Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8385: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT (Allows sealing of eviction records for defective complaint o
Status: Failed, May 19, 2026
AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT (Allows sealing of eviction records for defective complaint or lack of jurisdiction for individuals between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21) who didn't sign the lease.)
What the bill says
From the introduced text, April 1, 2026:
2026 -- H 8385 ======== LC006198 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT Introduced By: Representatives Cruz, Potter, Stewart, Kislak, Tanzi, Furtado, Sanchez, and Morales Date Introduced: April 01, 2026 Referred To: House Judiciary It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Section 34-18-60 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18 entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" is hereby amended to read as follows: 34-18-60. Sealing and unsealing of court files. (a) Actions arising under §§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36, and 34-18-38 may be sealed by the court upon motion by any party or parties filed at least thirty (30) days after the expiration of the appeal period following the conclusion of the underlying civil action. (b) In ruling on the motion to seal, the court shall grant the motion and seal the record of the civil action upon a finding that the underlying civil action was dismissed as a result of a motion to dismiss, the action was resolved by stipulation and the terms of the stipulation have been satisfied by the parties, any monetary judgment against the moving party has been satisfied in full, or the action has been dismissed for lack of prosecution after a five-year (5) period. The court shall also make …
Sponsors
- Cherie Cruz (D, HD-058) · primary sponsor
- Brandon Potter (D, HD-016)
- Jennifer Stewart (D, HD-059)
- Rebecca Kislak (D, HD-004)
- Teresa Tanzi (D, HD-034)
- Jenni Azanero Furtado (D, HD-064)
- Enrique Sanchez (D, HD-009)
- David Morales (D, HD-007)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
- : Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
Subjects: PROPERTY
Common questions
- What is H8385?
- H8385 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT (Allows sealing of eviction records for defective complaint o.
- What does H8385 do?
- AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT (Allows sealing of eviction records for defective complaint or lack of jurisdiction for individuals between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21) who didn't sign the lease.)
- What is the status of H8385?
- Failed as of May 19, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (May 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8385?
- Cherie Cruz (D, HD-058), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H8385?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8385.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.