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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Shallcross Smith, Felix, Cruz, Potter, Stewart,
and Giraldo

     Date Introduced: May 30, 2025

     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 a finding that the moving party notified all parties to the underlying civil action of their

motion to seal the record and that motion is the only request made under this section by the moving

party within the previous five (5) years.

     (c) Any party to an action arising under §§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36, and 34-18-38 may file a

motion to seal the record of the action upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth in subsections

(a) and (b) of this section. Parties requesting seal of their record under this section are limited to

one request every five (5) years.

     (d) In ruling on a motion to seal when a civil action is dismissed for either a defective

complaint and/or lack of jurisdiction of the court, the court shall grant the motion and seal the

record, however, the sealing of an eviction record under this subsection shall not be counted when

considering a moving party’s eligibility to request the sealing of one eviction record in five (5)

years as set forth in § 34-18-60.

     (e) The court shall seal any minor named in an eviction proceeding, and electronic docket

entries related thereto. The sealing of an eviction record under this subsection shall not be counted

when considering a moving party’s eligibility to request the sealing of one eviction record in five

(5) years as set forth in § 34-18-60.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

***

     This act would allow for the sealing of eviction records when a case is dismissed for reasons

including, but not limited to, a defective complaint and/or lack of jurisdiction of the court. It would

also allow for the sealing of any minor named in an eviction proceeding. The sealing of a record

under these circumstances would not be counted in a tenant's right to petition for the sealing of one

eviction record in five (5) years in accordance with § 34-18-60.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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