R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-23.1-704: Initiation by the Rhode Island department of human services — Office of child support services.

(a) In a support proceeding under this chapter, the department of human services — office of child support services of this state shall:

(1) Transmit and receive applications; and

(2) Initiate or facilitate the institution of a proceeding regarding an application in a tribunal of this state.

(b) The following support proceedings are available to an obligee under the convention:

(1) Recognition or recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order;

(2) Enforcement of a support order issued or recognized in this state;

(3) Establishment of support order if there is no existing order, including, if necessary, determination of parentage of a child;

(4) Establishment of support order if recognition of a foreign support order is refused under § 15-23.1-708(b)(2), (b)(4), or (b)(9);

(5) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this state; and

(6) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.

(c) The following support proceedings are available under the convention to an obligor against which there is an existing support order:

(1) Recognition of an order suspending or limiting enforcement of an existing support order of a tribunal of this state;

(2) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this state; and

(3) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.

(d) A tribunal of this state may not require security, bond, or deposit, however described, to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses in proceedings under the convention.