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6/9/2026
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Assembly passes Craven, Bissaillon expungement expansion bill
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STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Robert E. Craven Sr. and Sen. Jacob E. Bissaillon that would make the possibility of criminal record expungement more widely available to help address barriers that make it difficult for many rehabilitated Rhode Islanders to lead successful lives.
“People make mistakes in their lives and if they take responsibility for their actions and turn their lives around for the better, they should not be penalized for their entire lives. This legislation will help people who sincerely want a fresh start to better their lives and contribute meaningfully to their community, and it’s the right and compassionate thing to do,” said Representative Craven (D-Dist. 32, North Kingstown).
“A criminal record, even for relatively minor crimes, can be a life sentence of poverty, housing insecurity, unemployment and poor job prospects, and numerous other problems. Expungement is an important tool for enabling our justice system to be truly rehabilitative. Allowing a wider group of people to access it will restore pathways to better lives and stronger communities, enabling so many more people to meet their needs and those of their families,” said Senator Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence). “Expungement is more than a justice issue. It’s a housing issue, an economic development issue, a crime prevention issue and a community building issue.”
Currently, first-time offenders qualify to have a felony expunged 10 years after completing their sentence if it is the only criminal charge on their record. The bill (2026-H 7079A, 2026-S 3036A) enables people to qualify for expungement of up to four felonies, but only for nonviolent offenses and not until 15 years after they have completed their final sentence. There are numerous crimes that would not be eligible for expungement, such as child endangerment, elder abuse and driving under the influence.
Expungement petitions are not automatically granted; it is up to a judge to determine whether the petitioner has successfully met the criteria and has fully rehabilitated, and whether it serves the public interest to grant the expungement. The bill maintains provisions ensuring that every case is reviewed individually with notice to and involvement of arresting agencies and the attorney general’s office; that the person seeking the expungement has demonstrated good character, has not been convicted of other misdemeanors or felonies in the last decade and has no pending criminal proceedings or unpaid fines or court fees; and that the court finds that the person has successfully rehabilitated.
The legislation now heads to the governor for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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