The bill amends Section 14-1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 14-1, which pertains to "Proceedings in Family Court." It establishes exclusive original jurisdiction for the Family Court over various proceedings involving children, including those who are delinquent, wayward, dependent, neglected, or mentally disabled, as well as matters concerning adoption and paternity.

The bill introduces new legal language that creates a framework for concurrent jurisdiction between the Rhode Island Family Court and federal courts regarding cases involving minors who allegedly commit crimes on military installations. Specifically, it states that the Family Court's jurisdiction is concurrent with that of a federal court sitting in the state over proceedings involving a violation of federal law committed by a child on a military installation, provided that the United States Attorney or the federal court waives exclusive jurisdiction and the violation of federal law is also a crime under state law.

Furthermore, when concurrent jurisdiction is established, the Family Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over any case involving a child alleged to be delinquent due to an act committed within the boundaries of a military installation that is a crime or infraction under state law. In cases where a child has previously committed such an act on a military installation, the Family Court shall have exclusive and automatic jurisdiction. The bill is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
557: 14-1-5
557  as amended: 14-1-5