R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-12: Appointment of clerk pro tempore.

In case of the death, resignation, absence, inability, or refusal to serve of any of the superior court clerks, the chief justice, or the presiding justice of the court in which the vacancy, or inability, or refusal to serve occurs, may appoint a clerk pro tempore, who shall hold his or her office until the clerk shall have returned or the inability shall have been removed or another clerk shall have been appointed to fill the vacancy and shall have qualified.