R.I. Gen. Laws § 40.1-8.5-4

Each community mental health center shall be governed by a board composed of at least nine (9) members of recognized ability and/or interest in the problems of mental health and substance abuse. Community mental health boards referred to in this chapter shall be incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island and governed by their bylaws. Members of the community mental health boards shall be derived through nonprofit corporation structures. The membership of each board shall reflect, as much as possible, the diversity of the center’s mental health service area and the consumers it serves.