R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-12: Vacancy in office or inability of chief judge of family court.

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of chief judge of the family court, or whenever the chief judge shall be unable, by reason of illness or absence, to perform the duties of his or her office, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as provided in § 8-3-4 for filling a vacancy in the office of presiding justice of the superior court.