Bill Sponsors
Craven, Biah, Cortvriend, Shanley, and O'Brien
Committee
House Judiciary
Summary
Select
This legislation expands the criteria for criminal record expungement in Rhode Island. Currently, expungement is generally reserved for first offenders or those with multiple misdemeanors. This bill allows individuals who have been convicted of between two and four felonies to petition the court to have their records expunged. To qualify, the applicant must wait fifteen years after completing their last sentence, have no pending criminal proceedings, and not have been convicted of a crime of violence or other specific prohibited offenses. The court must also determine that the applicant has demonstrated good moral character and rehabilitation.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Promotes social justice and rehabilitation by removing long-standing barriers to employment and housing for individuals who have served their time and remained crime-free for fifteen years.
- Reduces the long-term stigmatization of individuals with past criminal histories, allowing them to reintegrate more fully into their communities and contribute to the economy.
- Addresses systemic inequities by providing a legal pathway for a "clean slate," which may disproportionately benefit marginalized communities that are often over-represented in the criminal justice system.
Cons for Progressives
- The fifteen-year waiting period is excessively long, delaying necessary relief and economic stability for individuals who have likely already been rehabilitated for many years.
- Maintains strict exclusions for "crimes of violence" and other offenses, potentially failing to assist individuals whose past actions were driven by poverty or mental health issues rather than malice.
- Relies heavily on judicial discretion regarding "good moral character," which can introduce subjective bias and result in inconsistent outcomes for poor or minority petitioners.
Pros for Conservatives
- Encourages personal responsibility and long-term adherence to the law by requiring a substantial fifteen-year crime-free period before eligibility is granted.
- Potentially reduces the burden on state welfare programs by allowing rehabilitated individuals to clear their records and obtain gainful employment in the private sector.
- Upholds public safety by strictly excluding violent criminals, domestic abusers, and those convicted of driving under the influence resulting in death from receiving expungements.
Cons for Conservatives
- Obscures public records, preventing employers and business owners from accessing the full criminal history of potential employees, which interferes with the freedom to make informed hiring decisions.
- Undermines the concept of consequences for criminal behavior by allowing repeat felony offenders, rather than just first-time offenders, to erase their history.
- Increases the administrative burden on the court system and law enforcement agencies required to process and review these expungement motions.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Convicted Felons
- State Courts
- Law Enforcement Agencies
- Employers
- Landlords
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
Amount unknown
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
Measures population affected and overall level of impact.
Freedom Impact
Level of individual freedom impacted by the bill.
Public Services
How much the bill is likely to impact one or more public services.
Regulatory
Estimated regulatory burden imposed on the subject(s) of the bill.
Clarity of Bill Language
How clear the language of the bill is. Higher ambiguity equals a lower score.
Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
Impact the bill will have on the environment, positive or negative.
Privacy Impact
Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.
Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/14/2026 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Sections 12-1.3-1, 12-1.3-2 and 12-1.3-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 12- 1.3 entitled "Expungement of Criminal Records" are hereby amended to read as follows:
12-1.3-1. Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter only, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Crime of violence” includes murder, manslaughter, first-degree arson, kidnapping with intent to extort, robbery, larceny from the person, first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, first- and second-degree child molestation, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to rob, assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual assault, burglary, and entering a dwelling house with intent to commit murder, robbery, sexual assault, or larceny.
(2) “Expungement of records and records of conviction” means the sealing and retention of all records of a conviction and/or probation and the removal from active files of all records and information relating to conviction and/or probation.
(3) “First offender” means a person who has been convicted of a felony offense or a misdemeanor offense, and who has not been previously convicted of or placed on probation for a felony or a misdemeanor and against whom there is no criminal proceeding pending in any court.
(4) “Law enforcement agency” means a state police organization of this or any other state; the enforcement division of the department of environmental management; the office of the state fire marshal; the capitol police; a law enforcement agency of the federal government; and any agency, department, or bureau of the United States government that has as one of its functions the gathering of intelligence data.
(5) “Misdemeanor” includes, but is not limited to, those crimes previously classified as felonies under law at the time the original sentence was imposed but reclassified by the general assembly as a misdemeanor in the interim, prior to the time the motion to expunge is brought.
