R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-4-37
An appointing authority may lay off a classified employee whenever he or she deems it necessary because of a material change in duties or organization, or shortage or stoppage of work or funds. In every case of layoff, the appointing authority shall, before the effective date of the layoff, give written notice of his or her action to the personnel administrator and the employee and shall certify that consideration has been given to length and quality of service of all employees in the affected class under his or her jurisdiction. No employee with full status shall be laid off while probational, provisional, or temporary employees are employed by the same appointing authority in the same class of positions. No probationary employee shall be laid off while provisional or temporary employees are employed by the same appointing authority in the same class of positions. No provisional employee shall be laid off while temporary employees are employed by the same appointing authority in the same class of positions. Nor shall any temporary appointment be made to any position in the class by the appointing authority while any employee who has been laid off by the appointing authority is available for certification from a reemployment list. Any person who has held full status and who has been laid off shall have his or her name placed on the appropriate reemployment list.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-4-37