(a) If an associate judge appointed under this subchapter is temporarily unable to perform the judge's official duties because of absence or illness, injury, or other disability, a judge of a court having jurisdiction of a suit under this title or Title 1 or 4 may appoint a visiting associate judge to perform the duties of the associate judge during the period of the associate judge's absence or disability if the commissioners court of a county in which the court has jurisdiction authorizes the employment of a visiting associate judge.
(b) To be eligible for appointment under this section, a person must have served as an associate judge for at least two years.
(c) Sections 201.001 through 201.017 apply to a visiting associate judge appointed under this section.