Rhode Island Expands Criminal Record Expungement Eligibility for Multiple Felonies and Misdemeanors

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS (Permits those individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to have their records expunged and provides criteria for the court to consider in determining whether the person is of good character.)

Last action · June 22, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Jake Bissaillon and 9 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Rhode Island now permits individuals convicted of multiple felonies and s to have their criminal records expunged, establishing specific statutory criteria for courts to evaluate an applicant's good character. The measure took effect upon being signed into law on June 22, 2026.

Why it matters

eligibility changes employment, housing, and licensing opportunities for individuals with multiple past convictions by removing public record barriers.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors

They gain legal eligibility to have their criminal records expunged subject to court evaluation.

Directly affected

Courts

They must apply new statutory criteria to evaluate good character in expungement proceedings.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is newly eligible to apply for record expungement under this law?

Individuals convicted of multiple felonies and s are permitted to have their records expunged.

How does the court determine eligibility for record expungement?

The court evaluates specific statutory criteria to determine whether the person is of good character.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

11 actions

Jun 22, 2026Enrolled
Signed by Governor
Jun 18, 2026
Transmitted to Governor
Jun 9, 2026Floor
House passed Sub A in concurrence
Jun 9, 2026
Placed on House Calendar (06/09/2026)
Apr 1, 2026Committee
Referred to House Judiciary
Mar 31, 2026Floor
Senate passed Sub A

Show 5 earlier actions

Mar 27, 2026
Placed on Senate Calendar (03/31/2026)
Mar 26, 2026Floor
Committee recommends passage of Sub A
Mar 24, 2026
Proposed Substitute
Mar 24, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/26/2026)
Mar 5, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Version history

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