Rhode Island General Laws Title 37. Public Property and Works § 37-12-2. Rights of persons furnishing labor and materials

Every person who shall have performed labor and every person who shall have furnished or supplied labor, material, or equipment in the prosecution of the work provided for in the contract, in respect of which a payment bond is furnished under § 37-12-1, and who has not been paid in full therefor before the expiration of a period of ninety (90) days after the day on which the last of the labor was performed or furnished by him or her, or material or equipment furnished or supplied by him or her for which a claim is made, shall have the right to sue on the payment bond for the amount, or the balance thereof, unpaid at the time of institution of the suit and to prosecute the action to final execution and judgment for the sum or sums justly due him or her; provided, however, that any person having direct contractual relationship with a subcontractor but no contractual relationship express or implied with the contractor furnishing the payment bond shall have a right of action upon the payment bond upon giving written notice to the contractor within ninety (90) days from the date on which the person furnished or performed the last of the labor, or furnished or supplied the last of the material or equipment for which the claim is made, stating with substantial accuracy the amount claimed and the name of the party to whom the labor was furnished or performed or the material or equipment was furnished or supplied. The notice shall be served by mailing the same by certified mail, postage prepaid, in an envelope addressed to the contractor at any place he or she maintains an office, conducts his or her business, or his or her residence.