§ 16-19-8 - Jurisdiction of family court. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 16-19-8

   § 16-19-8  Jurisdiction of family court.– (a) Jurisdiction of cases arising under § 16-19-1 may reside with juvenilehearing boards in those cities and towns that so desire to hear these cases andwhich have established juvenile hearing boards. Any municipal juvenile hearingboard established pursuant to this section shall, prior to hearing anycompulsory attendance cases, inform the chief judge of the family court, inwriting, of its establishment and plan to hear compulsory attendance cases. Inall other cases arising under § 16-19-1 jurisdiction shall be with thefamily court. The town of North Providence shall have the authority toestablish a juvenile hearing board pursuant to this section.

   (b) The family court shall also have authority to issueequitable orders, enforceable through contempt of court proceedings, needed toenforce § 16-19-1. As an alternative to the procedure set out in §16-19-1, the school committee may file a civil complaint seeking injunctiverelief in truancy cases. If the family court rules in favor of the schoolcommittee the court may issue an injunction, enforceable through contempt ofcourt proceedings, requiring compliance with the compulsory attendance law.Neither prior resort to enforcement proceedings under § 16-19-1 nor ashowing of irreparable injury shall be prerequisite to injunctive relief underthis section.