R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 14-1-2 (2026)

Purpose of chapter

✓ current as of July 2026
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The purpose of this chapter is:

(1) To secure for each child under its jurisdiction the care, guidance, and control, preferably in his or her own home, that will serve the child’s welfare and the best interests of the state;

(2) To conserve and strengthen the child’s family ties wherever possible, removing him or her from the custody of his or her parents only when his or her welfare or the safety and protection of the public cannot be adequately safeguarded without that removal; and

(3) When a child is removed from his or her own family, to secure for him or her custody, care, and discipline as nearly as possible equivalent to that which should have been given by his or her parents.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 14 cases, 1961–2010 · leading case: Inmates of Boys' Training Sch. v. Affleck, 346 F. Supp. 1354 (D.R.I. 1972).
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Inmates of Boys' Training Sch. v. Affleck, 346 F. Supp. 1354 (D.R.I. 1972). · cites it 3× “The purpose of removing a juvenile from his family enunciated by the Rhode Island legislature is “to secure for him custody, care and discipline as nearly as possible equivalent to that which should have been given by his parents.”
State v. Mastracchio, 546 A.2d 165 (R.I. 1988). · cites it 2× “2d 84, 93-94 (1966); § 14-1-2. 3 The Family Court, however, is a statutory court that possesses limited jurisdiction, a court whose powers are restricted to those conferred by the Legislature.”
Morris v. D'AMARIO, 416 A.2d 137 (R.I. 1980). “In § 14-1-2 of the Family Court Act the Legislature has set forth the following principles to guide the Family Court’s disposition of all children coming under its jurisdiction: 1.”
In Re Jermaine H., 9 A.3d 1227 (R.I. 2010). · cites it 2× “G.L.1956 § 14-1-2. The fact that the trial justice iterated this function is not evidence of bias in favor of DCYF or against respondent.”
In Re John D., 479 A.2d 1173 (R.I. 1984). · cites it 2× “However, since such person is a minor requiring the type of care, guidance and control that will serve both the child’s welfare and best interests of the state, disposition therefore in accordance with § 14-1-2 is required. 1 See In re Michael, R.”
Carr v. Prader, 725 A.2d 291 (R.I. 1999). · cites it 2× “” Section 14-1-2. If the Family Court makes a finding of neglect or abuse, the court can either place the child back in his or her home under Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) supervision or grant custody to DCYF “until such time as it finds that the child may…”
Engelhardt v. Bergeron, 317 A.2d 877 (R.I. 1974). · cites it 2× “1956 *53 (1969 Reenactment) §14-1-2, 2 that only in the most extreme cases should a child be removed from the care and custody of his parents.”
In Re Michael, 423 A.2d 1180 (R.I. 1981). “A juvenile is delinquent or wayward, not because the juvenile has committed a crime, but because the juvenile has committed an act that would be a crime if committed by a person not a juvenile and because the juvenile requires “such care, guidance and control * * * as will serve…”
In Re Doe, 390 A.2d 390 (R.I. 1978). “General Laws 1956 (1969 Reenactment) §14-1-2 provides: “[T]he purpose of this chapter is to secure for each child under its jurisdiction such care, guidance and control * * * as will serve the child’s welfare and the best interests of the state; * * * and, when such child is…”
In Re Bernard H., 557 A.2d 864 (R.I. 1989). “It is hoped that repeated adjudications of delinquency will operate as a red flag to the Family Court in furtherance of its objectives under § 14-1-2. It will assure the juvenile offender such care, rehabilitative guidance, and control as the court deems necessary in promoting…”
Long v. Langlois, 170 A.2d 618 (R.I. 1961). “1956, §14-1-2. The petitioners take nothing by reason of airy of the constitutional provisions already referred to and relied on by them.”
In Re Amanda M., 626 A.2d 1277 (R.I. 1993). “1956 (1981 Reenactment) § 14-1-2, the Family Court is charged with securing for each child under its jurisdiction “such care, guidance and control, preferably in his own home, as will serve the child’s welfare and the best interests of the state.”
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