Section 214-RICR-10-00-1.12 - Child Support EnforcementA. The Department is obligated to pay for the support and maintenance of a child in any placement whether public or private or under a purchase of services agreement. Parental responsibility is not eliminated by the voluntary or involuntary placement of a child outside his/her home and family. Whenever the Department pays for the support of a child in the care of the Department, the parents of the child are responsible to contribute to the cost of the child's care. The failure or refusal of a parent to comply with a Family Court order for child support does not result in a denial of services to the child.B. The Department shall make referrals for child support enforcement to the Department of Human Services Office of Child Support Services (OCSS).C. The OCSS, in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-9-3, represents the Department in any Family Court proceedings relating to child support enforcement. The responsibilities of the respective Departments and of the Rhode Island Family Court are set forth in an Interagency Cooperative Agreement executed by and between the Family Court, the Department of Administration and the Department of Children, Youth and Families.D. One or both parents, owing a duty of support, are ordered by the Family Court to pay an amount based upon a formula and guidelines adopted by an administrative order of the Family Court. The formula and guidelines have been established in compliance with federal law, which provide that each state establishes guidelines for child support award amounts. The intent is to maintain family responsibility and commitment to the child by using guidelines which are fair and equitable and which will not result in family impoverishment or conflict with the goal of reunification of the family. Once established, the obligation remains in effect until the child leaves the Department paid placement or until a change in circumstance warrants an adjustment in the application of the guidelines.214 R.I. Code R. 214-RICR-10-00-1.12
Adopted effective 12/27/2018