An employee who has elected to participate in a program in accordance with the provisions of § 16-17.1-2(b) and who has not withdrawn his or her contribution as provided in § 16-17.1-3 shall continue to be a member of the state employees retirement system and service with the state colleges while participating in the program shall be considered as service under the system; provided, however, that the employee shall be required to make no further contributions to the system and provided further that should the employee leave the employ of the state or become employed by the state in a capacity which does not qualify him or her for membership in the state employees retirement system before he or she has completed ten (10) years of service as an employee under a program or as a member of the state employees retirement system, he or she shall have the right pursuant to § 36-10-8 to obtain a refund of his or her own contributions made under the state employees retirement system from the state retirement board without interest.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-17.1-4