Rhode Island Senate Bill S2305

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/26
• Refer: 1/23/26

Caption

Removes the five (5) year waiting period for filing a motion to seal an eviction court file. It also deletes the numerical limitation on filing seal requests.

Impact

The removal of the waiting period and numerical limitation on sealing requests is expected to significantly impact the housing market and tenant rights across the state. By facilitating easier access to record sealing, the bill supports individuals who may have faced eviction and are seeking to improve their circumstances. This could potentially lead to increased housing stability as individuals will find it easier to rent properties without the burden of prior eviction records affecting their applications.

Summary

Bill S2305 aims to amend the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act by removing the five-year waiting period currently required to file a motion to seal an eviction court file. This change is significant as it allows individuals to have their eviction records sealed more expediently, offering them a chance to move forward without the stigma attached to having an eviction on their record. The bill also removes the previous restriction that limited individuals to one request for record sealing every five years, thereby enabling multiple sealing requests in a shorter timeframe.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its potential positive outcomes for tenants, it may face contention from landlords and property management groups. Critics may argue that more permissive sealing of eviction records could hinder their ability to make informed decisions regarding potential tenants. Furthermore, there may be concerns over whether such changes might lead to increased rental risks for landlords, as they may be unable to adequately assess a tenant's rental history when past evictions are sealed.