R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-4-17.1: Longevity payments.

A state employee in the classified or unclassified service who terminates employment and is subsequently reemployed by the state, notwithstanding any rule, regulation, or provision of the general laws to the contrary, shall be eligible to receive an aggregate longevity increase for the period of initial employment. The provisions of this section shall be applied retroactively to those persons reemployed prior to June 1, 1980, and thereafter.