R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-8.14-5: Authority of the department of administration.

In accordance with chapter 8.15 of this title, the director shall have the authority to:

(1) Meet and negotiate with any provider representative chosen pursuant to § 40-8.15-2(a);

(2) In coordination with the secretary, negotiate over any of the topics in § 40-8.14-4(c) and any other appropriate matters governing the workforce of individual providers without infringing on participants’ or their responsible parties’ rights and responsibilities to hire, direct, supervise, or terminate the employment of their individual providers; and

(3) Execute a collective bargaining agreement, subject to any approval required under § 40-8.15-5.