R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-2-10

The state general treasurer, upon receipt of the abandoned personal property and a list or declaration, shall sell the articles at public sale advertised in a manner that, to the general treasurer, shall seem satisfactory, and the general treasurer shall remit the proceeds received from the sale to the director, together with a list or declaration setting forth the amount of money to be credited to the account of each discharged or deceased patient or inmate.