Laws
State Laws
Pennsylvania Custody and Visitation Law
Courts typically will not consider a parent’s sexual orientation in custody and visitation determinations unless it is shown to adversely affect or harm the child(ren). There have been no cases dealing with transgender parents. Courts will allow a former same-sex partner (with no legal or biological relationship to the child(ren)) to petition for visitation.
Pennsylvania Donor Insemination Law
There is no provision on donor insemination in Pennsylvania state law.
Pennsylvania School Law
Pennsylvania law does not address school issues relating to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Pennsylvania Surrogacy Law
Pennsylvania surrogacy law is ambiguous. It appears that a compensated surrogacy agreement would be held unenforceable; however, an arrangement established through a legally recognized agency seems to be legal. The validity of informal arrangements is even less certain.
Rhode Island Adoption Law
Rhode Island Custody and Visitation Law
There have been no cases dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender parents. Courts will allow a former same-sex partner (with no legal or biological relationship to the child(ren)) to petition for visitation.
Rhode Island Donor Insemination Law
There is no provision on donor insemination in Rhode Island state law.
Rhode Island School Laws
Rhode Island law does not explicitly address school issues relating to sexual orientation or gender identity; however, the State Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education includes sexual orientation in its anti-discriminaton policy memo.
Rhode Island Surrogacy Law
Rhode Island law does not directly address surrogacy, but it appears to approve of at least some forms of surrogacy. The issue of surrogacy agreements involving lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) individuals has not yet been considered by the courts.