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SB 3163

AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt LaMountain and 1 co-sponsor

The bill allows eviction records to be sealed after resolution under narrow conditions, expanding privacy protections especially for minors and certain young adults.

06/09/2026 Senate passed Sub A
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Bill Summary · SB 3163

Bill Summary — SB 3163 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY — RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Introduced: March 27, 2026
Sponsors: Senators Mack and LaMountain (co-sponsors)

Jurisdiction: Rhode Island, General Assembly, Senate Judiciary

Status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (as of April 28, 2026)

Effective Date: Takes effect upon passage

1) Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to expand the ability to seal eviction-related court records in certain residential landlord-tenant actions, particularly in cases arising under specific sections of the Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
  • It adds new grounds for sealing eviction records and clarifies process and limitations on sealing requests, with the goal of protecting individuals’ privacy in eviction proceedings under defined circumstances.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Amends § 34-18-60 (Sealing and unsealing of court files) to apply to actions arising under §§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36, and 34-18-38.

  • Sealing Timeline:

    • A party may file a motion to seal at least 30 days after the expiration of the appeal period following the conclusion of the underlying civil action.
    • The court may grant sealing if certain conditions are met (see below) and the moving party has no other sealing requests in the prior five years.

  • Grounds for Sealing (conditions to grant seal):

    • The underlying civil action was dismissed due to a motion to dismiss.
    • The action was resolved by stipulation with all terms satisfied.
    • Any monetary judgment against the moving party has been satisfied in full.
    • The action was dismissed for lack of prosecution after five years.
    • The moving party notified all parties to the underlying action of the sealing motion, and this is the moving party’s only request under this section within the prior five years.

  • Separate sealing rights:

    • Any party can file a motion to seal after meeting the above conditions, with a limit of one sealing request every five years.

  • Special considerations (eviction-specific nuances):

    • If the civil action is dismissed for a defective complaint and/or lack of jurisdiction, the court shall grant sealing.
    • Sealing of an eviction record under these subpoints does not count toward the five-year limit when considering eligibility for future eviction record sealing.

  • Eviction records involving minors or young adults:

    • The court must seal the record of any minor named in an eviction proceeding.
    • The court must seal the record of any individual aged 18–21 named in an eviction proceeding who did not execute the lease and has a familiar relationship with a named tenant.
    • Sealing of such records (minors or eligible young adults) and related electronic docket entries is exempt from counting toward the five-year sealing eligibility limit.

  • Procedures and accountability:

    • The act requires the court to seal following the expiration of the appeal period if the specified conditions are met, and it clarifies that certain eviction-related seals do not affect eligibility calculations for future sealing requests.

3) Who/What is Affected

  • Tenants and landlords involved in eviction-related actions under the specified sections (34-18-35, 34-18-36, 34-18-38).
  • Parties to eviction proceedings seeking to seal records post-resolution, dismissal, or lack-of-jurisdiction scenarios.
  • Minors named in eviction proceedings and young adults (ages 18–21) who did not sign the lease and have a familial relationship with a tenant.
  • Court records and electronic docket entries related to these eviction actions.

4) Procedural/Timeline Aspects

  • Filing Window: Motion to seal must be filed at least 30 days after the expiration of the appeal period following the conclusion of the underlying action.
  • Five-Year Limitation: Generally, one sealing request per five-year period per party; certain eviction-related seals (defective filings, jurisdiction issues, minor/young adult seals) may not count toward this five-year limit.
  • Post-Resolution: Sealing occurs after the appeal period has expired if conditions are satisfied.
  • Effective Date: The act takes effect upon passage and applies to actions and records accordingly.

Notes

  • The bill emphasizes privacy and privacy-related record management for eviction proceedings, with explicit protections for minors and certain young adults.
  • It introduces specific eligibility criteria and procedural steps to seal eviction records, aiming to balance transparency with individual privacy.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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