Best Interests of the Child

Statute: R.I. Gen. Laws. § 15-7-7(c) (WESTLAW through End of 2002 Reg. Sess.)

Law:

In considering the termination of rights, the court shall give primary consideration to the physical, psychological, mental, and intellectual needs of the child insofar as that consideration is not inconsistent with other provisions of this chapter.

The consideration shall include the following: If
a child has been placed in foster family care,
voluntarily or involuntarily, the court shall
determine whether the child has been integrated
into the foster family to the extent that the
child's familial identity is with the foster
family and whether the foster family is able and
willing to permanently integrate the child into
the foster family; provided, that in considering
integrating into a foster family, the court
should consider:

The length of time child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining that environment and continuity for the child;

The reasonable preference of the child, if the
court determines that the child has sufficient
capacity to express a reasonable preference.

Concurrent Planning

Statute: R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-12.2(g) (Supp. 1998)

Law:

Reasonable efforts to place a child for adoption or with a legal guardian may be made concurrently with reasonable efforts to reunite the family.