Title 15
Domestic Relations

Chapter 14.1
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-14.1-32

§ 15-14.1-32. Hearing and order.

(a) Unless the court issues a temporary emergency order, upon a finding that a petitioner is entitled to immediate physical custody of the child, the court shall order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child unless the respondent establishes that:

(1) The child custody determination has not been registered and confirmed and that:

(i) The issuing court did not have jurisdiction;

(ii) The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so; or

(iii) The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or

(2) The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and confirmed but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so.

(b) The court may award the fees, costs, and expenses and may grant additional relief, including a request for the assistance of law enforcement officials, and set a further hearing to determine whether additional relief is appropriate.

(c) If a party called to testify refuses to answer on the grounds that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the court may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.

(d) A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses and a defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child may not be invoked in a proceeding under this chapter.

History of Section.
P.L. 2003, ch. 307, § 2; P.L. 2003, ch. 322, § 2.