R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-4-50.1
The personnel administrator in consultation with the equal employment opportunity administrator within the department of administration shall identify classes of positions within state government in which there exists a need for a particular linguistic background or skill. Service oriented departments of state, including, but not limited to, Rhode Island state police, labor and training, corrections, children, youth, and families, courts, human services, and transportation shall identify those positions that will best serve persons utilizing the services of the departments and notify the personnel administrator of those positions. Based on recognition by the aforementioned administrators that a need for employees with a specific linguistic background or skill exists in order to serve the client population, the personnel administrator is authorized during the initial hiring process to certify names from other than the top six names on a certified list as required by § 36-4-26. The personnel administrator shall promulgate rules and regulations under the administrative procedures act to carry out the provisions of this section; furthermore, it is the legislative intent of the general assembly that the rules and regulations shall be promulgated with due regard to the linguistic background of the population to be served, to the specific requirements of this section, to other relevant provisions of this chapter, and to the terms of existing collective bargaining agreements.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-4-50.1