Update — July 2026: This bill was signed into law by Governor McKee on June 22, 2026 and took effect upon passage (2026 H 7079 Sub A / S 3036 Sub A). Rhode Islanders convicted of more than one but fewer than five non-violent felonies may now petition to expunge them 15 years after completing their last sentence, subject to the exclusions and judicial criteria below. The analysis that follows was published while the bill was still pending.

RI Multiple Felony Expungement Bill 2026: What H7079 Means for Your Record

Rhode Island is on the verge of the most significant expansion to its expungement law in years. On April 28, 2026, the House Judiciary Committee voted 10-to-5 to advance H7079, a bill that would allow people convicted of multiple non-violent felonies to petition for expungement of their criminal records.

The Senate already passed its companion bill, S 3036, on March 31, 2026. If the full House passes H7079 and the governor signs it, thousands of Rhode Islanders with older felony convictions could have a path to clear their records for the first time.

This guide explains what the bill would change, who would be eligible, which crimes are excluded, and what people with criminal records in Rhode Island should do right now. If you have questions about whether your record might qualify for expungement under current or proposed Rhode Island law, contact Marin & Murphy for a free consultation at (401) 228-8271.

What Rhode Island’s Current Expungement Law Allows

Before looking at what H7079 would change, it helps to understand what Rhode Island law currently permits. The state’s expungement statute was originally designed for first offenders, but has been expanded multiple times in 2021, 2023, and 2024.

Here is what the current law allows:

• Single misdemeanor conviction: Eligible for expungement 5 years after completing your sentence, provided you have no other convictions and have demonstrated good moral character.
• Single felony conviction: Eligible 10 years after completing your sentence, as long as the felony is not a crime of violence and you have had no further legal trouble.
• Multiple misdemeanors (2 to 5): Eligible 10 years after completion of your last sentence, excluding domestic violence, DUI, and refusal charges.
• Deferred sentences: Eligible for expungement immediately upon successful completion of the deferred sentence, with no waiting period.
• Marijuana convictions: Automatically expunged with no petition required.

Critically, current law does not allow expungement of more than one felony. If you have two or more felony convictions on your record, you currently have no path to expungement in Rhode Island, regardless of how long ago the convictions occurred or how your life has changed since then.

That is exactly what H7079 aims to fix.

How H7079 Would Expand Multiple Felony Expungement

The bill that cleared the House Judiciary Committee on April 28, 2026 would create a new pathway for individuals convicted of multiple felonies to petition for expungement. Here is what the proposed law would allow and require.

Who Would Be Eligible

Under H7079, you could petition to expunge your felony record if:

• You have fewer than five felony convictions (meaning up to four felonies).
• None of your felonies are crimes of violence or other specifically excluded offenses.
• You have completed all sentences, including probation and parole.
• You have demonstrated good moral character since completing your sentence.
• You have had no new arrests or convictions during the waiting period.

The 15-Year Waiting Period

The bill sets a 15-year waiting period for multiple felony expungement, measured from the date you completed your last sentence. This is longer than the current 10-year wait for a single felony.

The extended waiting period was one of the most debated aspects of the bill. Rep. Cherie Cruz, a leading expungement advocate who voted against H7079, argued that 15 years is too long: “Here we’re expanding the time, from 10 years to 15 years after they complete their last sentence,” she told the Providence Journal.

For people who served lengthy sentences followed by probation, the total time before eligibility could stretch to 25 or 30 years from the date of the original offense.

The “Good Moral Character” Requirement

Like current expungement law, H7079 requires petitioners to demonstrate good moral character. A judge evaluates this based on:

• Whether you have remained arrest-free and conviction-free during the waiting period.
• Evidence of rehabilitation, such as employment, education, and community involvement.
• Letters of support from employers, community leaders, or others who can attest to your character.
• Any other factors the court considers relevant.

If you are preparing for an expungement petition, an experienced Rhode Island expungement lawyer can help you build the strongest possible case by documenting your rehabilitation and gathering supporting evidence.

Current Law vs. H7079: Side-by-Side Comparison

Crimes That Cannot Be Expunged Under H7079

Rhode Island law already excludes certain crimes of violence from expungement. H7079 would keep all existing exclusions in place and add several new offenses to the list of crimes that cannot be expunged.

Currently Ineligible Crimes (No Change)

Under existing Rhode Island law, the following crimes are not eligible for expungement:

• Murder and manslaughter
• First- and second-degree sexual assault
• Child molestation
• Kidnapping
• Arson
• Robbery
• Burglary (first degree)
• Assault with intent to commit certain felonies

New Crimes Added by H7079

If H7079 becomes law, these additional offenses would also be permanently excluded from expungement:

• Driving under the influence resulting in death
• Failing to stop in accidents resulting in personal injury
• Assault with a dangerous weapon in a dwelling house
• Assault on persons 60 years or older causing serious bodily injury
• Assault on a person with severe impairments causing serious bodily injury
• Cruelty to or neglect of a child
• Child abuse
• Child endangerment

This expanded exclusion list was controversial. Rep. Cruz argued that it “just washes out the whole argument around employment and getting people back to work,” according to the Providence Journal. As the Journal reported, advocates pointed to cases like Dawn Tremble of West Warwick, who would be excluded from expungement under the new list despite having rebuilt her life over two decades following a DUI-related death conviction.

Why Expungement Matters: The Employment and Housing Barrier

The central argument for expanding expungement is straightforward: old criminal records create ongoing barriers to employment and housing, even for people who have fully served their sentences and rebuilt their lives.

