Section 11-17-1.1 - Forgery - Public assistance check or authorization(a) Any person who shall knowingly forge or cause to be forged one or more public assistance benefit check or authorization issued pursuant to chapter 6 of title 40, when the total value of the check or authorization so forged or caused to be forged in any period of twelve (12) consecutive months exceeds five hundred dollars ($500), shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.(b) Any person who shall knowingly forge or cause to be forged any public assistance benefit check or authorization issued pursuant to chapter 6 of title 40, when the value of the check or authorization forged or caused to be forged shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500), shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both.(c) All criminal actions for any violation of this section shall be prosecuted by the attorney general.R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-17-1.1