The bill establishes a new chapter, titled "Commission on Pardons," within Title 13 of the General Laws concerning correctional institutions. This chapter creates a commission responsible for administering the application process for individuals seeking executive pardons as outlined in Article IX, Section 13 of the Rhode Island Constitution. The commission will evaluate applicants based on specific criteria, including completion of their sentence, eligibility for expungement, and status on probation. It is tasked with developing rules and regulations for the application process, including required documentation, response timelines, and eligibility criteria for recommendations to the governor.

The commission will consist of nine members appointed for two-year terms from various sectors, including the judicial branch, the attorney general's office, the public defender's office, and several community organizations focused on nonviolence, economic progress, reentry programs, and indigenous rights. The commission will submit names of recommended individuals for pardons to the governor, who retains the authority to present these names to the state senate for advice and consent. The act will take effect upon passage.