(6) “Other prohibited offenses” include:
(i) § 11-5-4 ("assault with dangerous weapon in dwelling house");
(ii) § 11-5-10.1 ("assault on persons sixty (60) years or older causing serious bodily injury");
(iii) § 11-5-10.2 ("assault on a person with severe impairments causing serious bodily injury");
(iv) § 11-5-10.4 ("assault on persons sixty (60) years of age or older by a caretaker causing serious bodily injury");
(v) § 11-5-14.1 ("assault on a child in care of DCYF causing serious bodily injury");
(vi) § 11-5-14.2 ("battery by an adult upon child ten (10) years of age or younger causing serious bodily injury");
(vii) § 11-9-5 ("cruelty to or neglect of child");
(viii) § 11-9-5.3 ("child abuse -- Brendan's law");
(ix) § 11-9-5.4 ("child endangerment");
(x) § 11-37.1-2(f) ("criminal offense against a victim who is a minor");
(xi) Chapter 47 of title 11 ("weapons");
(xii) Chapter 67.1 of title 11 ("uniform act on prevention of and remedies for human trafficking");
(xiii) § 31-26-1(d) ("duty to stop in accidents resulting in personal injury");
(xiv) § 31-27-1 ("driving so as to endanger, resulting in death");
(xv) § 31-27-2.2 ("driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, resulting in death").
(6)(7) “Records” and “records of conviction and/or probation” include all court records, all records in the possession of any state or local police department, the bureau of criminal identification, and the probation department, including, but not limited to, any fingerprints, photographs, physical measurements, or other records of identification. The terms “records” and LC003887 - Page 2 of 7 “records of conviction and/or probation” do not include the records and files of the department of attorney general which are not kept by the bureau of criminal identification in the ordinary course of the bureau’s business.
12-1.3-2. Motion for expungement.
(a) Any person who is a first offender may file a motion for the expungement of all records and records of conviction for a felony or misdemeanor by filing a motion in the court in which the conviction took place; provided, that no person who has been convicted of a crime of violence shall have his or her records and records of conviction expunged; and provided, that all outstanding court-imposed or court-related fees, fines, costs, assessments, charges, and/or any other monetary obligations have been paid, unless such amounts are reduced or waived by order of the court.
(b) Notwithstanding § 12-1.3-1(3) (“first offender”), any person who has been convicted of more than one misdemeanor, but fewer than six (6) misdemeanors, and has not been convicted of a felony, which is a crime of violence or other prohibited offenses, as defined in this chapter, may file a motion for the expungement of any or all of those misdemeanors by filing a motion in the court in which the convictions took place; provided that convictions for offenses under chapter 29 of title 12, § 31-27-2 or § 31-27-2.1 are not eligible for and may not be expunged under this subsection.
(c) Notwithstanding § 12-1.3-1(3) (“first offender”), any person who has been convicted of more than one felony, but fewer than five (5) felonies, and has not been convicted of a crime of violence, or other prohibited offenses, may file a motion for the expungement of any or all of those felonies by filing a motion in the court in which the convictions took place; provided that, convictions for offenses under chapter 29 of title 12, § 31-27-2 or § 31-27-2.1, crimes of violence and other prohibited offenses are not eligible for and may not be expunged under this subsection. Said person shall not be eligible to expunge the remainder of felony offenses otherwise not prohibited after a successful expungement subject to other provisions of this section.
(c)(d) Subject to subsection (a), a person may file a motion for the expungement of records relating to a misdemeanor conviction after five (5) years from the date of the completion of his or her sentence.
(d)(e) Subject to subsection (a), a person may file a motion for the expungement of records relating to a felony conviction after ten (10) years from the date of the completion of his or her sentence.
(e)(f) Subject to § 12-19-19(c), and without regard to subsections (a) through (c) of this section, a person may file a motion for the expungement of records relating to a deferred sentence upon its completion, after which the court will hold a hearing on the motion. LC003887 - Page 3 of 7
(f)(g) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a person may file a motion for the expungement of records relating to misdemeanor convictions after ten (10) years from the date of the completion of their last sentence.
