The bill proposes amendments to Section 14-1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 14-1, which pertains to proceedings in Family Court. The amendments include a new definition section, which clarifies terms such as "adult," "appropriate person," "child," "the court," "delinquent," "dependent," "justice," "neglect," "supervised independent living setting," "voluntary placement agreement for extension of care," "wayward," "young adult," and "electronic surveillance and monitoring devices." Notably, the definition of "wayward" when applied to a child includes a new legal reference, changing from section 21-28.11-22 to 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(v), to align with current statutory penalties for possession of marijuana offenses as outlined in the Rhode Island cannabis act.

The bill also specifies that the term "wayward" encompasses various behaviors such as deserting home without cause, associating with immoral persons, leading an immoral life, being disobedient, absenting from school, violating laws, and specifically includes a provision related to marijuana possession offenses for those under seventeen years of age. The bill is set to take effect upon passage, indicating that the changes will be immediate once the bill is enacted into law. The explanation provided by the Legislative Council clarifies that the purpose of the act is to update the definition of a wayward offense in the family court to conform to the current statutory penalties for marijuana possession offenses as established by the Rhode Island cannabis act.

Statutes affected:
910: 14-1-3