R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-6.1
In the event of any distribution of an employer's assets pursuant to an order of any court under the laws of this state, including receivership, assignment for benefit of creditors, adjudicated insolvency, composition, or similar proceeding, the wages or compensation earned and unpaid not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300) to each wage earner earned within three (3) months of the commencement of the proceeding shall have the same priority in advance of payment of dividends to creditors as is given to wages under the federal Bankruptcy Act, 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq. That amount shall be paid as soon as sufficient sums are available, to employees entitled to the same according to the records of the employer; the employees being relieved of the necessity of filing claims with the receiver, assignee, or trustee unless the amount payable as shown on the books of the employer is not acceptable to any employee, in which case, the employee shall file his or her claim in the same manner as other creditors of the employer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-6.1