(h) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a person may file a motion for the expungement of records relating to felony convictions after fifteen (15) years from the date of the completion of their last sentence.
(g)(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) through (f) of this section, a person may file a motion for the expungement of records related to an offense that has been decriminalized subsequent to the date of their conviction, after which the court will hold a hearing on the motion in the court in which the original conviction took place.
12-1.3-3. Motion for expungement — Notice — Hearing — Criteria for granting.
(a) Any person filing a motion for expungement of the records of his or her conviction pursuant to § 12-1.3-2 shall give notice of the hearing date set by the court to the department of the attorney general and the police department that originally brought the charge against the person at least ten (10) days prior to that date.
(b) The court, after the hearing at which all relevant testimony and information shall be considered, may, in its discretion, order the expungement of the records of conviction of the person filing the motion if it finds:
(1)(i) That in the five (5) years preceding the filing of the motion, if the conviction was for a misdemeanor, or in the ten (10) years preceding the filing of the motion, if the conviction was for a felony, the petitioner has not been convicted nor arrested for any felony or misdemeanor; there are no criminal proceedings pending against the person; that the person does not owe any outstanding court-imposed or court-related fees, fines, costs, assessments, or charges, unless such amounts are reduced or waived by order of the court; and he or she has exhibited good moral character;
(ii) That after a hearing held under the provisions of § 12-19-19(c), the court finds that the person has complied with all of the terms and conditions of the deferral agreement including, but not limited to, the payment in full of any court-ordered fines, fees, costs, assessments, and restitution to victims of crimes; there are no criminal proceedings pending against the person; and he or she has established good moral character. Provided, that no person who has been convicted of a crime of violence shall have their records relating to a deferred sentence expunged;or
(iii) Subject only to §§ 12-1.3-2(b) and(f)(g), that in the ten (10) years preceding the filing of the motion, if the convictions were for multiple misdemeanors, the petitioner has not been convicted nor arrested for any felony or misdemeanor; there are no criminal proceedings pending LC003887 - Page 4 of 7 against the person; and they have exhibited good moral character; and, provided that convictions for offenses under chapter 29 of title 12, § 31-27-2 or § 31-27-2.1 are not eligible and may not be expunged under this subsection.; or
(iv) Subject only to §§ 12-1.3-2 (c) and (h), that in the fifteen (15) years preceding the filing of the motion, if the convictions were for multiple felonies, the petitioner has not been convicted nor arrested for any felony or misdemeanor; there are no criminal proceedings pending against the person; and they have exhibited good moral character; and, provided that, convictions for offenses under chapter 29 of title 12, § 31-27-2 or § 31-27-2.1, crimes of violence and other prohibited offenses are not eligible and may not be expunged under this subsection.
(2) That the petitioner’s rehabilitation has been attained to the court’s satisfaction and the expungement of the records of his or her conviction is consistent with the public interest. The hearing judge may consider the person’s background, employment, community ties and involvement in their community and other relevant considerations, and make a determination upon the preponderance of the evidence that the person seeking expungement exhibits good moral character. No one factor that the hearing judge considers shall be determinative; provided, however, the judge may consider the person’s overall rehabilitative progress since their conviction. The judge may, but is not required to, order and/or request that the department of probation and parole provide a copy of the person’s probation/parole file for review before making a final determination.
(c) If the court grants the motion, it shall order all records and records of conviction relating to the conviction expunged and all index and other references to it removed from public inspection. A copy of the order of the court shall be sent to any law enforcement agency and other agency known by either the petitioner, the department of the attorney general, or the court to have possession of the records. Compliance with the order shall be according to the terms specified by the court.
(d) The defendant shall be advised at the hearing that any and all bail money relating to a case that remains on deposit and is not claimed at the time of expungement shall be escheated to the state’s general treasury in accordance with chapter 12 of title 8.
