Makes persons who were convicted of crimes forty or more years ago eligible to have their records expunged, with certain exceptions.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: Expungement of Old Criminal Records

This bill would allow people in Rhode Island to apply to have their criminal records erased — a process called "expungement" — if their conviction happened 40 or more years ago. Expungement essentially seals or removes a criminal record from public view, meaning it generally would not show up in background checks. The bill includes certain exceptions, meaning not every old conviction would automatically qualify.

The people most directly affected would be older Rhode Islanders who were convicted of a crime decades ago and have carried that record ever since. Even after serving their sentence, a criminal record can make it harder to find jobs, housing, or loans. This bill would give those individuals a path to move forward without that old conviction continuing to follow them.

It's worth noting what this bill does not do: it does not automatically erase anyone's record. People would need to apply for expungement, and the exceptions in the bill mean some convictions — likely more serious ones — may still be ineligible. The details of which crimes are excluded are part of what lawmakers will examine during committee review.

The bill was introduced in the Rhode Island House and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It was postponed at the sponsor's request in early April 2026 and is scheduled for further consideration. No final vote has been taken yet.