{"data":{"id":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-15-23.1-701","jurisdiction":"us-ri","citation":"R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-23.1-701","heading":"Definitions.","body":"In this chapter:\n(1) “Application” means a request under the convention by an obligee or obligor, or on behalf of a child, made through a central authority for assistance from another central authority.\n(2) “Central authority” means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in subdivision 15-23.1-101(5)(iv) to perform the functions specified in the convention.\n(3) “Convention support order” means a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country described in subdivision 15-23.1-101(5)(iv).\n(4) “Direct request” means a petition filed by an individual in a tribunal of this state in a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor, or child residing outside the United States.\n(5) “Foreign central authority” means the entity designated by a foreign country described in subdivision 15-23.1-101(5)(iv) to perform the functions specified in the convention.\n(6) “Foreign support agreement”:\n(i) An agreement for support in a record that:\n(A) Is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin;\n(B) Has been:\n(I) Formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal; or\n(II) Authenticated by, or concluded, registered, or filed with a foreign tribunal; and\n(C) May be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal; and\n(ii) Includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the convention.\n(7) “United States central authority” means the secretary of the United States department of health and human services.","path":["Title 15 Domestic Relations","Chapter 23.1 Uniform Interstate Family Support Act","Article 7 Support Proceeding Under Convention"],"source_url":"https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE15/15-23.1/15-7/15-23.1-701.htm","current_through":"site files published 2025-08-13","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T19:55:40Z","sha256":"4878231b0b8cbe43724270b982bf1a67a3825309e449fe1d8627bb0853824379","source_id":"us-ri","stale":true,"prev":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-15-23.1-616","next":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-15-23.1-702"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}