Rhode Island General Laws
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-2 (2026)
Purpose of chapter
✓ current as of July 2026
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This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that families whose unity or well-being is threatened shall be assisted and protected, and restored, if possible, as secure units of law-abiding members; that each child coming within the jurisdiction of the family court shall receive the care, guidance and control which will conduce to his or her welfare and the best interests of the state; and that when a child is removed from the control of his or her parents, the family court shall secure for him or her care as nearly as possible equivalent to that which his or her parents should have given him or her.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10
cases, 1966–2007 · leading case: Rubano v. DiCenzo, 759 A.2d 959 (R.I. 2000).
Rubano v. DiCenzo, 759 A.2d 959 (R.I. 2000). “Section 8-10-2, [5] she argues, buttresses her position because it mandates a "liberal" construction of the Family Court's jurisdictional grant of authority in order to realize the purposes of the law establishing the Family Court.”
Chambers v. Ormiston, 935 A.2d 956 (R.I. 2007). “We first observe that § 8-10-2 expressly provides that the Family Court Act “shall be liberally construed to the end that families whose unity or well-being is threatened shall be assisted and protected, and restored, if possible, as secure units of law-abiding members * *…”
State v. Kenney, 523 A.2d 853 (R.I. 1987). “1956 (1969 Reenactment) chapter 10 of title 8, known as the Family Court Act, the Legislature stated that “[t]his chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that families whose unity or well-being is threatened shall be assisted and protected, and restored, if possible, as…”
Rhode Island Cent. Credit Union v. Pazienza, 572 A.2d 296 (R.I. 1990). “Section 8-10-2 declares that chapter 8 “shall be liberally construed to the end that families whose unity or wellbeing is threatened shall be assisted and protected, and restored, if possible, as secure units of law-abiding members.”
In Re Nicole G., 577 A.2d 248 (R.I. 1990). “” Section 8-10-2. Thus, in situations in which reunification is in the best interests of the children and the State, the Family Court undoubtedly has the power to enter orders designed to bring about such reunification.”
In Re Debra, 445 A.2d 577 (R.I. 1982). “Moreover, § 8-10-2 establishes that one of the purposes of the Family Court is to secure care for the dependent child that is “as nearly as possible equivalent” to that which the child’s parents should have provided.”
In re R. J. P., 445 A.2d 286 (R.I. 1982). “Any duly authorized representative of any public or duly licensed private agency or institution established for purposes similar to those specified in § 8-10-2 or 14-1-2; or “6. Any maternal or paternal grandparent who alleges that the surviving parent, in those cases in which…”
O'Connell v. O'Connell, 216 A.2d 884 (R.I. 1966). “The legislature expressly set forth in §8-10-2, as amended, in clear and unambiguous language the purposes of the family court act.”
In Re Rjp, 445 A.2d 286 (R.I. 1982). “Any duly authorized representative of any public or duly licensed private agency or institution established for purposes similar to those specified in § 8-10-2 or 14-1-2; or "6. Any maternal or paternal grandparent who alleges that the surviving parent, in those cases in which…”
State v. McMahon, 296 A.2d 28 (R.I. 1972). “1, now §8-10-2, which in part proclaims that, “This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that families whose unity or well-being is threatened shall be assisted and protected, and restored * * It was this express legislative aim to preserve the family unit which…”
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