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Rhode IslandH70792026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS .

Sponsored By: Robert E. Craven, Sr. (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

More expungement options for nonviolent records

The law lets you ask to expunge more past cases. You can file to clear more than one but fewer than six misdemeanors, or more than one but fewer than five felonies. You must not have any conviction for a crime of violence or other barred offenses. Convictions under chapter 29 of title 12 or §§31-27-2 and 31-27-2.1 are not eligible. If you use the multiple‑felony rule to expunge some felonies, you cannot later expunge other remaining felonies.

No-cost expungement for decriminalized offenses

If your conviction is now decriminalized, the court orders expungement without charging you once you finish your sentence and pay all related fines and fees. You may need to show proof, like an affidavit, that the offense is now decriminalized.

Certain crimes cannot be expunged

The law names offenses that cannot be cleared. These include child abuse or neglect, some assaults involving weapons, weapons crimes, human trafficking, and certain motor‑vehicle death or hit‑and‑run laws. If you have a conviction on the list, you cannot expunge it.

After expungement: records cleared, bail warning

If the court grants expungement, it orders your case removed from public view and sends the order to agencies that hold your records. Agencies must follow the court’s order. Any bail money still on deposit and not claimed at the time of expungement goes to the state’s general treasury. If you do not claim it, you lose that money.

Filing timelines and proof you need

You can file after set waits: 5 years for a single misdemeanor and 10 years for a single felony. Some listed misdemeanors have a 10‑year wait, and multiple felonies require 15 years from finishing your last sentence. To win, you must have no arrests or convictions in the lookback, no pending charges, and you must pay all court fines and fees unless the court reduces or waives them. You must show good character and rehabilitation; the judge may review probation or parole files. You must also give the Attorney General and the charging police department at least 10 days’ notice of the hearing.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Robert E. Craven, Sr.

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Nathan W. Biah

    Democratic • House

  • Terri Cortvriend

    Democratic • House

  • William W. O'Brien

    Democratic • House

  • Evan P. Shanley

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 117 • No: 140

Senate vote • 6/11/2026

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS In Concurrence

Yes: 35 • No: 3

House vote • 6/9/2026

EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT

Yes: 10 • No: 63

House vote • 6/9/2026

EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT

Yes: 11 • No: 62

House vote • 6/9/2026

EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS PASSAGE

Yes: 61 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 171

    6/22/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/16/2026Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/11/2026Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)

    6/9/2026Senate

  5. House passed Sub A

    6/9/2026House

  6. Placed on House Calendar (06/09/2026)

    5/1/2026House

  7. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    4/28/2026

  8. Proposed Substitute

    4/24/2026

  9. Scheduled for consideration (04/28/2026)

    4/24/2026

  10. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    4/2/2026

  11. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/02/2026)

    3/27/2026

  12. Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

    1/14/2026House

Bill Text

  • H7079 - As Introduced

    1/14/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • H7079 - Substitute

    1/14/2026

    HTMLPDF

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