R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-4-35

An appointing authority may demote a classified employee under his or her jurisdiction from a position in a class to a position in a lower class, subject to the personnel rules therefor prescribed. In every case the appointing authority shall give the personnel administrator and the employee written notice of his or her intention to effect the demotion not less than fifteen (15) days before the date it is intended to become effective.