R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-8.1-3: State archives created.

(a) There shall be an establishment known as “the archives of the state of Rhode Island”, also referred to in this chapter as “the state archives” or “the division”.

(b) The state archives shall be a division of the department of state, as mandated by § 42-8-19.

(c) Except as provided by §§ 42-10-9 and 38-3-6, the division shall be the official custodian and trustee for the state of all permanent records, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that are transferred to it from any public office of the state or any political subdivision thereof.