2026 -- S 3163

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LC006154

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Mack, and LaMountain

     Date Introduced: March 27, 2026

     Referred To: Senate 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 this section.

     (e) The court shall seal the record, following the expiration of any appeal period, when a

tenant prevails following a hearing or trial before the court, 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 this section.

     (f) The court shall seal any minor named in an eviction proceeding, or any individual

between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21) named in an eviction proceeding who did

not execute the lease and has a familiar relationship with any tenant named in the 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 this section.

     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

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     This act would allow for the sealing of an eviction record for a defective complaint and/or

lack of jurisdiction, as well as for any minor named in an eviction proceeding or any individual

between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21) who did not sign a lease and is named in an

eviction proceeding. This act would allow the court to seal the record following the expiration of

any appeal period. 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.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC006154

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