Bills affecting Formerly incarcerated or family of in Rhode Island — 2026 session

Adds probation and parole officers to the list of state law enforcement professionals, for purpose of retirement on service allowance.

Adds probation officer and parole officer to the list of public safety employees that are entitled to their full salary if they are injured and become disabled as a result of performance of their job duties.

Increases sentences for carrying a stolen firearm when committing a crime of violence and for possessing a stolen firearm. Requires that a person convicted of these offenses serve a period of time in which they would not be eligible for parole/ probation.

Requires courts to presume release for most probation violations, set reasonable bail or non-monetary conditions, limit detention to cases of risk or danger, require prompt hearings, and mandate written reasons for detention.

Prohibits defendants who are serving probation for driving under the influence death resulting from earning good time off their probationary period.

Allows expungement of multiple felony convictions for non-violent felonies10 years after sentence completed.

RELATED TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SENTENCING RECONSIDERATION ACT

Reduces the time for expungements to 3 years for a single misdemeanor and 5 years for felonies and multiple misdemeanors.

Authorizes the automatic expungement of eligible conviction records by operation of law, initiated and completed by state agencies through electronic processes established within the judicial system.

Permits those individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to have their records expunged and provides criteria for the court to consider in determining whether the person is of good character.

Allows expungement of multiple felony convictions for non-violent felonies10 years from the date of conviction.

Prohibits the imposition of a sentence of life without parole upon any person twenty-one (21) years of age or younger.

Makes persons convicted of simple possession of controlled substances, eligible to have their records expunged three (3) years after imposition of their sentence.

Makes persons convicted of petty misdemeanors eligible to have their records expunged one year after imposition of their sentence.

Requires one elector of the parole board to be a person directly impacted by the criminal justice system who has completed the probation/parole process three (3) or more years prior to selection with a professional background in certain enumerated areas.

Adds probation officers and parole officers to the definition of "police officer" for purposes of salary payments during line of duty illness or injury.

Permits the expungement of records 5 years after the imposition of sentence for misdemeanors and 10 years after the imposition of sentence for felonies, and if the sentence is greater than 10 years, then, upon successful completion of the sentence.

Allows a law enforcement agency to consider expunged records when issuing a license or permit to carry a pistol or revolver.

Makes persons convicted of petty misdemeanors and convicted of simple possession of controlled substances, eligible to have their records expunged three years after completion of their sentence.

Amends existing expungement laws to be consistent with the new 10-year lookback period required for DUI charges.