§ 15-3.1-1 Definitions
§ 15-3.1-2 Eligibility
§ 15-3.1-3 Repealed
§ 15-3.1-4 Repealed
§ 15-3.1-5 Conscience and religious organizations protected
§ 15-3.1-6 Benefits, protections, and responsibilities
§ 15-3.1-7 References and inclusions
§ 15-3.1-8 Reciprocity
§ 15-3.1-9 Dissolution of civil unions
§ 15-3.1-10 Requirement of department of health – Civil unions
§ 15-3.1-11 Severability
§ 15-3.1-12 Merger of civil union into marriage by action of the parties
§ 15-3.1-13 Recognized date of marriage

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 15-3.1 - Civil Unions

  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9