Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, Connors, Parella and Gallo
Date Introduced : February 9, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 15-5-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 15-5 entitled "Divorce and Separation" is hereby amended to read as follows:
15-5-20. Service on or notice to defendant. -- No
person shall be entitled to a divorce from the bond of marriage
unless the defendant shall, in accordance with rules adopted by
the court, have been personally served with process if within
the state, or with personal notice duly authenticated if out of
the state, or unless the defendant shall have entered an appearance
in the cause; or unless it shall appear to the satisfaction of
the court that the petitioner does not know the address nor the
residence of the defendant and has not been able to ascertain
either after reasonable and due inquiry and search for six (6)
months, in which case the court, or in vacation a judge thereof,
may authorize notice by publication of the pendency of the petition
for divorce to be given in a manner provided by law {DEL . DEL}
{ADD ; provided however, in cases where indigence has been established,
the court mayADD}
{ADD as an alternative to publication and ADD} {ADD upon motion and in appropriate circumstance authorize
an alternate means of service of process in the manner provided
by Rule 4 of the family court rules of procedure for domestic
relations. ADD}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
