The bill amends Section 34-18-60 of the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to introduce provisions for sealing eviction records under specific circumstances. It allows the court to seal records when a civil action is dismissed due to a defective complaint or lack of jurisdiction, and this sealing will not count against a party's eligibility to request sealing of one eviction record within five years.

Additionally, the bill provides that if a tenant prevails in a hearing or trial, the court shall seal the record following the expiration of any appeal period, with the same eligibility consideration for sealing.

Furthermore, the bill allows individuals aged 18 to 21, who were named in an eviction action solely due to residency and not as parties to any lease or financial obligations, to request the sealing of their association with the eviction record. This request will only seal the individual's association and not the underlying court file. The bill specifies that no order for sealing will be issued unless the judiciary has established a mechanism to seal only the eligible individual's association without affecting the underlying case record. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
3163: 34-18-60
3163  SUB A: 34-18-60