R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-35: Appointment of stenographers.

The justices of the family court, or a majority of them, shall appoint competent shorthand writers or stenotypists for regular service in the court and one or more such writers for occasional service therein in the absence of other appointees, who shall be known as court stenographers. They shall serve during the pleasure of the court and where designated by the chief judge.