The bill amends Section 14-1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 14-1, "Proceedings in Family Court," by introducing new definitions and expanding the jurisdiction of the family court regarding special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS). It defines a "child" as a person under eighteen (18) years of age, but for the purposes of SIJS, it specifies that a "child" may also be defined as an unmarried person under the age of twenty-one (21) years.

The bill grants the family court jurisdiction to make factual findings related to SIJS petitions, including determinations about dependency, parental reunification, and the best interests of the child. This includes the authority to award legal custody or appoint a legal guardian for individuals under twenty-one years of age in conjunction with SIJS petitions.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that the family court retains original or continuing jurisdiction to make findings for any petitioner who is under the age of twenty-one at the time of filing, regardless of whether the petitioner has reached eighteen before the court issues its findings. It allows for petitions to be filed as independent actions or in conjunction with other family court proceedings, such as guardianship, child custody, adoption, and dependency matters. Importantly, the court's jurisdiction under this section is limited to making necessary factual determinations to support a petition for SIJS and does not confer any independent immigration status. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
809  SUB A: 14-1-3