(e) In cases of expungement sought pursuant to § 12-1.3-2(g), the court shall, after a hearing at which it finds that all conditions of the original criminal sentence have been completed, and any and all fines, fees, and costs related to the conviction have been paid in full, order the expungement without cost to the petitioner. At the hearing, the court may require the petitioner to demonstrate that the prior criminal conviction would qualify as a decriminalized offense under current law. The demonstration may include, but is not limited to, an affidavit signed by the petitioner attesting to the fact that the prior conviction qualifies as a decriminalized offense under current Rhode Island LC003887 - Page 5 of 7 law.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
12-1.3-1. Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter only, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Crime of violence” includes murder, manslaughter, first-degree arson, kidnapping with intent to extort, robbery, larceny from the person, first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, first- and second-degree child molestation, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to rob, assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual assault, burglary, and entering a dwelling house with intent to commit murder, robbery, sexual assault, or larceny.
(2) “Expungement of records and records of conviction” means the sealing and retention of all records of a conviction and/or probation and the removal from active files of all records and information relating to conviction and/or probation.
(3) “First offender” means a person who has been convicted of a felony offense or a misdemeanor offense, and who has not been previously convicted of or placed on probation for a felony or a misdemeanor and against whom there is no criminal proceeding pending in any court.
(4) “Law enforcement agency” means a state police organization of this or any other state; the enforcement division of the department of environmental management; the office of the state fire marshal; the capitol police; a law enforcement agency of the federal government; and any agency, department, or bureau of the United States government that has as one of its functions the gathering of intelligence data.
(5) “Misdemeanor” includes, but is not limited to, those crimes previously classified as felonies under law at the time the original sentence was imposed but reclassified by the general assembly as a misdemeanor in the interim, prior to the time the motion to expunge is brought.
(6) “Other prohibited offenses” include:
(i) § 11-5-4 ("assault with dangerous weapon in dwelling house");
(ii) § 11-5-10.1 ("assault on persons sixty (60) years or older causing serious bodily injury");
(iii) § 11-5-10.2 ("assault on a person with severe impairments causing serious bodily injury");
(iv) § 11-5-10.4 ("assault on persons sixty (60) years of age or older by a caretaker causing serious bodily injury");
(v) § 11-5-14.1 ("assault on a child in care of DCYF causing serious bodily injury");
(vi) § 11-5-14.2 ("battery by an adult upon child ten (10) years of age or younger causing serious bodily injury");
(vii) § 11-9-5 ("cruelty to or neglect of child");
(viii) § 11-9-5.3 ("child abuse -- Brendan's law");
(ix) § 11-9-5.4 ("child endangerment");
(x) § 11-37.1-2(f) ("criminal offense against a victim who is a minor");
(xi) Chapter 47 of title 11 ("weapons");
(xii) Chapter 67.1 of title 11 ("uniform act on prevention of and remedies for human trafficking");
(xiii) § 31-26-1(d) ("duty to stop in accidents resulting in personal injury");
(xiv) § 31-27-1 ("driving so as to endanger, resulting in death");
(xv) § 31-27-2.2 ("driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, resulting in death").
12-1.3-2. Motion for expungement.
(a) Any person who is a first offender may file a motion for the expungement of all records and records of conviction for a felony or misdemeanor by filing a motion in the court in which the conviction took place; provided, that no person who has been convicted of a crime of violence shall have his or her records and records of conviction expunged; and provided, that all outstanding court-imposed or court-related fees, fines, costs, assessments, charges, and/or any other monetary obligations have been paid, unless such amounts are reduced or waived by order of the court.
(b) Notwithstanding § 12-1.3-1(3) (“first offender”), any person who has been convicted of more than one misdemeanor, but fewer than six (6) misdemeanors, and has not been convicted of a felony, which is a crime of violence or other prohibited offenses, as defined in this chapter, may file a motion for the expungement of any or all of those misdemeanors by filing a motion in the court in which the convictions took place; provided that convictions for offenses under chapter 29 of title 12, § 31-27-2 or § 31-27-2.1 are not eligible for and may not be expunged under this subsection.
