R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-2-7: Property abandoned by deceased or discharged residents.

All personal property, excepting moneys, that shall have been left by any discharged or deceased patient or inmate in any institution under the control of the department of human services and that, now or hereafter, shall not have been claimed by any of the discharged or deceased patients or inmates, or their next of kin, within one year from the date of discharge or decease, shall be deemed to have been abandoned. All abandoned personal property shall be disposed of as provided in this chapter.