Statement of Rhode Islanders for Parentage Equality (RIPE)

As parents, families, community members, and organizations advocating for the legal security of all children and families in Rhode Island, we are thrilled with today’s vote by the House Committee on Judiciary to advance the Rhode Island Uniform Parentage Act.

We are grateful for the work done by lead House sponsor Representative Carol McEntee and her co-sponsors, as well as the members of the House Committee on Judiciary. They arrived at a collaborative bill that centers the needs of Rhode Island’s children and incorporates the perspective of the many stakeholders who care about Rhode Island children and families – including parents, community members and the Family Court. We also thank lead Senate Sponsor Erin Lynch Prata who led a similar effort in the Senate earlier this year.

With the ongoing risks of COVID-19, the need to ensure that all children in Rhode Island have access to the protections of legal parentage could not be more urgent. The Uniform Parentage Act will provide that security.   

We are hopeful that the when the full House meets on July 16 they will follow the lead of the House Committee on Judiciary and pass this important legislation to support justice and equality for all children and families in Rhode Island.

Click to learn more about the Rhode Island Uniform Parentage Act!