(c) Notwithstanding § 12-1.3-1(3) (“first offender”), any person who has been convicted of more than one felony, but fewer than five (5) felonies, and has not been convicted of a crime of violence, or other prohibited offenses, may file a motion for the expungement of any or all of those felonies by filing a motion in the court in which the convictions took place; provided that, convictions for offenses under chapter 29 of title 12, § 31-27-2 or § 31-27-2.1, crimes of violence and other prohibited offenses are not eligible for and may not be expunged under this subsection. Said person shall not be eligible to expunge the remainder of felony offenses otherwise not prohibited after a successful expungement subject to other provisions of this section.
(h) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a person may file a motion for the expungement of records relating to felony convictions after fifteen (15) years from the date of the completion of their last sentence.
12-1.3-3. Motion for expungement — Notice — Hearing — Criteria for granting.
(a) Any person filing a motion for expungement of the records of his or her conviction pursuant to § 12-1.3-2 shall give notice of the hearing date set by the court to the department of the attorney general and the police department that originally brought the charge against the person at least ten (10) days prior to that date.
(b) The court, after the hearing at which all relevant testimony and information shall be considered, may, in its discretion, order the expungement of the records of conviction of the person filing the motion if it finds:
(1)(i) That in the five (5) years preceding the filing of the motion, if the conviction was for a misdemeanor, or in the ten (10) years preceding the filing of the motion, if the conviction was for a felony, the petitioner has not been convicted nor arrested for any felony or misdemeanor; there are no criminal proceedings pending against the person; that the person does not owe any outstanding court-imposed or court-related fees, fines, costs, assessments, or charges, unless such amounts are reduced or waived by order of the court; and he or she has exhibited good moral character;
(ii) That after a hearing held under the provisions of § 12-19-19(c), the court finds that the person has complied with all of the terms and conditions of the deferral agreement including, but not limited to, the payment in full of any court-ordered fines, fees, costs, assessments, and restitution to victims of crimes; there are no criminal proceedings pending against the person; and he or she has established good moral character. Provided, that no person who has been convicted of a crime of violence shall have their records relating to a deferred sentence expunged;
(iii) Subject only to §§ 12-1.3-2(b) and
(iv) Subject only to §§ 12-1.3-2 (c) and (h), that in the fifteen (15) years preceding the filing of the motion, if the convictions were for multiple felonies, the petitioner has not been convicted nor arrested for any felony or misdemeanor; there are no criminal proceedings pending against the person; and they have exhibited good moral character; and, provided that, convictions for offenses under chapter 29 of title 12, § 31-27-2 or § 31-27-2.1, crimes of violence and other prohibited offenses are not eligible and may not be expunged under this subsection.
(2) That the petitioner’s rehabilitation has been attained to the court’s satisfaction and the expungement of the records of his or her conviction is consistent with the public interest. The hearing judge may consider the person’s background, employment, community ties and involvement in their community and other relevant considerations, and make a determination upon the preponderance of the evidence that the person seeking expungement exhibits good moral character. No one factor that the hearing judge considers shall be determinative; provided, however, the judge may consider the person’s overall rehabilitative progress since their conviction. The judge may, but is not required to, order and/or request that the department of probation and parole provide a copy of the person’s probation/parole file for review before making a final determination.
(c) If the court grants the motion, it shall order all records and records of conviction relating to the conviction expunged and all index and other references to it removed from public inspection. A copy of the order of the court shall be sent to any law enforcement agency and other agency known by either the petitioner, the department of the attorney general, or the court to have possession of the records. Compliance with the order shall be according to the terms specified by the court.
(d) The defendant shall be advised at the hearing that any and all bail money relating to a case that remains on deposit and is not claimed at the time of expungement shall be escheated to the state’s general treasury in accordance with chapter 12 of title 8.
(e) In cases of expungement sought pursuant to § 12-1.3-2(g), the court shall, after a hearing at which it finds that all conditions of the original criminal sentence have been completed, and any and all fines, fees, and costs related to the conviction have been paid in full, order the expungement without cost to the petitioner. At the hearing, the court may require the petitioner to demonstrate that the prior criminal conviction would qualify as a decriminalized offense under current law. The demonstration may include, but is not limited to, an affidavit signed by the petitioner attesting to the fact that the prior conviction qualifies as a decriminalized offense under current Rhode Island LC003887 - Page 5 of 7 law.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.