§ 11-2-1

Every person who shall abandon his or her spouse or children, leaving them in danger of becoming a public charge, or who shall neglect to provide according to his or her means for the support of his or her spouse or children, or who shall neglect or refuse to aid in the support of his or her spouse and/or children, except as otherwise provided for in § 11-2-1.1, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months. [See § 12-1-15 of the General Laws.] History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 281, § 38; P.L. 1907, ch. 1447, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 347, § 39; G.L. 1923, ch. 399, § 38; G.L. 1938, ch. 610, § 38; G.L. 1956, § 11-2-1; P.L. 1979, ch. 304, § 2; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 374, § 1.