Notwithstanding the authority of either the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, the board of governors for higher education, or the appointing authorities of the several colleges and institutions within the jurisdiction of the board of governors for higher education, or any general or public law to the contrary, the director of administration shall be notified by the aforesaid authorities of their vacant positions in the classified service of the state and he or she shall give his or her approval thereto in writing before those vacancies may be filled.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-11-2.1