R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6.6-5: Good-faith negotiations.

It shall be the obligation of the director, or his or her designee, to meet and confer in good faith with the provider representative within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from the provider representative of the request for a meeting for bargaining purposes. This obligation shall include the duty to cause any agreement resulting from the negotiations to be reduced to a written contract.