§ 33-21.1-18. Notice and publication of lists of abandoned property.
(a) The administrator shall place an advertisement, twice a year, one not later than March 1 and one not later than October 15, at least once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper or combination of newspapers of general circulation that reach each county in the state. The advertisement shall: (1) Not exceed one quarter (¼) of a newspaper page; and (2) List a phone number citizens can call to request a written copy of the unclaimed property publication; and (3) List a website that provides the information contained in the unclaimed property publication. The unclaimed property publication shall consist of two (2) parts.
(b) Part one of the unclaimed property publication must be entitled “Names of Persons Appearing to be Owners of Abandoned Property” and contain:
(1) The names in alphabetical order and last known address, if any, of persons listed in the report and entitled to notice within the state;
(2) A statement that information concerning the property and the name and last known address of the holder may be obtained by any person possessing an interest in the property by addressing an inquiry to the administrator; and
(3) A statement that if proof of claim is not presented by the owner to the holder and the owner’s right to receive the property is not established to the holder’s satisfaction the property will be placed in the custody of the administrator and all further claims must thereafter be directed to the administrator.
(4) This section is not applicable to sums payable on travelers checks, money orders, and other written instruments presumed abandoned under § 33-21.1-4 or museum property subject to chapter 44.1 of title 34.
(c)(1) Part two (2) of the unclaimed property publication must be entitled “Names of Persons Appearing to be Owners of Abandoned Museum Property” and contain the following information that a museum, as defined in chapter 44.1 of title 34, has provided to the administrator:
(i) The name and address of the museum and brief and general description of the unclaimed property, including the approximate date the property came into the custody of the museum;
(ii) If known, the name and address of the lender on record with the museum;
(iii) A request that all persons who may have any knowledge of the whereabouts of the lender provide written notice to the museum;
(iv) The name, and contact information of the person at the museum to be contacted regarding the property; and
(v) Language providing that if a written assertion of title is not presented by the lender to the museum within sixty (60) days from the last day that the notice is included in the unclaimed property publication, the property shall be considered abandoned and donated and shall become the property of the museum.
(2) After notice has been posted in part two (2) of the unclaimed property publication for six (6) months, the administrator shall provide in writing to each museum confirmation of the dates that the properties were included in the unclaimed property publication.
(3) The administrator shall have the authority to establish procedures to implement the provisions of this subsection (c); provided however, that at no time shall any property be placed in the custody of the administrator and provided further that the administrator shall have no authority to determine any claim of ownership. All claims shall be directed to the museum that has custody of the property and any claim of ownership shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of chapter 44.1 of title 34. The administrator, and the administrator’s employees and agents, shall not be liable for any actions taken in carrying out the requirements of this subsection (c).
(d) The administrator is not required to publish in the unclaimed property publication any items of less than fifty dollars ($50.00) unless the administrator considers their publication to be in the public interest or a museum’s requests that an item be published in the unclaimed property publication.
History of Section.P.L. 1986, ch. 500, § 3; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 86, § 2; P.L. 2003, ch. 376, art. 33, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 281, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 160, § 2; P.L. 2013, ch. 219, § 2.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 33 - Probate Practice and Procedure
Chapter 33-21.1 - Unclaimed Intangible and Tangible Property
Section 33-21.1-1. - Definitions and use of terms.
Section 33-21.1-2. - Property presumed abandoned.
Section 33-21.1-2.1. - United States savings bonds unclaimed property escheat procedure.
Section 33-21.1-3. - General rules for taking custody of intangible unclaimed property.
Section 33-21.1-4. - Travelers checks and money orders.
Section 33-21.1-6. - Bank deposits and funds in financial organizations.
Section 33-21.1-7. - Funds owing under life insurance policies.
Section 33-21.1-8. - Deposits held by utilities.
Section 33-21.1-9. - Refunds held by business associations.
Section 33-21.1-10. - Stock and other intangible interests in business associations.
Section 33-21.1-11. - Repealed.
Section 33-21.1-12. - Property held by agents and fiduciaries.
Section 33-21.1-13. - Property held by courts and public agencies.
Section 33-21.1-14. - Gift certificates and credit memos.
Section 33-21.1-14.1. - Property held by police departments.
Section 33-21.1-16. - Contents of safe deposit box or other safekeeping repository.
Section 33-21.1-16.1. - Unclaimed demutualization proceeds.
Section 33-21.1-17. - Report of abandoned property.
Section 33-21.1-18. - Notice and publication of lists of abandoned property.
Section 33-21.1-19. - Payment or delivery of abandoned property.
Section 33-21.1-21. - Crediting of dividends, interest or increments to owner’s account.
Section 33-21.1-22. - Public sale of abandoned property.
Section 33-21.1-23. - Deposit of funds.
Section 33-21.1-24. - Filing of claim with administrator.
Section 33-21.1-25. - Claim of another state to recover property; procedure.
Section 33-21.1-26. - Action to establish claim.
Section 33-21.1-27. - Election to take payment or delivery.
Section 33-21.1-28.1. - Disposition of “de minimis” property.
Section 33-21.1-29. - Limitation periods.
Section 33-21.1-30. - Requests for reports and examination of records.
Section 33-21.1-31. - Retention of records.
Section 33-21.1-32. - Enforcement.
Section 33-21.1-34. - Interest and penalties.
Section 33-21.1-35. - Agreement to locate reported property.
Section 33-21.1-36. - Foreign transactions.
Section 33-21.1-37. - Effect of new provisions — Clarification of application.
Section 33-21.1-39. - Severability.
Section 33-21.1-40. - Uniformity of application and construction.