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Rhode IslandS30362026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Jacob Bissaillon (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

More expungement chances for nonviolent records

The law lets people with 2 to 5 misdemeanors ask to clear any or all of them. It also lets people with 2 to 4 felonies ask to clear any or all of those felonies, for eligible nonviolent offenses. If you use the multi‑felony pathway, you cannot later clear the rest of your otherwise‑eligible felonies. You can file after fixed wait times: 5 years for a single misdemeanor, 10 years for a single felony, 10 years from your last sentence for multiple misdemeanors, and 15 years from your last sentence for multiple felonies. If you had a deferred sentence, you can seek expungement after you finish it and the court holds a hearing.

Agencies must remove expunged records

When the court grants expungement, it orders all conviction records and index references removed from public view. The court sends the order to the attorney general and any police or agencies known to hold the records. Those agencies must follow the court’s instructions.

Violent and serious crimes stay ineligible

People convicted of a crime of violence or other listed serious offenses cannot get an expungement. Examples include assaults causing serious injury, child abuse and neglect, weapons crimes, human trafficking, and certain driving crimes like duty to stop after an accident, driving to endanger, and DUI causing death. Convictions under chapter 29 of title 12 and §§ 31-27-2 and 31-27-2.1 are also excluded.

What judges look for to expunge

A judge can clear your record only if you meet key tests. You must have no arrests or convictions during the look‑back period, no pending criminal cases, and you must pay court fines and fees unless the court reduces or waives them. You must show good moral character and rehabilitation, and the court must find it is in the public interest. You also must give the attorney general and the charging police department at least 10 days’ notice of the hearing.

Free expungement for decriminalized offenses

If your offense is now decriminalized, the court clears your record at no cost after a hearing. You must have finished all sentence conditions and paid any fines, fees, and costs tied to the conviction. The court can require proof, such as an affidavit, that your conviction is for a decriminalized offense.

Unclaimed bail goes to the state

At your expungement hearing, the court tells you that any bail still on deposit and not claimed then goes to the state’s general treasury.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jacob Bissaillon

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Samuel W. Bell

    Democratic • Senate

  • Frank A. Ciccone, III

    Democratic • Senate

  • Andrew R. Dimitri

    Democratic • Senate

  • Hanna M. Gallo

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matthew L. LaMountain

    Democratic • Senate

  • Valarie J. Lawson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mark P. McKenney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ana B. Quezada

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lori Urso

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 90 • No: 16

House vote • 6/9/2026

EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 56 • No: 14

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS Passage

Yes: 34 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 172

    6/22/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/18/2026Governor

  3. House passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/9/2026House

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

    6/9/2026House

  5. Referred to House Judiciary

    4/1/2026House

  6. Senate passed Sub A

    3/31/2026Senate

  7. Placed on Senate Calendar (03/31/2026)

    3/27/2026Senate

  8. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    3/26/2026

  9. Proposed Substitute

    3/24/2026

  10. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/26/2026)

    3/24/2026

  11. Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

    3/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

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