H8081/S3108 (2026): Expunged Records for Pistol Permit Decisions

Update: Held for Further Study (April 2026)

At hearings held April 8-14, 2026, the Rhode Island House and Senate Judiciary committees voted to hold this bill for further study — a procedural outcome that keeps the bill alive on the docket but defers any committee vote and halts advancement for this session. The bill has not passed. No further action is expected before the regular session ends in June 2026.^[99]

What the Bills Would Do

H8081 and its Senate companion S3108 would permit law enforcement agencies to access and consider expunged criminal records when making decisions on applications for licenses or permits to carry a pistol or revolver. Under current Rhode Island law, expunged records are generally treated as though the offense never occurred.

Sponsors

H8081 was introduced by Rep. Hagan McEntee (D) with cosponsors Reps. Justine Caldwell, Matthew Dawson, Tina Spears, William O'Brien, and John Edwards. S3108 was introduced by Sen. Louis DiPalma (D).

Current Status

H8081 was introduced on February 27, 2026 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. S3108 was introduced on March 13, 2026 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Neither bill has been scheduled for a hearing as of March 2026.

Context

These bills would create an exception to Rhode Island's expungement protections specifically for firearms licensing decisions. This follows the broader legislative trend toward strengthening the background check process for concealed carry permits, particularly in the wake of the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen, which struck down New York's "proper cause" requirement but affirmed states' authority to set objective criteria for permit issuance.