Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H7079: 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.)
Status: Signed into law, June 22, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 14, 2026:
2026 -- H 7079 ======== LC003887 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS Introduced By: Representatives Craven, Biah, Cortvriend, Shanley, and O'Brien Date Introduced: January 14, 2026 Referred To: House Judiciary It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Sections 12-1.3-1, 12-1.3-2 and 12-1.3-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 121.3 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 …
Sponsors
- Robert Craven (D) · primary sponsor
- Nathan Biah (D)
- Terri-Denise Cortvriend (D, HD-072)
- Evan Shanley (D)
- William O'Brien (D)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed Sub A in concurrence
- : Placed on Senate Calendar
- : House passed Sub A
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- : Proposed Substitute
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Votes
- Senate Seq #642: (June 11, 2026): 35 yea, 3 nay, passed
- House Seq #402: PASSAGE (June 9, 2026): 61 yea, 12 nay, passed
- House Seq #401: PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT (June 9, 2026): 10 yea, 63 nay, failed
- House Seq #400: PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT (June 9, 2026): 11 yea, 62 nay, failed
- House Committee on Judiciary: Passage of Sub A (April 28, 2026): 10 yea, 5 nay, passed
Subjects: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
Common questions
- What is H7079?
- H7079 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): 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.).
- What is the status of H7079?
- Signed into law as of June 22, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 22, 2026).
- Who sponsored H7079?
- Robert Craven (D), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H7079?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7079A.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.