Establishes a commission to promulgate rules, regulations and make recommendations to the governor as to petitions for pardons under Article IX, Section 13 of the Constitution of Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Pardon Commission Bill

This bill would create a formal commission in Rhode Island specifically focused on pardons — official forgiveness granted by the government to people who have been convicted of crimes. Currently, the Rhode Island Constitution gives the governor the power to grant pardons, but this bill would establish a structured body to help guide that process by developing rules and regulations and making formal recommendations to the governor about whether pardon requests should be approved.

The commission would review petitions — formal written requests — from people seeking pardons and then advise the governor on how to respond to those requests. By creating a dedicated body with established procedures, the bill aims to make the pardon process more organized, consistent, and transparent, rather than leaving decisions entirely to the governor's discretion without a standardized review process.

This bill primarily affects people who have been convicted of crimes in Rhode Island and are seeking a pardon, which can help clear or reduce the impact of a criminal record. It could also affect victims, families, and communities who have an interest in how pardon decisions are made. For the general public, the bill could bring greater accountability and clarity to a process that currently has limited formal structure.

The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which recommended holding it for further study, meaning lawmakers want more time to examine it before deciding whether to move it forward. It is scheduled for a hearing in April 2026.