R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-16-1: Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to enhance the enforcement of support obligations by providing a swift and effective procedure for the withholding of income derived in this state to enforce support orders issued in this state or other jurisdictions, and by providing a mechanism by which income withholding, to enforce the support orders issued in this state, may be sought in other jurisdictions. This chapter shall be applicable to support obligations established or enforceable in this state, including support obligations enforceable pursuant to the Rhode Island state plan for child and spousal support enforcement, as the plan may be adopted and amended by the Rhode Island department of human services in accordance with title IV, part D, § 454 of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 654, and as more fully defined in § 15-16-2. This chapter shall be construed liberally to effect this purpose.