
For children whose permanency plan is adoption, the plan must include documentation of the steps being taken to find an adoptive family or another permanent living arrangement, including efforts to recruit families.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.