Connecticut Senate Bill SB00480

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/21
• Refer: 1/27/21

Caption

An Act Concerning Incarcerated Persons And Legislative Districts.

Impact

Should SB00480 be enacted, it would significantly alter how population data is represented in legislative districts, potentially shifting political representation. The bill seeks to counter the practice where towns housing correctional facilities often have an inflated population count due to the inclusion of incarcerated individuals. This practice can distort political representation and impact resource allocation in communities, making it vital for ensuring fair and equitable distribution based on actual community demographics.

Summary

SB00480, titled 'An Act Concerning Incarcerated Persons And Legislative Districts,' proposes an amendment to existing general statutes by mandating that the federal decennial census figures adjust the counting of incarcerated individuals. Specifically, it requires these individuals to be counted as residents of their last known residential address rather than their location of incarceration. This legislative change aims to reflect a more accurate demographic representation of communities in legislative districts affected by the presence of correctional facilities.

Contention

The bill presents points of contention as it touches upon sensitive issues related to criminal justice, representation, and population governance. Proponents of the bill argue that counting incarcerated individuals at their home addresses would enhance community representation and rectify inequities arising from current census practices. Critics, however, may argue that this could lead to decreased funding for certain districts that rely on the current census figures, generating disputes over the implications of changing how populations are counted and represented.