AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT (Provides for the sealing of eviction records under certain circumstances.)

H8111

2026 -- H 8111
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LC005674
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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:
Representatives Morales, Sanchez, Giraldo, Cruz, Potter, Tanzi, and
Cotter

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 34-18-60 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18 entitled "Residential
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Landlord and Tenant Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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34-18-60. Sealing and unsealing of court files.
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(a) Actions arising under §§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36, and 34-18-38 may be sealed by the court
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upon motion by any party or parties filed at least thirty (30) days after the expiration of the appeal
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period following the conclusion of the underlying civil action.
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(b) In ruling on the motion to seal, the court shall grant the motion and seal the record of
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the civil action upon a finding that the underlying civil action was dismissed as a result of a motion
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to dismiss, the action was resolved by stipulation and the terms of the stipulation have been satisfied
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by the parties, any monetary judgment against the moving party has been satisfied in full, or the
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action has been dismissed for lack of prosecution after a five-year (5) period. The court shall also
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make a finding that the moving party notified all parties to the underlying civil action of their
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motion to seal the record and that motion is the only request made under this section by the moving
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party within the previous five (5) years.
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(c) Any party to an action arising under §§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36, and 34-18-38 may file a
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motion to seal the record of the action upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth in subsections
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(a) and (b) of this section. Parties requesting seal of their record under this section are limited to
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one request every five (5) years.
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(d) In ruling on a motion to seal, when a civil action is dismissed, for either a defective

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complaint and/or lack of jurisdiction of the court, the court shall grant the motion and seal the
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record; however, the sealing of an eviction record under this subsection shall not be counted when
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considering a moving party’s eligibility to request the sealing of one eviction record in five (5)
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years, as set forth in § 34-18-60.
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(e) The court shall seal any minor named in an eviction proceeding, and electronic docket
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entries related thereto. The sealing of an eviction record under this subsection shall not be counted
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when considering a moving party’s eligibility to request the sealing of one eviction record in five
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(5) years as set forth in § 34-18-60.
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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 eviction records when a case is dismissed for reasons
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including, but not limited to, a defective complaint and/or lack of jurisdiction of the court. It would
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also allow for the sealing of any minor named in an eviction proceeding. The sealing of a record
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under these circumstances would not be counted in a tenant's right to petition for the sealing of one
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eviction record in five (5) years in accordance with § 34-18-60.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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