# R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-3: Definitions

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-3

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-3
- **Heading:** Definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 42 / Chapter 42-72 / Section 42-72-3

## Text

For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) €œAdvocate€ means the child advocate or any of the child advocate's agents, servants, or employees as established pursuant to this title.

(2) €œChild€ or €œchildren€ means any person under the age of eighteen (18); provided that children over the age of eighteen (18) and who continue to receive services from the department and/or who are defined as emotionally disturbed and/or as children with functional developmental disabilities as referenced in this section shall be considered €œchildren€ for all the purposes of this chapter.

(3) €œChild abuse and neglect€ is that term as defined in chapter 11 of title 40.

(4) €œDepartment€ means the department of children, youth and families.

(5) €œDirector€ means the director of children, youth and families, or the director's designee.

(6) €œInfant€ means any person under the age of twenty-four (24) months.

(7) €œNear fatality€ means an act that, as certified by a physician, placed the child in serious or critical condition.

(8) €œRegional service center€ means the respective local or regional units established by the director.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-1 § 42-72-1. Establishment of department €” Director.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-2 § 42-72-2. Declaration of policy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-3 § 42-72-3. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-4 § 42-72-4. Qualifications and duties of director.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-5 § 42-72-5. Powers and scope of activities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-5.1 § 42-72-5.1. Adoption of children placed under foster care.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-5.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-5.2 § 42-72-5.2. Development of a continuum of children€™s behavioral health programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-5.2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-5.3 § 42-72-5.3. Accreditation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-5.3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-6 § 42-72-6. Deputies and administrators.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-7 § 42-72-7. Central registry.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-8 § 42-72-8. Confidentiality of records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-8.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-9 § 42-72-9. Regional service centers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-10 § 42-72-10. Development of service plan.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-11 § 42-72-11. Protective services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T42_C42-72_S42-72-3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.