§ 42-72.1-2 — § 42-72.1-2. Definitions.

Rhode Island § 42-72.1-2

• Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
• Title 42: State Affairs and Government
• Ch. 42-72.1: Licensing and Monitoring of Child Placing Agencies, Child Caring Agencies, Foster and Adoptive Homes, and Children’s Behavioral Health Programs

Text

§ 42-72.1-2. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Administrator of licensing� means the director of the licensing unit (or the director's designee) that carries out the provisions of this chapter, hereafter referred to as the "administrator.�

(2) "Applicant� means a child-placing agency, child caring agency, foster and adoptive home, and children's behavioral health program that apply for a license to operate.

(3) "Child� means any person less than eighteen (18) years of age; provided, that a child over eighteen (18) years of age who is nevertheless subject to continuing jurisdiction of the family court, pursuant to chapter 1 of title 14, or defined as emotionally disturbed according to chapter 7 of title 40.1, shall be considered a child for the purposes of this chapter.

(4) "Child caring agency� means any facility that provides residential treatment, residential group homecare or semi-independent living, or residential assessment and stabilization.

(5) "Child-placing agency� means any private or public agency that receives children for placement into independent living arrangements, supervised apartment living, residential group care facilities, family foster homes, or adoptive homes.

(6) "Children's behavioral health program� means any private or public agency that provides behavioral health services to children.

(7) "Department� means the department of children, youth and families (DCYF).

(8) "Director� means the director of the department of children, youth and families, or the director's designee.

(9) "Foster and adoptive homes� means one or more adults who are licensed to provide foster or adoptive caregiving in a family-based home setting.

(10) "Licensee� means any person, firm, corporation, association, or agency that holds a valid license under this chapter.

(11) "Regulation� means any requirement for licensure, promulgated pursuant to this chapter having the force of law.

(12) "Related� means any of the following relationships, by marriage, blood, or adoption, even following the death or divorce of a natural parent: parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, and first cousin. In a prosecution under this chapter or of any law relating thereto, a defendant who relies for a defense upon the relationship of any child to him or herself, the defendant shall have the burden of proof as to the relationship.

Legislative History

P.L. 1986, ch. 254, § 5; P.L. 1986, ch. 274, § 5; P.L. 1987, ch. 458, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 560, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 47, art. 15, § 5; P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21.