It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Sections 14-1-3 and 14-1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 14-1 entitled "Proceedings in Family Court" are hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 14-1-3. Definitions. -- ADD} The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as follows:

(A) The term "justice" shall mean a justice of the family court.

(B) The term "the court" shall mean the family court of the state of Rhode Island.

(C) The term "child" shall mean a person under eighteen (18) years of age.

(D) The term "adult" shall mean a person eighteen (18) years of age or older {DEL . DEL} {ADD except that the term "adult" shall include any person seventeen (17) years of age or older who is charged with a delinquent offense involving murder, first degree sexual assault, or assault with intent to commit murder and said person shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of the family court as set forth in sections 14-1-5 and 14-1-6 if, after a hearing the family court determines that probable cause exists to believe that the offense charged has been committed and that the person charged has committed said offense. ADD}

(E) The singular shall be construed to include the plural, the plural the singular, and the masculine the feminine, when consistent with the intent of this chapter.

(F) The term "delinquent" when applied to a child shall mean and include any child--

Who has committed any offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony, or who has on more than one (1) occasion violated any of the other laws of the state or of the United States or any of the ordinances of cities and towns, other than ordinances relating to the operation of motor vehicles.

(G) The term "wayward" when applied to a child shall mean and include any child--

(1) Who has deserted his or her home without good or sufficient cause; or

(2) Who habitually associates with dissolute, vicious or immoral persons; or

(3) Who is leading an immoral or vicious life; or

(4) Who is habitually disobedient to the reasonable and lawful commands of his or her parent or parents, guardian or other lawful custodian; or

(5) Who, being required by chapter 19 of title 16 to attend school, wilfully and habitually absents himself therefrom, or habitually violates rules and regulations of the school when he or she attends; or

(6) Who has on any occasion violated any of the laws of the state or of the United States or any of the ordinances of cities and towns, other than ordinances relating to the operation of motor vehicles.

(H) The term "dependent" shall mean any child who requires the protection and assistance of the court when his or her physical or mental health or welfare is harmed or threatened with harm due to the inability of the parent or guardian, through no fault of the parent or guardian, to provide the child with a minimum degree of care or proper supervision because of (1) the death or illness of a parent or (2) the special medical, educational or social service needs of the child which the parent is unable to provide.

The term "neglect" shall mean a child who requires the protection and assistance of the court when his or her physical or mental health or welfare is harmed or threatened with harm when the parents or guardian:

(a) Fails to supply the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care, though financially able to do so or offered financial or other reasonable means to do so;

(b) Fails to provide the child proper education as required by law.

(c) Abandons and/or deserts said child.

(I) The term "appropriate person" as used in sections 14-1-10 and 14-1-11 shall, except in matters relating to adoptions and child marriages, mean and include--

(1) Any police official of this state, or of any city or town within this state; or

(2) Any duly qualified prosecuting officer of this state, or of any city or town within this state; or

(3) Any director of public welfare of any city or town within this state, or his or her duly authorized subordinate; or

(4) Any truant officer or other school official of any city or town within this state; or

(5) Any duly authorized representative of any public or duly licensed private agency or institution established for purposes similar to those specified in section {ADD s ADD} 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 one (1) parent is deceased, is an unfit and improper person to have custody of any child or children.

{ADD 14-1-5. Exclusive jurisdiction of court. -- ADD} The court shall, as hereinafter set forth, have exclusive original jurisdiction in proceedings.

(A) Concerning any child residing or being within the state who is (1) delinquent, (2) wayward, (3) dependent, (4) neglected, or (5) mentally defective or mentally disordered {DEL . DEL} {ADD , except that any person aged seventeen (17) years of age or older who is charged with a delinquent offense involving murder, first degree sexual assault, or assault with intent to commit murder shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of the family court if after a hearing the family court determines that probable cause exists to believe that the offense charged has been committed and that the person charged has committed said offense. The family court shall conduct such a hearing within ten (10) days of the arraignment on said charge(s), unless the time for said hearing is extended by the court for good cause shown. ADD}

(B) Concerning adoption of children.

(C) To determine the paternity of any child alleged to have been born out of wedlock and to provide for the support and disposition of such child in case such child or its mother has residence within the state.

(D) Relating to child marriages, as prescribed by section 15-2-11.

(E) Referred to the court in accordance with the provisions of section 14-1-28.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.