R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-5.3-4: Election of benefit corporation status.

(a) An existing corporation may become a benefit corporation under this chapter by amending its articles of incorporation so that they contain, in addition to the requirements of § 7-1.2-202, a statement that the corporation is a benefit corporation. In order to be effective, the amendment must be adopted by at least the minimum status vote.

(b) If an entity that is not a benefit corporation is a party to a merger or conversion and the surviving or resulting entity in the merger or consolidation is to be a benefit corporation, the merger or conversion must be approved by the entity by at least the minimum status vote.