§ 15-7-2. Report, investigation, and hearing on placement of child for adoption.
(a) Whenever a parent or parents places a child with a person or persons, other than a father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or stepparent of the child for adoption purposes, the person or persons with whom the child has been placed for adoption shall, within fifteen (15) days of the placement, notify the department of children, youth, and families of the placement.
(b) The willful failure, neglect, or refusal of the person or persons with whom the child has been placed to make the report within fifteen (15) days shall be considered in violation of this chapter and prejudicial to the best interests of the child. The department shall, when it receives the notice or when it receives notice from any source that the person or persons with whom the child has been placed has failed, refused, or neglected to make the report within fifteen (15) days of placement, make any investigation that it deems necessary in the circumstances.
(c) The results of the investigation shall be then referred to the family court within sixty (60) days of the receipt by the department of the notice.
(d) The family court, after any notice that it deems proper to the parent or parents and the person or persons with whom the child has been placed, shall hold a hearing to determine whether the placement of the child is or is not for the best interest of the child.
(e) If the court finds that the placement is not for the best interest of the child, or is contrary to law, it shall order that the child be returned to its parent or parents or placed with 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, § 15-7-2; impl. am. P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 14; P.L. 1962, ch. 106, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1; Reorg. Plan No. 1, 1970.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children
Section 15-7-2. - Report, investigation, and hearing on placement of child for adoption.
Section 15-7-2.1. - Pre-adoption report on child placed for adoption.
Section 15-7-3. - Report, investigation, and hearing on child brought into state for adoption.
Section 15-7-4. - Petition to adopt — Court having jurisdiction.
Section 15-7-5. - Consent required.
Section 15-7-5.1. - Contact preference form information.
Section 15-7-6. - Waiver of parents’ right to consent — Guardianship of agency.
Section 15-7-7. - Termination of parental rights.
Section 15-7-7.1. - Court proceedings.
Section 15-7-7.2. - Mediation of termination of parental rights.
Section 15-7-9. - Notice to parent whose whereabouts unknown.
Section 15-7-10. - Consent of minor parents.
Section 15-7-11. - Investigation and report as to adoptive home.
Section 15-7-12. - Trial period of residence.
Section 15-7-13. - Consideration of religion of child or parents.
Section 15-7-14. - Decree of adoption.
Section 15-7-14.1. - Decree of open adoption.
Section 15-7-15. - Decree of change of name.
Section 15-7-16. - Inheritance by and from adoptive kindred.
Section 15-7-17. - Rights of natural parents terminated — Inheritance by child from natural parents.
Section 15-7-18. - Denial of petition — Order as to custody of child.
Section 15-7-19. - Appeal from the family court.
Section 15-7-20. - Jurisdiction of child pending appeal.
Section 15-7-21.1. - Challenge to decree.
Section 15-7-22. - Penalty for violations or false statements.
Section 15-7-23. - Complaints.
Section 15-7-24. - Attendance at hearing.