During the House Judiciary Committee hearing on April 28, the vast majority of testimony supported expanding expungement. The Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights wrote in a letter of support, as reported by the Providence Journal: “Removing the stigma of a criminal record makes it easier for past offenders to work and pay taxes, thus benefiting the entire community.”

The data supports this. According to research cited by the Brookings Institution:

• One in three U.S. adults has a criminal record, making criminal records nearly as common as four-year college degrees.
• Nearly half of U.S. children have at least one parent with a criminal record.
• Stable employment is one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism.
• Only a small percentage of eligible individuals successfully navigate the petition-based expungement process, which is why some states are moving toward automatic expungement.

Lucy Rios, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, made a related point in testimony reported by the Providence Journal: “Many folks with criminal records experience difficulties in finding housing and employment … which can have fatal consequences for survivors of domestic violence for whom the likelihood of experiencing physical abuse or homicide increases greatly when their abuser is unemployed.”

If you have a criminal record that is affecting your ability to find work or housing, learn more about Rhode Island expungement eligibility or call (401) 228-8271 for a free consultation.

Other RI Expungement Bills to Watch in 2026

H7079 is not the only expungement legislation moving through the Rhode Island State House in 2026. Several other bills address related aspects of criminal record clearing.

HB7281: Reduced Waiting Periods

House Bill 7281 would significantly shorten the waiting periods for expungement across the board:

• Single misdemeanor: Reduced from 5 years to 3 years.
• Felonies and multiple misdemeanors: Reduced from 10 years to 5 years.

This bill takes the opposite approach from H7079 on timing. While H7079 would create a new 15-year pathway for multiple felonies, HB7281 would cut the existing waiting periods roughly in half.

The Rhode Island Clean Slate Act

Introduced in both the House and Senate in February 2026, the Clean Slate Act would automate the expungement process for eligible records. Instead of requiring individuals to file a petition, pay for a BCI report, and appear before a judge, the court would proactively identify and expunge eligible records on its own.

Advocates for the Clean Slate Act point to a fundamental problem: only a small percentage of people eligible for expungement under current law actually complete the process. The barriers of legal knowledge, paperwork, and court appearances prevent many eligible Rhode Islanders from clearing records they have a legal right to clear.

More than a dozen states have already enacted some version of clean slate legislation since 2018. The Rhode Island version could potentially benefit approximately 77,000 residents.

What Happened at the April 28 Committee Vote

The House Judiciary Committee voted 10-to-5 on April 28, 2026 to advance H7079 to the full House for a floor vote. The bill is the House companion to S 3036, which the Senate passed on March 31, 2026.

The lead sponsor, Rep. Robert E. Craven Sr., acknowledged the concerns raised during debate and promised to seek a compromise with the Senate before bringing the bill to a full House vote.

Two notable opponents were Reps. Leonela Felix and Cherie Cruz, both of whom have been leading advocates for expungement reform, as reported by the Providence Journal. Their objections focused on two issues:

1. The 15-year waiting period is too long. Cruz argued that expanding the waiting period from 10 to 15 years undermines the bill’s purpose of helping people move on with their lives.
2. The expanded exclusion list goes too far. By adding more crimes to the ineligible list, the bill would prevent some individuals from ever clearing their records, even for offenses committed decades ago.

The bill’s next stop is the full House for a vote. Given that the Senate has already passed its version, the key question is whether the two chambers can agree on the waiting period and the list of excluded crimes.

What Rhode Islanders with Multiple Felonies Should Do Right Now

Whether or not H7079 becomes law, there are steps you can take now to position yourself for expungement.

If You Have a Single Felony or Multiple Misdemeanors

You may already be eligible for expungement under current Rhode Island law. If you have completed your sentence and the required waiting period has passed, you do not need to wait for new legislation. Learn more about the current Rhode Island expungement process and eligibility requirements.

If You Have Multiple Felonies

Current law does not provide a path to expunge multiple felonies. If H7079 passes, you would need to:

• Complete all sentences, including any probation or parole.
• Wait 15 years from the date you completed your last sentence.
• Remain arrest-free and conviction-free throughout the waiting period.
• Gather evidence of rehabilitation, including employment records, community involvement, education, and character references.
• Verify that none of your convictions are on the excluded list of crimes that cannot be expunged.

Steps to Take Now, Regardless of the Bill’s Outcome

1. Order your BCI report. You can obtain a copy of your criminal record from the Rhode Island Bureau of Criminal Identification for $5, or free if you are 62 or older or have a qualifying disability. This report shows you exactly what is on your record.
2. Consult an attorney. Even if you are not yet eligible, a Rhode Island expungement lawyer can review your record, identify which convictions might be eligible now or under proposed law, and help you prepare.
3. Document your rehabilitation. Start collecting evidence of good moral character now: steady employment, community service, education, recovery program participation, and letters from people who know you.
4. Stay clean. Any new arrest or conviction during the waiting period restarts the clock and could permanently disqualify you.

What Happens Next in the Legislature

H7079 has cleared the House Judiciary Committee and now goes to the full House for a vote. The Senate has already passed its companion bill, S 3036. If both chambers pass their respective versions, a conference committee would resolve any differences before sending a final bill to the governor.

Rep. Craven Sr., the lead sponsor, has said he will work with the Senate to find common ground on the waiting period and exclusion list before calling for a full House vote.

We will update this page as the legislation progresses. To discuss how these changes could affect your specific situation, call Marin & Murphy at (401) 228-8271 for a free, confidential consultation.