R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-10-23.1
In addition to any service retirement allowance paid to any person who shall have served as a member of the senate or of the house of representatives pursuant to § 36-10-10, there shall be payable, in lieu of the benefit payable on death after retirement as provided by § 36-10-23, the ordinary death benefit provided in § 36-10-21, P.L. 1960, ch. 132, to be paid upon the death of a member occurring while in an employee status before retirement, notwithstanding the death of the former member of the general assembly in fact occurs after retirement, provided the former member of the general assembly had retained his or her ordinary death benefit insurance coverage by paying the annual contribution provided in § 36-10-22.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-10-23.1