R.I. Gen. Laws § 6A-8-601: Savings clause.

(a) This chapter does not affect an action or proceeding commenced before this chapter takes effect.

(b) If a security interest in a security is perfected at the date this chapter takes effect, and the action by which the security interest was perfected would suffice to perfect a security interest under this chapter, no further action is required to continue perfection. If a security interest in a security is perfected at the date this chapter takes effect but the action by which the security interest was perfected would not suffice to perfect a security interest under this chapter, the security interest remains perfected for a period of four months after the effective date and continues perfected thereafter if appropriate action to perfect under this chapter is taken within that period. If a security interest is perfected at the date this chapter takes effect and the security interest can be perfected by filing under this chapter, a financing statement signed by the secured party instead of the debtor may be filed within that period to continue perfection or thereafter to perfect.