2022 -- H 7892 | |
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LC004438 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Shekarchi, Ajello, Kislak, Williams, Felix, | |
Date Introduced: March 04, 2022 | |
Referred To: House Judiciary | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant |
2 | Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 34-18-58. Sealing and unsealing of court files. |
4 | (a) All actions arising under §§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36, and 34-18-38 shall be sealed upon |
5 | filing provided that, actions filed under §§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36, and 34-18-38 shall be unsealed as |
6 | described in subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section: |
7 | (1) Eviction actions arising under §§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36, and 34-18-38 shall be unsealed |
8 | upon entry of a final judgment in favor of the plaintiff after trial or default judgment; or |
9 | (2) Eviction actions arising under §§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36, and 34-18-38 resolved by |
10 | stipulation shall be unsealed upon motion filed by the plaintiff where the plaintiff demonstrates |
11 | either: |
12 | (i) The defendant breached the stipulation; or |
13 | (ii) The defendant continues to owe unpaid rent or damages to the plaintiff after vacating |
14 | the rental unit. |
15 | (b) All actions arising under §§ 34-18-35 and 34-18-38 shall be dismissed and sealed if the |
16 | past due rent is paid through a rent relief program. |
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1 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2022. |
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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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1 | This act would provide for the sealing and unsealing of court files in residential eviction |
2 | proceedings and provide that any eviction for nonpayment of rent, in which the rent arrearage is |
3 | paid through a rent relief program shall remain sealed permanently. |
4 | This act would take effect on July 1, 2022. |
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