R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-2-4: Notice of balance to credit of deceased or discharged resident.

When a balance remains after the payment of the amount due the department of human services for care and treatment, the director shall cause notice of the balance to be mailed, postage prepaid, to each discharged patient or inmate at his or her last known address or to the nearest known next of kin of any deceased patient or inmate.