R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-3.1
Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of chapters 39 - 41 of this title, a governmental entity which is a political subdivision or instrumentality of a political subdivision, or an instrumentality of more than one of them or any instrumentality of them and one or more other political subdivisions, may become subject to those chapters by election. The appropriate political subdivision may for itself or any pertinent instrumentality of it elect that all services performed by individuals or specific classes of individuals in its employ shall be deemed to constitute employment subject to these chapters with exceptions set forth in § 28-39-3.3; provided, that if the instrumentality pertains to more than one political subdivision, all those subdivisions shall be required to be parties to the election. Upon the approval of an election as provided in § 28-39-3.2, the governmental entity shall, for the purposes of these chapters, be deemed to be an employer of the individual or classes of individuals for whom the election is approved. Except as otherwise provided in this title, all other provisions of these chapters shall continue to be applicable in connection with the employment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-39-3.1