The bill amends Section 12-1.3-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-1.3 entitled "Expungement of Criminal Records." The amendment includes changes to the effects of expungement and the access to expunged records. Specifically, it allows a person with an expunged record to claim they have never been convicted of that crime in most situations. However, the bill inserts new provisions that require disclosure of expunged convictions when applying for certain positions, such as law enforcement, bar admission, teaching certificates, coaching certificates, early childhood education facility employment, and now also for applicants for a license or permit to carry a pistol or revolver.

The bill also details who can access expunged records. It restricts the disclosure of expunged records to the individual whose record was expunged, sentencing courts, bar admission committees, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, and law enforcement agencies under certain circumstances. A new insertion specifies that law enforcement agencies can access expunged records when considering the issuance of a license or permit to carry a pistol or revolver. The bill imposes civil liability on any person or agency that willfully refuses to expunge records or willfully releases or allows access to expunged records. The act would take effect upon passage, and it also clarifies that law enforcement agencies may consider expunged records when issuing a license or permit to carry a pistol or revolver.