Rhode Island Senate Bill S0628

Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/23
• Refer: 3/7/23

Caption

Residence Of Individuals In Government Custody Act

Impact

If passed, the bill would require the Department of Corrections to maintain a detailed electronic record of the historical residences of individuals entering custody from January 1, 2024. This would include their last known address and other demographic data. By May 1 of each year, the department is mandated to report this information to the Secretary of State. The Secretary is then tasked with ensuring that this data reflects the actual residential address during the preparation of redistricting population data. Such changes in law are anticipated to positively influence community representation in legislative districts and enhance electoral fairness.

Summary

Bill S0628, known as the 'Residence of Individuals in Government Custody Act', aims to amend the current election laws concerning how individuals in government custody, particularly those incarcerated, are counted for redistricting purposes in Rhode Island. The bill emphasizes the need for ensuring that individuals in custody are recognized as residents of their home addresses rather than their places of incarceration when population data is compiled for redistricting. This is crucial for fair representation, as the current census practices can lead to significant misrepresentation of certain communities who are heavily impacted by incarceration rates.

Contention

While supporters argue that this legislation is a necessary step toward rectifying the misallocation of representation due to census counting practices, there may be concerns regarding the practicality and implications of collecting sensitive personal information from incarcerated individuals. Critics might argue that the proposal may introduce administrative burdens on the Department of Corrections, especially regarding maintaining privacy and confidentiality. Additionally, there may be debates over the impact of such a realignment in representation on local governance and the distribution of state resources, particularly in communities with high incarceration rates.