R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-29-22: Agreement for alternative scheme — Approval and certification.

Any employer may enter into an agreement with his or her employees in any employment to which chapters 29 — 38 of this title apply to provide a scheme of compensation, benefit, or insurance in lieu of the compensation provided for in those chapters, subject to the approval of the director and the chief judge of the workers’ compensation court. Approval shall be granted only on condition that the scheme proposed provides as great benefits as those provided by these chapters. If the scheme provides for contributions by employees, it shall confer additional benefits at least equivalent to the contributions. If a scheme meets with the approval of the director, he or she shall issue a certificate enabling the employer to contract with any or all of the employer’s employees in employment to which chapters 29 — 38 of this title apply to substitute that scheme for the provisions of those chapters for a period of not more than five (5) years.