Effective March 2, 2026, the Rhode Island Family Court will implement new assignments for its judicial officers and introduce requirements for live streaming public remote hearings and trials. The changes are outlined in Administrative Order 2026-01, signed by Chief Judge Michael B. Forte.
Under the order, specific judges and magistrates have been assigned to various calendars across different counties. Chief Judge Michael B. Forte will assist on all calendars as permitted by administrative duties. Associate Justice Laureen D’Ambra is assigned to the Child Welfare Calendar in Providence County and will provide assistance elsewhere as needed. Other associate justices and magistrates have received assignments covering areas such as Domestic Relations, Juvenile Justice, Adult Criminal matters, Child Welfare, Miscellaneous Calendars including name change and reciprocal matters where the Office of Child Support Services is not a party, Immigration Calendars, Safe and Secure Babies Court, Juvenile Drug Court, Family Treatment Drug Court, Voluntary Extension of Care (VEC) Calendars, Diversionary Truancy Calendars, Paternity Calendars for all counties where the Office of Child Support Services is a party, Restraining Order Calendars in Kent and Providence Counties, among others.
The order states: “All public hearings and trials conducted remotely (i.e., those matters not listed in R.I. Gen. Laws § 14-1-5 and any other matter requiring confidentiality to protect the interests of minors) shall not go forward unless the proceeding is made accessible to the public through the Judicial Live Stream which can be found at the judiciary’s website, www.courts.rigov.”
This directive ensures that most remote court proceedings remain open to public observation via online streaming unless confidentiality is required by law or to protect minors’ interests.
Administrative Order 2026-01 also rescinds Administrative Order 2024-01 along with any conflicting provisions from previous orders.
The document concludes with: “/s/ Honorable Michael B. Forte Chief Judge of the Family Court”
