The bill amends the General Laws concerning the expungement of criminal records and motor vehicle offenses. It introduces new provisions that allow individuals to file for expungement of certain offenses, specifically excluding violent crimes. The bill establishes a ten-year waiting period for expungement of DUI charges under sections 31-27-2 and 31-27-2.1, which can be sought only after the completion of the sentence.

Additionally, the bill revises the expungement process for traffic offenses, particularly alcohol-related violations, which will now be expunged after ten years instead of five. It clarifies the implications of implied consent for chemical testing, removing previous language regarding penalties for refusal and emphasizing the importance of being informed about the implied consent notice.

The bill also includes provisions for motions for expungement, notice, hearing, and criteria for granting expungement. Overall, these amendments aim to align the expungement laws with the new ten-year lookback period for DUI charges and streamline the expungement process for certain offenses. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8082: 31-27-2.1, 31-41.1-10