R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-2-1: Duty to work — Proclamation of governor — Penalty.

It is the duty of every able-bodied male resident of this state between the ages of eighteen (18) and fifty (50) years to be habitually and regularly engaged in some lawful, useful, and recognized business, profession, occupation, trade, or employment. Whenever the governor of this state issues a proclamation determining that employment is necessary and essential for the protection and welfare of this state and of the United States because of the existence of a state of war in which the United States may be engaged, and from that time on until the termination of that war, any able-bodied male resident of this state between the ages of eighteen (18) and fifty (50) who fails or refuses to be employed for at least thirty-six (36) hours per week shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall pay a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100), or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed three (3) months, or both.