§ 15-1-9. Applicability of state laws to marriages not recognized by federal law.
(a) Any provision of Rhode Island law that refers to, adopts, or relies upon provisions of federal law, including, but not limited to, those in title 44, shall apply to parties recognized as married under the laws of this state, as if federal laws recognized such marriages in the same manner as Rhode Island law.
(b) Notwithstanding the unavailability of federal financial participation, no person who is recognized as a spouse under the laws of this state shall be denied benefits that are otherwise available to spouses under Rhode Island law, including, but not limited to, those in chapters 40-8 to 40-8.10 inclusive, due to the provisions of 1 U.S.C. § 7 or any other federal non-recognition of spouses of the same sex.
History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 4, § 2; P.L. 2013, ch. 5, § 2.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 15-1 - Persons Eligible to Marry
Section 15-1-1. - Equal access to marriage.
Section 15-1-2. - Marrying kindred forbidden.
Section 15-1-3. - Incestuous marriages void.
Section 15-1-4. - Marriages of kindred allowed by Jewish religion.
Section 15-1-5. - Bigamous marriages void — Marriage of persons who are mentally incompetent.
Section 15-1-6. - Declaration of validity of marriage by divorced person.
Section 15-1-7. - Marriage codification.
Section 15-1-8. - Recognition of relationships entered into in another state or jurisdiction.
Section 15-1-9. - Applicability of state laws to marriages not recognized by federal law.