§ 15-14.1-2 - Definitions.
SECTION 15-14.1-2
§ 15-14.1-2 Definitions. – As used in this chapter the following words and phrases shall have thefollowing meanings unless the context shall indicate another or differentmeaning or intent:
(1) "Abandoned" means left without provision for reasonableand necessary care or supervision;
(2) "Child" means an individual who has not attained eighteen(18) years of age;
(3) "Child custody determination" means a judgment, decree,or other order of a court providing for the legal custody, physical custody, orvisitation with respect to a child. The term includes a permanent, temporary,initial, and modification order. The term does not include an order relating tochild support or other monetary obligation of an individual;
(4) "Child custody proceeding" means a proceeding in whichlegal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child is anissue. The term includes a proceeding for divorce, separation, neglect, abuse,dependency, guardianship, paternity, termination of parental rights, andprotection from domestic violence, in which the issue may appear. The term doesnot include a proceeding involving juvenile delinquency, contractualemancipation, or enforcement under this chapter;
(5) "Commencement" means the filing of the first pleading ina proceeding;
(6) "Court" means the family court of the State of RhodeIsland and Providence Plantations unless another meaning is so indicated;
(7) "Home state" means the state in which a child lived witha parent or a person acting as a parent for at least six (6) consecutive monthsimmediately before the commencement of a child custody proceeding. In the caseof a child less than six (6) months of age, the term means the state in whichthe child lived from birth with any of the persons mentioned. A period oftemporary absence of any of the mentioned persons is part of the period;
(8) "Initial determination" means the first child custodydetermination concerning a particular child;
(9) "Issuing court" means the court that makes a childcustody determination for which enforcement is sought under this chapter;
(10) "Issuing state" means the state in which a child custodydetermination is made;
(11) "Modification" means a child custody determination thatchanges, replaces, supercedes, or is otherwise made after a previousdetermination concerning the same child, whether or not it is made by the courtthat made the previous determination;
(12) "Person" means an individual, corporation, businesstrust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association,joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, orinstrumentality, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity;
(13) "Person acting as a parent" means a person, other than aparent, who:
(i) Has physical custody of the child or has had physicalcustody for a period of six (6) consecutive months, including any temporaryabsence, within one year immediately before the commencement of a child custodyproceeding; and
(ii) Has been awarded legal custody by a court or claims aright to legal custody under the law of this state.
(14) "Physical custody" means the physical care andsupervision of a child;
(15) "State" means a state of the United States, the Districtof Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory orinsular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;
(16) "Tribe" means an Indian tribe or band, or Alaskan Nativevillage, which is recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state;
(17) "Warrant" means an order issued by a court authorizinglaw enforcement officers to take physical custody of a child.