R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-5-14
The district court at any session thereof in any county where any kindred shall reside, upon the petition of the director of public welfare of any town, or the department of human services of the state through its representative duly appointed for that purpose, who shall have been at any expense for the relief and support of any pauper, may on due hearing, either upon the appearance or default of the kindred, they being summoned as prescribed in § 40-5-15, assess and apportion such sum within the limitation of time prescribed by § 40-5-17 as the court shall judge reasonable therefor, upon such of the kindred as the court shall judge to be of sufficient ability, and according thereto, and may enforce payment thereof by warrant of distress.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-5-14