2020 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 14 - Delinquent and Dependent Children
Chapter 14-1 Proceedings in Family Court
Section 14-1-69 Hearsay.
§ 14-1-69. Hearsay.
In any custody and/or termination trial and/or a hearing on a motion or probable cause hearing where a petition has been filed by the department of children, youth, and families in accordance with §§ 14-1-11, 40-11-7 and/or 15-7-7 in the family court, the court may, in its discretion, permit as evidence any statement by a child under the age of thirteen (13) years old about a prescribed act of abuse, neglect, or misconduct by a parent or guardian, if that statement was made spontaneously within a reasonable time after the act is alleged to have occurred, and if the statement was made to someone the child would normally turn to for sympathy, protection, or advice.
History of Section.
(P.L. 1985, ch. 381, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 303, § 1.)